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Storybook Baking: 29 Picture Books Featuring Recipes to Bake with Kids

Updated: Oct 29

Reading and baking are two of my favorite things to do with my kids. I absolutely love seeing their wonder and excitement with both. Whether they're lost in a great story or watching their baking turn out just right, these activities are two of my favorite ways to make memories with them.


Collage of 29 colorful children's picture book covers featuring baking themes. Text: "Storybook Baking: 29 Picture Books Featuring Recipes to Bake with Kids."

It's even better when we find a storybook that contains a recipe. My kids love finishing the book and shouting, "Let's make the recipe!"


Bringing children's books to life through baking makes reading a sensory and engaging experience. It connects abstract concepts in stories to real-world actions.


Over the past ten years of raising three kids, along with countless trips to the local library, I've been able to compile a list of picture books that contain an accompanying recipe.


Many of these books are available at your local library, so you can find the book & recipe combo that’s just right for you and your child. For purchasing these books, check out our curated list on Amazon.


Here is the list of 29 storybooks with recipes included at the back or on the back cover. I like to call it my Storybook Baking List. To get a PDF download of the list delivered straight to your inbox, click here.


Storybook Baking List

1. Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon (included recipe: Sugar Cookies)

Two hands reach into a patterned cookie jar full of cookies. Text reads "Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar?" on a blue background.

2. Mr. Cookie Baker by Monica Wellington (included recipes: Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, Oatmeal Cookies)

A smiling baker stirs a bowl on a colorful book cover. Surrounded by cookie shapes, with text: "Mr. Cookie Baker" and "Monica Wellington."

3. Miss Poppy and the Honey Cake by Elizabeth MacDonald (included recipe: Honey Cake)

A pig rides a red bike with a honey cake through a country path, while a small dog follows. Cover of "Miss Poppy and the Honey Cake."

4. Cupcake by Charise Mericle Harper (included recipe: Vanilla Cupcakes)

Smiling cupcake illustration on blue with "Cupcake" text above. Multicolored polka dot background. Charise Mericle Harper credited below.

5. Bruno the Baker by Lars Klinting (included recipe: Bruno’s Cake)

Two beavers wearing aprons, one holding bread, on a book cover titled "BRUNO the Baker" by Lars Klinting. Red-bordered background.

6. Cook-A-Doodle-Doo by Janet Stevens (included recipe: Strawberry Shortcake)

Chicken gazes at a layered cake with strawberries and cream. The book cover reads "Cook-a-Doodle-Doo!" by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel.

7. Valentine’s Day Treats by Tara Knudson (included recipes: Valentine Heart Cake and Rice Krispie Treats)

Three raccoons exchange Valentine's cards around a pink cake. "Valentine's Day Treats" text with hearts and balloons in the background.

8. Tyler Makes a Birthday Cake by Tyler Florence (included recipe: Carrot Cake)

Child chef and dog with party hat admire birthday cake with lit candles. Text: "Tyler Makes a Birthday Cake!" Blue background.

9. Baking Day at Grandma’s by Anika Denise (included recipe: Chocolate Sheet Cake)

Three bear cubs in aprons dance joyfully while a larger bear holds a mixing bowl. Text: "Baking Day at Grandma's." Cozy kitchen setting.

10. Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington (included recipe: Applesauce Cake)

Child picking apples from a tree under a bright sun. Surrounding apples and text say "Apple Farmer Annie" by Monica Wellington. Colorful, cheerful.

11. Whopper Cake by Karma Wilson (included recipe: Chocolate Cake)

People on ladders mix chocolate in a large pot under a yellow sky. A mouse and droplets are visible. Text: Whopper Cake, Karma Wilson, Will Hillenbrand.

12. Pop Pop and Me and a Recipe by Irene Smalls (included recipe: Lemon Bar Cake)

Grandfather and child wearing a chef hat share a spoon joyfully on a book cover titled "Pop Pop and Me and a Recipe" by Irene Smalls.

13. Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco (included recipe: Thunder Cake)

A woman and child in a patterned dress stand in a field with geese, pointing ahead under stormy skies. Text reads "Thunder Cake."

14. The Carrot Cake Catastrophe! by Elizabeth Dale (included recipe: Carrot Cake)

A bunny mixing ingredients in a large bowl in a kitchen. Bright colors, carrots, and baking supplies. Text: The Carrot Cake Catastrophe.

15. Pizza Day by Melissa Iwai (included recipe: Garden Pizza)

Child excitedly holds pizza, wide-eyed, with green background. Title "Pizza Day" and author "Melissa Iwai" in bold letters. Warm, fun mood.

16. Pizza at Sally’s by Monica Wellington (included recipe: Sally’s Pizza)

A cheerful group cuts pizza. Bright yellow border, images of a tomato, cheese, pizza tools. "Pizza at Sally's" and "Monica Wellington" text.

17. Every Night is Pizza Night by Kenji-Lopez Alt (included recipe: Pan Pizza)

Colorful children's book cover titled Every Night Is Pizza Night. Features a joyful child and dog with pizza slices, set against a vibrant blue background.

18. How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A. by Marjorie Priceman (included recipe: Cherry Pie)

Child with straw hat and yellow dog sail on a boat. Text: "How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the U.S.A." Nautical theme, cheerful mood.

19. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman (included recipe: Apple Pie)

A girl with a suitcase floats under a red and white parachute in a blue sky. The book title reads, How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World.

20. How to Grow an Apple Pie by Beth Charles (included recipe: Sophie’s Apple Pie)

A girl holds an apple pie in a garden with apple trees, a ladder, and crates of apples. Text: "HOW TO GROW AN APPLE PIE" by Beth Charles.

21. Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie by Herman Charles (included recipe: Apple Pie)

Girl in a red apron holds an apple in a sunny, grassy market. Stalls, trees, and cheerful mood. Text: Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie.

22. Tiny Pie by Mark Bailey and Michael Oatman (included recipe: Tiny Apple Pies)

An elephant eats a pie from a chef mouse on a teal background. The title "Tiny Pie" is above. The elephant is in a red dress, looking pleased.

23. Blueberry Cake by Sara Dillard (included recipe: Blueberry Cake)

A bear is peeking out from a patch of blueberries. The text reads "Blueberry Cake" by Sarah Dillard. Bright and cheerful mood.

24. Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Maniac Muffins by Chris Monroe (included recipe: Blueberry Muffins)

Monkey in a tool belt holds utensils on a bright red book cover with muffins, tools, and text: "Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Maniac Muffins."

25. The Little Red Hen by Mary Finch (included recipe: Tasty Bread)

A red hen and a mouse on wheat against a blue checkered background. Text: "The Little Red Hen" by Mary Finch, Kate Slater, Debra Messing.

26. Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin (included recipe: Cranberry Bread)

Cover of "Cranberry Thanksgiving" by Wende and Harry Devlin. Two figures run toward a cottage under autumn trees. Red title with berries.

27. Christmas Cookie Day by Tara Knudson (included recipe: Christmas Cookies)


Two bears bake cookies on a book cover titled Christmas Cookie Day. The background is green with festive cookie illustrations.

28. Gingerbread Mouse by Katy Bratun (included recipe: Gingerbread Cookies)


A mouse in a dress holds a sack outside a candy-decorated gingerbread house, with snow, trees, a snowman, and the text Gingerbread Mouse.

29. Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett (included recipe: Gingerbread Baby)

Gingerbread Baby holding a spoon in a decorative bowl with snowy mountains and cabin in the background. Artwork by Jan Brett.

Do you have a favorite book on this list? Tell us in the comments below.


If you know of any books with recipes not listed, please let me know!



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