Gingerbread Cupcakes

Activity

• Read the story of the Gingerbread Boy.
• After you have read and discussed it with the children, explain that the children are going to make gingerbread in a very unusual way: in cups!
• The illustrations show how to cook the gingerbread in individual paper cups. Go through the picture directions and then let the children work independently in work stations.

• Station 1
  Put 3 level tablespoons of mix in each cup.
  Station 2
  Add 1 tablespoon of water and stir with a craft stick.
  Station 3
  The adult places four to six cups at a time in the electric skillet that has been preheated to 400F (200C). Cook for 10 - 15 minutes. the cake should spring back at the touch. Set aside tocool.
  Station 4
  Sit down and eat the gingerbread.

You Need

1. Story of the Gingerbread Boy
2. Gingerbread mix in a box, each child needs 3 level tablespoons of mix
3. Small pitcher of water
4. Wax-coated measure
5. Craft sticks, 1 per child
6. Electric skillet

Interest Area

Cooking and snack

Science and Math principle

Teaches about how gingerbread changes as it cooks.

Science and Math skill

Encourages children to compare the mixture to the cooked product.

Science & Math attitude

Develops children's patience.

More challenging for older children

Let the children organize the stations and make their own picture directions for this activity.

Modifications for younger children

Do this activity in small groups, and omit the work stations format. You will have to help the group perform certain tasks. Mark off a square area with red masking tape around the electricskillet, making the area and the skillet inside a "no touch" zone.

Questions you might ask

Can you describe how you made the gingerbread?

How do you think you know when the gingerbread is ready?

Extension

Make gingerbread cookies and compare the taste of cookies with the taste of cup-baked gingerbread.