Apple Pie & Little Hands: Baking Memories with My Toddlers

There’s something magical about autumn baking — the smell of cinnamon in the air, the sound of little hands mixing (and sneaking bites), and the cosy chaos that comes with baking with toddlers.

This week, we picked apples straight from our garden tree and turned them into the most comforting homemade apple pie. It wasn’t neat, it wasn’t perfect — but it was full of giggles, flour-covered faces, and those little moments that become core memories.

🍏 Why baking with toddlers matters

Baking has always been special to me. It’s how I switch off, slow down, and reconnect — both with myself and my kids. Letting my little ones help pour, stir, and “taste test” gives them a sense of pride, even if half the flour ends up on the floor.

And the best bit? It teaches patience (for all of us). Baking is a rhythm — waiting, mixing, watching — and that quiet focus is something I’ve learned to treasure amid the noise of motherhood.

🥧 The apple pie that started it all

We kept it simple — soft apples, a sprinkle of sugar, and a golden, buttery crust. My toddlers helped cut out strips of pastry for the top (and ate most of them raw before we even got to the oven).

If you want to recreate the same recipe, you can find my go-to family apple pie recipe here.

🍂 Baking as self-care

It’s easy to forget how grounding something as simple as baking can be. When life feels busy and my mind is racing, baking reminds me to be present — to focus on textures, smells, and moments instead of my to-do list.

This apple pie might not have been bakery-perfect, but as I watched my kids proudly serve it up, I realised it didn’t need to be. It was ours — messy, real, and completely perfect in its own way.

✨ Explore More Family Baking Ideas

If you love easy, family-friendly recipes, take a look through the rest of my recipes here on julianneats.com for more baking inspiration and cosy food ideas.

For a little seasonal self-care while your pie bakes, explore my Tropic Skincare page.

If you already have a Tropic Ambassador, please reach out to them to place your order.