She climbs the big tall ladder at the park by herself now. And dresses herself as soon as she wakes up. Always in a dress, mostly pink. She insists on closing every door we encounter. I wince at the shut and pray no tiny fingers are hurt in the crossfire. She sneaks sips of my black coffee and talks about how she can drink wine with me when she’s older. She’s in the thick of every dinner conversation, takes flaky salt on her avocado slices, and steals all my cookbooks and baking supplies off to her own kitchen. (See giveaway below.)
She’s three going on 21.
And when the mixer’s running, she’s right there next to it, usually with one hand on the top and the other on the side of the bowl, cradling it the same way she does her baby dolls. So when the KitchenAid Mini Mixer from Williams-Sonoma arrived the same week as her birthday, she claimed it as her own. And I didn’t tell her otherwise.
We made strawberry cake for her third birthday in the mini mixer. That’s the short story. And the long—I didn’t have a go-to recipe to whip out. To my surprise, there’s not a ton of Strawberry Cake recipes out there, and despite my cake interrogation efforts, she said strawberry cake every single time I asked. The repetition of questioning didn’t produce a different answer as I’d hoped. So we ad-libbed the toddler-friendly yogurt cake, Gâteau au Yaourt from Bringing up Bébé, and added strawberries. Baking a cake together seemed like the perfect gift for my little old soul.
In all its imperfection, it was perfect. To make the cake, we halved this recipe to make a single 6″ cake and really eye-balled things. We pureed 1 cup of whole strawberries with a splash of cream until smooth and ran it through a sieve to catch the larger bits. We swirled half the strawberry mixture into the batter (about 1/4 cup) and left out the milk from the original recipe. Then we used the rest in the yogurt whipped cream. Because pink frosting was imperative. This cake is lightly sweetened and dense, more like quick bread than birthday cake. It’s fit for breakfast, snacking, or a light dessert. But mostly, it’s the perfect recipe to bake with a little one who loves to bake.
Giveaway
Williams-Sonoma is sending one lucky winner an exclusive KitchenAid Mini Stand Mixer in Medallion Silver. This mixer is tiny but mighty. Measuring in at a little over a ruler high, it’s perfect for small spaces and small batches. The paddle attachment has a spatula edge so you don’t even have to scrape down the sides. I think my hand mixer is about to get mighty dusty, because this guy is just the right size for the everyday stuff. Hal’s just going to have to learn to share. Giveaway runs from 9/24–10/2/16 at 12am CST. Open to US Residents.
I’d make cookies. Been craving some good oatmeal raisin cookies.
Pizza dough…or the old standby -chocolate chip cookies
My go to chocolate chip cookies!
I would make pumpkin muffins!!!
Whipped cream for my coffee!!
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chocolate chips cookies, for sure!
I would start with something that everyone in our house enjoys, so my vote for first use would likely be a cookie recipe — probably Chocolate Chip Cookies. However, I might also make a bread recipe, such as Zucchini Bread or Banana Bread
My first recipe to prepare with a new mixer would probably be a batch of cookies
I would make chocolate cupcakes with mocha buttercream frosting.
Hmm…maybe some scones or muffins. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hal is 3?! She’s getting so big. I love that she knew what she wanted. I always asked for two birthday cakes so I wouldn’t have to decide. That little mixer is just her size. I’ve always wanted one but feel like they take up too much space. Maybe this is the perfect solution?! Does it still feel like it’s as fully functional as the big one?
I think I would make some yummy chocolate chip cookies, first thing!
I see lots of baking with my little guy in the future! A mixer would be the cherry on top for him. 🙂 Such a sweet post!
Halloween Sugar Cookies! ?
chocolate chip cookiesssssss!
Zucchini loaf! We have so many lovely zucchinis from our garden that we need to eat before they go bad!
The first thing I make…whipped cream! I love making homemade whipped cream (in my mom’s mixer and refuse to do so with my hand-held mixer). Getting ready to make a pumpkin tres leches this weekend..and dreaming of homemade whipped cream (:
Perfect batch of chocolate chip cookies
At 5 feet tall, I too want a mini Kitchenaid mixer! You know…to match with my fun sized self lol 😉 SO CUTE!!!
Challah for my family’s Friday night dinner!
I have been dying to make banana bread! iI wanted one of these mixers for ever!!!!!
I would probably make bread, tons of it!
First thing I make will be rosemary shortbread cookies.
Hmm I’d probably make something with zucchini because I have too many to make anything else;) btw I love the fireplace remodel update!!
Anything bread! I have been living the grad school life, which unfortunately mean no access to a mixer, because I live so far away from my friends and family (whose mixers I used all throughout undergrad)! I have dying to make yeasty homemade bread or my Papa’s sourdough pizza dough!!
I would whip cream! It never seems to come out quite right in my big mixer so I end up using my hand held.
I’d make cookies!
A strawberry banana smoothie!
Precious girl! I would make a bundt cake.
Brownies! Everyone loves some brownies! yum! Thanks for the giveaway!
I think I would try making cinnamon rolls!
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies!!!
Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins because yay fall!!
Ooooh LA LA 🙂
Chocolate chip cookies, hands down. I remember making them with my Grandmother in her mixer.
What a cute mixer! I would make meringue cookies – my recipe calls for two egg whites and that is too small an amount for my big mixer to handle well.
I know its not glamerous, but probably freezer fiber muffins. I had no idea they made a small mini one, perfect for our tiny apartment. Thanks faux Martha!!!
I would make some really delicious donuts. Probably pumpkin donuts….Yumm!
I would make a Jewish apple cake!
I would make pumpkin chocolate chip bars….tis the season!
So cute! Three is a great age. She sounds like my kinda girl!
The first recipe will be a toss up between pizza dough or chocolate chip cookie dough. Probably one after the other immediately.
I’m a big fan of whipping up some chocolate chip cookies!
some good ole chocolate chip cookies 🙂
pumpkin muffins!
Classic chocolate chip cookies!
butter cake!
Pumpkin cheesecake!
Hmmm – the FIRST thing to make? Possibly this recipe – it looks scrumptious! I’ve also been craving some jam filled sweet buns lately, so maybe the dough for those!
Pumpkin cookies!
meringues with chocolate and almonds
The first thing I would make is champagne cake! Its light, fluffy and just the right amount of sweet : )
Bread of some kind, most likely pizza dough, dinner rolls or cheese bread
I start basic with some classic chocolate chip cookies.
For next year’s birthday, Cooking Light used to have an excellent strawberry cake. I’ve made it many times and kids love it!
Oooh, how beautiful! I would love to make this cake if I was lucky enough to win this gorgeous mixer. Thank you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your gorgeous girl x
I would make coconut whipped cream, maybe to top off a banana cream pie – my favorite dessert before going vegan. I have never had a mixer and am always drooling for recipes that call for coconut whipped cream on top!
I would make cinnamon rolls!
The first thing I would make would be something pumpkin! Like pumpkin pound cake
A spice cake perfect for the fall weather.
I would make a small batch of meringues.
I would love to make chocolate chip cookies for my mom! they are her favorite!
Pie fillings! Yum!
Meringues, to serve with fresh strawberries and whipped cream!
cinnamon [email protected]
Chocolate chip cookies for sure! Who can resist a perfect chocolate chip cookie warm form the oven?
I would make carrot cakes.
I would make a small batch of my famous chocolate chip cookies!
I will make a bunch of cuppies!
I would make chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting!
I’ll be making a cheesecake.
I would make a tiny batch of cupcakes!
Brownies for sure!!
I would make one of my miniature cakes. I am a junior in high school and the designated birthday cake maker. I love to make Italian meringue frosting, and my favorite cake to make is either almond or lemon–everyone is a fan!
Chocolate chip cookies!
Homemade whipped cream!
Brownies! You can NEVER go wrong with brownies.
Dough for pierogies!
Cutest mixer in the world! I would have to make a yellow cake with chocolate frosting for my soon-to-be 5-year-old’s birthday.
I make my sister a German chocolate cake promised back in August.
I loved this post, it melted my heart completely. I remember being that little girl and the total enchantment with the baking experience.
Probably cookies. We love chocolate chip cookies around here. ?
I’m going with some German Chocolate cake! My great grandma’s secret recipe. 🙂
I would have to make a cake, usually any cake will do.
Wow, I didn’t know this size of kitchenaid existed — it might even fit under my super-low cabinets! 🙂 I would probably go for a simple cooke first — molasses is classic at our house. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Spice cake!
Lemon date bars
first thing?? marshmallows!! perhaps of the vanilla bean variety with black tiny flecks throughout, of course.
I’d make lemon poppyseed cake.
Just looking at this mixer makes me smile! 🙂
For its premier project, I would choose an autumn dessert made of apples or pumpkin. Then I would invite a baking buddy over to join in the fun!
Chocolate chip cookies-family favorite
Cake of course
I would make classic chocolate chip cookies to test out the new mixer!
Nutella chocolate chip cookies- with any one of my three daughters!
I want one of these so bad, I’m thinking of selling my proffesional to get one.
The first thing I’d make is croissants because I need practice and don’t have a stand mixer 🙁
Cookies! Classic chocolate chips
I have an awesome cheesecake recipe that I love to make.
Ooh tough question! I’d definitely try to perfect coconut cream – or give up and make pumpkin muffins. YUM!
Bread!!! Banana or pumpkin!
I’d make banana bread
Chocolate chip cookies- my moms recipe
I would make something with pumpkin!
My favourite sweet treat, and one of this first thing I learned to bake with my mom: chocolate chip cookies!
the picture of her standing on her tip toes is everything.
happy birthday sweet girl! and to a mama who gave her even more love this year.
i’d love a mini mixer, as we’re making plans to build a tiny house and my regular one will probably need to go. 🙂
My two and four year old boys would insist on cookies. Once they were asleep, I’d go for soufflé.
I would make.. hmm. Only one choice? Well I’d let my daughter pick between cupcakes for her, chocolate chip cookies or banana bread. Although I would like to try making donuts someday.
This is so cute! I’d make pumpkin bread!
Pound Cake!
Chocolate cake with my four year old. He shows most focus when baking (because he wants to lick spoons!)
Cookies with my babes!
Tart lemon bars with cardamom. Just the way my mother used to make. I can feel her standing next to me whenever I make them.
I’ve never had a mixer.Would love to have this.
I would make a pumpkin pound cake! Love, love the mini Kitchenaid mixer!
Cream cheese frosting!
I would make pumpkin cheesecake for my daughter’s birthday.
I would make chocolate chip cookies!
Looks perfect for whipped cream.
Bourbon Chocolate Chip Banana Bread would be the inaugural recipe, without a doubt!
I would make banana bread!
I LOVE the cookie cutters… where can I get them?
I’d make my grandmothers famous chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting.
A cake. I just saw one of these in target today and it’s adorable. Like the Shetland pony version of a horse. I am still rockin the classic white kitchen aid that I got as a gift from my (then) future mother in law 24 years ago. Still works like a charm.
Your daughter is adorable. Happy third to her.
What a beautiful post and a beautiful cake! I’d whip up some kind of spice cake with cream cheese frosting 🙂
One bowl, gluten free chocolate cake. It’s the moistest cake ever!
The first thing I would make is dark chocolate coffee cake with my daughter.
Cookies!
Ahh! The first thing I would whip up would be a batch of marshmallows!
fudgy chocolate chunk brownies!!!
I would make my mom’s delicious passed down zucchini bread recipe.
I would make an apple cake because it’s Fall!
I’d make cherry cheesecake!
That would be beyond perfect in my new stainless steel kitchen and I would make a lemon pound cake!
Brownies. Always brownies.
No question — a new mixer in my house would mean cookies, and lots of them!
Cake!
Got to go with a batch of eggless Chocolate Cookie Dough for homemade ice cream – if the dough makes it there after my constant “sampling.”
Funfetti cake with extra sprinkles and cake crumb
Bread
I love Autumn and now that it is officially here (even though the weather hasn’t gotten the memo), I have been wanting to bake zuccini bread, scones and rhubarb pie. But I think my first thing to make would actually be coffee cake!
The first thing I’d make is cookies! Chocolate Chip ones!
I’d make snickerdoodles with my niece!
I whip cream, real heavy cream whipped up to a stuff sugary pile and put some on some strawberries (eat those); and then I proceed to make an Angel Food Cake to eat with the rest of the strawberries and cream.
I would make pretzels!
I would make a small sweet bread and the glaze to go on top if I won thist mixer. Thanks.
I would use it to bring to my kids cooking class and let them experience the bliss of that lovely mixer,while creating their favorite pumpkin cookies! Thanks so much for sharing. By the way,can you let me know how you got such perfectly shaped letters atop your cake?
Depends on my mood, but definitely something sweet!
I would make homemade buttermilk pancakes, we make pancakes every Saturday morning as a family and my 2 year old daughter loves to help!
We would make whatever the boys’ wanted. They’d be so excited to have their own mixer – I’m sure it would be something sweet after careful contemplation.
I would make chocolate cupcakes!
I would make a chocolate cheese cake. Yum!
I make banana bread.
COOKIES!!!
Cookies! My household always wants cookies! 🙂
i would whip up a batch of good ol’ chocolate chip cookies!! with huge chocolate chunks and sea salt sprinkled on top 🙂
challah for rosh Hashana
Heading into the holidays I think I’d steer clear of sweets and see what savor items I could make. Corn bread, whipped feta spread, etc.
Pumpkin cookies !!!
I would make a multi-tier mini cake, mixing in something different in each layer. Now I can’t stop thinking about chocolate chips…
Coconut whipped cream!
zucchini bread!
A chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting for my husband’s upcoming birthday with the help of my three year old twin girls, of course!!
Love this! Some of my best memories from childhood are baking with my family – she’ll be thinking about these moments years down the line?. The first thing I’d make with the mini mixer would be dark chocolate eclairs stuffed with Bavarian cream!
Whipped cream! Since the big mixer is tooo big, I usually forego altogether, but this little guy looks perfect for that.
I would make a cheesecake! ugh! that is the favorite dessert(:
A batch of 12 cupcakes. I have a giant pro line mixer and it can’t handle a small amount of batter. I’d love to have the tiny one, too!
I would make Banana Bread or try my hand at Angelotti cookies.
I would make Marscapone cupcakes.
I would make my mom’s chocolate chip cookies 🙂
I would make cake. Definitely cake without question.
I need a little mixer. I’m renting the tiniest of apartments right now.
☺
cookies for sure!
I love this size of mixer. Brilliant!
Happy birthday to the tot!
Chocolate…anything chocolate…a recipe that requires the use of a mixer! 🙂 Fab giveaway!!
Fall is demanding that I make an apple bundt but, ignoring that autumnal voice, perhaps I will make my favorite carrot cake with browned sugar frosting! Can’t wait!
Love the fresh, strawberry letters!!!
If I win, I am going to make a pumpkin chocolate chip cake with chocolate icing.
Happy 3rd Birthday to your little helper!
I’d make a cheesecake (one of my very fave desserts)!
Cute mixer! Tough choice…cake or cookies? Depends on which daughter is home when I start baking!!!
A chocolate layer cake with peppermint frosting!!!
I would make a coconut cake with pineapple preserves between the layers!
Fresh strawberry cake is my fave! Hal is one smart & lucky gal! The first thing we’re making is monster cookies… YUM!
Perfect for my mini apartment!
Angel food cake
I would make cookies!
Love this cute little mixer!
I would make chocolate chip cookies!
I love that you made the team delete friendly yogurt cake from the book Bringing Up Bebé. I’ve wanted to try it so it’s nice to see someone else has done it!
I meant toddler friendly!
Cupcakes….most definitely 🙂
The first thing I would make is an Apple Whiskey Upside Down Cake! This mixer would be perfect in my humble little kitchen and could definitely step up my game.
I’d make brownies! They’re on my list.
My daughter is just a little under three, and I see so many of the same tendencies. It is so fun having a daughter. Would love to win this mixer, I’ve never had a stand mixer before!
My mom’s Apple Cake!
Hal’s independence and excitement about baking is so cute! It reminds me as a little girl 🙂 I would make pumpkin bread for sure. Fall is right around the corner!!
I’d definitely make chocolate chip cookies!
It would be so cute with my tiny dorm kitchen ahhh
Such a cute post. Chocolate chip cookies would be the first thing I would make!
What a cutie! I can totally see that she is 3 going on 21! If I won I would first make my Nana’s “Better than everything cake”.. which consists of vanilla cake, a custard, coconut, pineapple and whipped cream. She passed in May so this would be an honor!
The very first thing that I would make is a French Vanilla Cake.
Definitely cookies. I always try to have cookie dough in the freezer. You know, for emergencies.
My kids could use the mini right next to my mixer – we could stop fighting over add ingredients and just bake together!
I ❤️ pizza dough made (easier!) in a stand mixer.
My kids would make lemon bars.
No brainier–chocolate chip cookies!! The best comfort food.
The best chocolate lover brownies for my enormous sweet tooth!!
The first thing I’d make is a delicious cake with Italian meringue buttercream.
I would make my favorite chocolate chip cookies
I’d make pumpkin muffins!
My daughter and I would make a birthday cake, too–she’s almost three!
homemade cinnamon rolls, I’ve been wanting to try making them from scratch for forever!
If I won, the first thing I would make is classic chocolate chip cookies.
What a little sweetie! Definitely pumpkin bread!
I would make muffins!
Chocolate chip pumpkin muffins!
Until she turns 21, I’ll drink wine with you!!
First thing I would make would be my go-to chocolate chip cookies then this cake!!
I have a recipe for an apple cake with cream cheese frosting that’s amazing and not difficult (which is essential at the moment since my 3-week old baby is an unpredictable napper and always wakes up at the most inconvenient times).
Honey cake with my partner’s grandmother’s recipe!
I cannot believe how big she is!! Happy birthday!! And that cake looks stunning. ASAP making it!
I would make some cheesecake! Pumpkin cheesecake 🙂
Definitely homemade vanilla whipped cream! And to think I used to hate that stuff. For shame!
???
I would make pizza dough first! ?
Definitely would make some pizza dough
I’ll be sure to use it with my little girl when she’s old enough. She’s just 11 weeks old at the moment.
Angel food cake. Thank you for the awesome giveaway.
So cute!!! I would be ready to craigslist my current mixer for that one. In the spirit of the season, savory pumpkin rye bread would be the first thing I’d make.
This is amazing!! Apartment life isn’t conducive to the big mixer, but this size would fit great. I’d make a big batch of pumpkin scones first thing
Definitely cookie brownies! So, so delicious! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to make apple pie in little jelly jars – so piecrust is tops on my list 🙂
Italian Cream Cake! I mean, if you’re gonna break it in, you’ve gotta do it in style right?!
Rum cakes!
I would make white chocolate macadamia cookies!
What a great little mixer! I would make a pumpkin cake!
I would make a rum cake ……yes, definitely a rum cake!
Whip cream! The simplest thing but a common thing around our house!
I would love to make some sweet treats for a dear friend of mine!
I would make pizza crust & bread first!
I’d love to make snickerdoodles.
My granddaughter is obsessed with cracking eggs right now so a cake would be perfect in this perfect sized mixer but I secretly want to make her great-grandmother’s Snickerdoodle recipe amped up for fall with cardamom.
My Grandma’s chocolate chip cookies!
Mini muffins!
My daughter’s (6th) birthday cake! Always chocolate, every year, same answer no matter how many times I ask!
Cinnamon rolls!
lemon bars with the fresh lemons from my tree
My Mom’s Homemade German Chocolate Cake
I would attempt my first gluten-free recipe!
I’d make an Italian polenta cake. They are small but tasty. My daughter was just like yours when she was little. Always wanted to be in the kitchen. That is a super generous giveaway.
Also perfect for tiny Brooklyn apartments ?
breakfast bread for the family 🙂
The first thing I make is monster cookies!!
My kids love cookies cookies and more cookies!
Vanilla bean cupcakes!!
Oh I remember baking with my parents and grandparents at that age! I loved it! I would have flipped to have my very own mixer 🙂
Pumpkin bread!
Whipped cream, because little fingers love whipped cream!
The first thing I would make is lemon bars.
Chocolate chip cookies!
A small batch of cookies to send my daughter who just left for college.
I would make some chocolate pancakes.
I would make ALL the cookies, cakes, and breads!! This would fit so well in my tiny Chicago apartment! 🙂
Pumpkin bread absolutely!
Oooo I love all things mini! I’d make a birthday cake because homemade funfetti is everything!
Cake, cake, cake! It’s beautiful!! Love your gorgeous photos.
italian cream cake. Yum
Chocolate chip cookies! or maybe something festive for fall like pumpkin muffins
Cheesecake.
Cheesecake forever!
I have a mini kitchen and keep my kitchen aid in the basement. I have to be pretty motivated to lug it up, so a mini would be perfect! My 4 and 5 year old love to bake and I’ve been promising them we’d make chocolate chip cookies soon.
I have two birthdays in the next month – my husband’s and then my daughter’s, so birthday cakes.
Cookies
Macarons!
Ginger snaps!!
Looks like the perfect size for my household of 2 🙂
So many things to make, but I would probably start with a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies!
I would make our favorite chocolate chip cookies! Love this post and this new mixer. Just the right size for small batches and small helpers.
I feel like I must be doing something right because I have the exact same copper mixer. Wouldn’t this little one look great next to mine too? 🙂
Hi Melissa, still here and enjoying watching Hal grow! I would try the strawberry cake in her honor! Our kitchen space is limited so this win would be a big help.
Thanks for the opportunity! Mary Ann
Love this! Would be perfect for my tiny NYC apartment
Ginger muffins are at the top of the list.
I would make some muffins with either pumpkin or zucchini from the farmers market!
Definitely chocolate chip cookies. Always good.
What an adorable cake! I can’t wait to make it for my 3 year old 🙂
my grandmother’s gingersnaps!
So perfect and brilliant, KitchenAid! You’re right Faux Martha… so long hand mixer! ??
The first thing I would make would be chocolate cake from my great grandmas secret recipe book!
I would have to make pumpkin cinnamon rolls!
I would make a cake. With buttercream! It will be so much better than using my very old hand mixer!
What a perfect size! I’d make lemon pound cake.
Probably something with pumpkin! Tis the season!
So adorable! I would make my grandmothers favorite chocolate chip muffins first with the mixer!
Cookies- always cookies 🙂
I would make an Italian wedding cake ?
The first thing I would do once I received this mini-mixer is ask my 22 month old daughter what she wanted to make. The answer would be “cake, cake, daddy”. She loves being in the kitchen with me and we bake almost every weekend. We would open up a random cookbook, she would pick out the cake , and then ask for the mixer, flour, sugar, butter, power. She already knows how to work my Kitchenaid.
I’d make an apple cake to celebrate the beginning of fall!
Oh that mini is perfect for our low cabinets. First thing I’d make, chocolate chip cookies.
Omg so many things but since I just bought a bottle of apple cider and I’m fall obsessed right now most likely apple cider donuts ??
Carrot cake.
Banana pancakes for breakfast! It’s my girls favorite for Saturday mornings.
I bake with a bunch of neighborhood kids so it would depend what they were in the mood for! Some type of dessert either with chocolate or fruit! Or both 🙂
Beautiful cake and birthday girl! Good job, mama. 🙂
That is so cute! I love love love this size too! My mom will want one for Christmas!
Cinnamon buns. The aroma will awaken the family with anticipation and smiles!
If I won and received the mixer right away I could make New York Style Cheesecake for my daughter’s birthday
Yum! Perfect for my mini kitchen.
I would love to use this to make just the right amount of whipped cream to top dessert!
Looks perfect for my granddaughters’ birthday in 2 weeks. Thanks again for your wonderful and useful recipes.
I would make a chocolate cake.
I make my grandmothers pound cake with it lemon nonetheless it is delicious
Cheesecake! Without a doubt, that’s what I would make.
I would help my daughter bake a chocolate cake.
Probably my baby’s first birthday cake! It looks perfect for a little batch.
the first thing I make is brownies!!