A Betty Crocker Guide
Cracking an egg is a crucial step for any budding baker. Learning how to crack an egg properly without scattering pieces of shell can be tricky, but we’re here to share our top tips to help your little one learn this essential skill.
What Age Can You Teach Children to Crack an Egg?
Children can learn how to crack an egg from as young as two or three years old. It’s a great introduction to baking and encourages the whole family to get involved in the kitchen.
How to Crack an Egg Properly
- Step 1: Hold your egg in the middle as this position allows equal pressure to be distributed around the egg.
- Step 2: Firmly tap the egg on a flat surface. Avoid sharp-edged surfaces to prevent the egg from shattering.
- Step 3: As the small crack appears in the egg shell, use your fingers to pull it apart and let the egg flow out smoothly into your mixing bowl.
It’lll take a bit of practice but remember, every baker has got to start somewhere!
How to Crack an Egg with One Hand
Once your child has learned how to crack an egg with two hands, you can move on to the fun challenge of cracking an egg with one hand. Here's what you'll do:
- Hold the egg in the palm of your hand.
- Fold your little finger and ring finger underneath the egg.
- Hit the egg against a flat surface, causing it to crack.
- Using your thumb, index, and middle finger, gently pry the eggshell apart over a bowl.
Tips for Avoiding Mess When Baking
Baking often results in a messy kitchen, especially when it comes to cracking eggs. Throw a couple of children into the mix, and things can get really chaotic! Here are our top tips for keeping a tidy kitchen when baking with the family:
- Use a large mixing bowl to avoid spilling ingredients onto work surfaces.
- Cover your worktops with paper or a reusable plastic sheet.
- Keep containers nearby for waste including your cracked egg shells.
- Teach your kids to clean as they go, washing up at each stage of your baking journey.
Baking Recipes for Kids
Nothing beats the satisfaction of cracking an egg successfully, but it gets even better when delicious treats are involved! Try some of our easy recipes with your little ones:
Bake some muffins using our Chocolate Chunk Muffin Mix for some deliciously fluffy goodness!
For little cookie lovers, our Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix are perfect for sharing with the whole family.. Pro tip: separate the dough into small balls before baking, a perfect size for small hands, while subtly teaching them about shapes and sizes.
For more baking inspiration, check out our recipes to make the most of those egg cracking skills!