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Storybook Baking List: 29 Picture Books With Real Recipes Inside

Updated: Nov 9

Reading and baking are two of my favorite things to do with my kids. Whether they're lost in a great story or watching their cookies rise in the oven, 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."

And sometimes, the best kind of magic happens when we can combine both—reading and baking!


Over the past ten years of raising three kids—and countless trips to the library—I’ve discovered some of the best children’s books with recipes that inspire storybook baking adventures.


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.


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.


🍰 The Storybook Baking List


Below are 29 beautiful children’s storybooks that include real recipes at the end (or on the back cover!).


Want this list in a printable PDF format color-coded by recipe type (cake, cookies, pie, etc)? [Click here to get it delivered straight to your inbox!].


1. Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon — 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 — 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 storybook to bake along with? 🍪I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments!


And if you know of any other books with recipes, please share — we’d love to keep adding to this magical list.


Want to bring more storybook baking fun to your child? Check out our baking classes for kids! Browse upcoming offerings at www.ittybittybakers.com/classes


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