Christmas Bake Sale Ideas Kids Can Help Make

There's something special about a bake sale table where the bakes were made by the very children buying (and selling) them. Wonky stars, extra sprinkles and a proud "I made that one!": that's what makes a school Christmas fair feel like Christmas.

These Christmas bake sale ideas are chosen so that little hands can do the fun bits. Every bake comes with a job for the kids, from cracking eggs and stirring batter to cutting out stars and showering on the sprinkles. The grown-ups just look after the oven (and the washing up).

So tie on the aprons, clear the kitchen table and let's bake for a good cause.

Ingredients

For the sponge

• 225g unsalted butter, softened
• 225g caster sugar
• 4 medium eggs
• 275g self-raising flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 4 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the snowy topping

• 300g icing sugar
• 3–4 tbsp water
• Festive sprinkles, such as stars, snowflakes or red and green hundreds and thousands
  

Method

1. Get ready (grown-up). Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan, gas mark 4). Grease the tin and line it with baking paper.
   
   
2. Weigh it out (kids). Let the children weigh the butter, sugar and flour into the bowl. It's great for counting, and it's surprisingly satisfying.
   
   
3. Crack the eggs (kids, ages 5+). Crack each egg into a cup first, so any stray shell is easy to fish out.
   
   
4. Mix it all in (kids). Add the baking powder, milk and vanilla, then take turns beating for 2 minutes until smooth. Counting to 100 is an excellent mixing timer.
   
   
5. Bake (grown-up). Spread the mixture into the tin and bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden and springy. A skewer should come out clean.
   
   
6. Cool (everyone). Leave in the tin for 10 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a wire rack. Waiting is the hardest job of all.
   
   
7. Ice (kids). Mix the icing sugar with the water a little at a time until thick, then spread it over the sponge with the back of a spoon.
   
   
8. Sprinkle (kids). Before the icing sets, shower over the festive sprinkles. Leave to set for an hour, then a grown-up cuts it into 24 squares.

Job for the youngest: the sprinkles, every time. The more festive, the faster it sells.

Our tip: this recipe contains no nuts, which makes it a safe choice for most school fairs. Always check your sprinkles' label, though.

More Christmas Bake Sale Ideas 

The best school bake sale ideas are bakes the children can genuinely help make. Here's what to bake, and who does what.

Getting Ready for the Bake Sale Together

The fun doesn't stop when the oven goes off. There are plenty more jobs little helpers can take on before the big day.

Wrapping and packing

• Bagging up: children can pop biscuits and gingerbread men into individual paper or cellophane bags. It's more hygienic and easier to sell.
  
  
• Ribbons and stickers: a festive ribbon or sticker on every bag makes the table look irresistible.
  
  
• Lining the tins: let them line boxes with baking paper and pack the bakes snugly for the journey to school.

Signs and prices

• Make the signs: a hand-drawn sign for each bake, with a name and a price, is far more charming than anything printed.
  
  
• Do the maths: older children can work out prices and "3 for" deals. It's sneaky maths practice they won't even notice.

Labels and allergens (a grown-up job)

Many schools are nut-free, and parents want to know what's in each bake. A grown-up should check the school's policy and label every bake with its main allergens (most contain wheat, egg and milk). Keep the labels from anything shop-bought, such as sprinkles or sweets.

On the day

Let your little bakers help run the stall. Nobody can resist a proud "I made this!", and it's the best bit of the whole bake sale.

Ready for the Christmas Fair?

A great bake sale isn't about perfect icing, it's about bakes the children made themselves. Expect crumbs on the tablecloth, proud faces and a jar full of coins for a good cause.

Looking for a raffle prize or tombola treat? Our Christmas bake and craft kits make brilliant prizes, and our bargain bundles are perfect for stocking up. Browse all of our bake and craft kits for more family baking fun.

For more festive inspiration, head back to our Christmas baking with kids guide.

Happy baking (and selling)!

Kate & Louise xx