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Lockdown Day 72 – In the Kitchen – Rusks

In the Kitchen

There is a definite chill in the air in the ever-darkening mornings. Winter is on its way! Time for wooly blankets, hot chocolate (tea/coffee) and some good old South African rusks!

* LU’S BREAKFAST RUSKS *

This is a great activity for children that allows them to use so many different skills – fine and gross motor skills, maths skills, language skills and spatial skills!

Make these rusks this afternoon, so that you have them ready for breakfast tomorrow.

INGREDIENTS

  • 375gr butter or margarine
  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 500ml buttermilk
  • 1kg self-raising flour
  • 1 TBSP baking powder
  • 5 cups breakfast cereal (anything you like – all bran, cornflakes, etc)
  • 1 TBSP salt

METHOD

  • As always, begin by collecting all the utensils required.
  • Next, invite the child to measure out all the required ingredients.
  • Preheat the oven to 180C.
  • Wash hands.
  • Grease a baking tray.
  • Wash hands again!
  • Put the butter and sugar into a microwaveable bowl (or in a pot) and bring them to melting.
  • Beat the buttermilk and eggs in a large bowl.
  • Carefully pour in the butter and sugar mix and stir well to combine.
  • Add all the dry ingredients.
  • Wash hands again and dig in!!! Guide the child to use her/his hands to thorough mix the ingredients.
  • Show the child how to pinch off a tablespoon sized ball of dough, roll it into a ball and start packing this into the baking tray. The balls need to be packed right next to each other in rows.
  • Once all the dough has been rolled and packed into the baking tray, wash hands again.
  • Bake the rusks at 180C for 45 – 60 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and lower the temperature to 70C.
  • Carefully use a butter (or blunt) knife to separate the rusks from each other and place them on a baking sheet (loosely).
  • Put the baking sheet back into the oven and let the rusks dry in the oven at 70C overnight.
  • Try to limit yourselves to one rusk per day!

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Remember to complete the cycle of activity by involving the child in cleaning up.

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Find all of our lockdown tips here – https://montessorisa.co.za/blog/