Materials
Simple recipe for basic sugar cookies
Ingredients, enough for six bite-size cookies per child, and materials as outlined in the recipe
Aprons (optional)Cookie cutters, one shape only
Three index cards, labeled, respectively, Sugar Cookies, No Sugar, No Leavening
Three plates
Large graph or chart paper with marker, set up to record information comparing the taste, color and smell of the cookies
Instructions
1. In preparation for this baking experiment, ask the children to put on their aprons and carefully wash their hands.
2. Assist the children as they follow the recipe, baking three batches of cookies: one regular (control) batch, one batch that is identical to the first except that the sugar is omitted and one batch that is identical to the first except that the leavening (baking powder and/or soda) is omitted. Keep the batches separated (by time or location) in the oven and on their cooling racks before moving them to the plates labeled with the index cards.
3. Give each child a "control" sugar cookie and ask the class to describe its taste, color, texture and smell. Record the responses in the appropriate areas of the chart. Repeat this step using the "no sugar" and "no leavening" cookies.
4. Ask the children to guess which of the three cookies would be the most popular with other children and to explain why.
5. Conduct a blind taste test, using volunteers from another class. Graph the results to determine whether your class's guess was correct. Discuss the outcome. Remember to point out that recipes are generally the result of experimentation!More to doLanguage: Encourage the children to brainstorm words to describe the taste, texture and smell of the cookies.
