May 14, 2025

Make Australian Fairy Bread with Global Sprouts

By Admin

Fairy bread is a simple Australian treat made with three ingredients: white bread, butter (or margarine), and colorful "hundreds and thousands" (nonpareil sprinkles). It’s a popular snack at kids’ parties and a fun way to introduce children to Australian food traditions.

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients: White bread, softened butter, and sprinkles.
Tools: Butter knife, cutting board, and a tray to catch stray sprinkles.
Steps:
1. Spread butter evenly on the bread.
2. Add sprinkles generously.
3. Cut into triangles or fun shapes and serve fresh.

This activity is perfect for kids aged 2–6, offering a hands-on way to practice kitchen skills and learn about Australian culture. For an added educational twist, use Global Sprouts activity boxes to explore Australia through maps, stories, and fun facts. Bonus: Celebrate National Fairy Bread Day on November 24th!

What You Need

Basic Ingredients

To create the perfect Fairy Bread, you'll want to start with the right ingredients for that classic taste and texture. Here's what you'll need:

Soft, white sandwich bread (think Wonder Bread)
Butter or margarine, softened (about 4 oz)
Nonpareil sprinkles (3-4 oz) – these are the tiny, round rainbow sprinkles known in Australia as "hundreds and thousands"

When choosing sprinkles, go for nonpareils specifically. You'll usually find them in the baking aisle. They deliver the crunch that makes Fairy Bread so delightful.

Safe Kitchen Tools

Since Fairy Bread is often made with kids, you'll want to use tools that are both safe and easy for little hands to handle. Here's what to have on hand:

A butter knife with a dull edge for safe spreading
A cutting board or clean work surface
A rimmed baking sheet to catch stray sprinkles
A small spoon or shaker for sprinkling
Paper towels for quick cleanup

Pro tip: Place the bread slices on a rimmed baking sheet before adding the sprinkles. This setup keeps the mess contained while giving kids plenty of space to work without worry.

Making Fairy Bread

Getting Ready

Start by clearing your counter and gathering all the ingredients and tools you'll need. Place everything on a rimmed baking sheet to keep your workspace tidy and organized. Make sure the butter is at room temperature - soft enough to spread easily, like peanut butter - so it doesn’t tear the bread.

Here’s a simple setup to keep things running smoothly:

Prep station: Center your rimmed baking sheet in your workspace.
Butter station: Keep the softened butter and a spreading knife within easy reach.
Sprinkles station: Place a shallow dish of sprinkles nearby for easy access.
Clean-up station: Have some paper towels on hand for quick cleanups.

"Fairy Bread is simply white bread, smothered in spreadable butter and covered with colorful sprinkles called 100's & 1000's." - Jessica Holmes

Once your station is ready and ingredients are prepped, it’s time to move on to assembling your Fairy Bread.

Putting It Together

Here’s where the magic happens! Follow these steps to create the perfect Fairy Bread:

Step	Action	Kid-Friendly Tips
Butter the bread	Spread butter evenly over the entire slice	Use a plastic knife for safety
Add sprinkles	Cover the buttered surface with sprinkles	Gently press the bread onto the sprinkles
Shape and serve	Cut into triangles or fun shapes	Try cookie cutters for extra flair

Start by spreading the butter generously across each slice, making sure to cover all the edges. This step is key - if you skimp on butter, the sprinkles won’t stick properly, and no one wants a sprinkle-less bite!

"Fairy bread is not only delicious but also a great activity for kids. It's easy for them to get involved in the kitchen and let their creativity shine." - Alyssa Rivers

After buttering, coat the bread with sprinkles. For an even layer, press the buttered side directly into the sprinkle dish. Then, cut the bread into triangles for the classic look, or use cookie cutters to create fun shapes that kids will love.

A quick tip: Serve Fairy Bread immediately after making it. The butter softens over time, and the sprinkles might start to fall off. For the best experience, time your preparation so this treat is enjoyed fresh and vibrant.

Learning While Making

Kitchen Math and Skills

Making Fairy Bread can be more than just a fun snack - it’s a chance to sneak in a little learning. Kids can count how many slices of bread they’ll need or practice basic addition by tallying up sprinkles. For younger ones, it’s a perfect opportunity to focus on identifying colors.

Here are some activities that help build skills along the way:

Activity	Skill	Learning Opportunity
Spreading butter	Fine motor control	Learning even coverage and pressure
Adding sprinkles	Hand-eye coordination	Estimating amounts and distributing evenly
Cutting shapes	Spatial awareness	Exploring geometric shapes and symmetry
Portioning	Basic math	Understanding fractions and equal sharing

Once these skills are in place, you can take it a step further by diving into the cultural background of this delightful treat.

Talking About Australia

Fairy Bread isn’t just a snack; it’s a slice of Australian tradition. You can spark a conversation with kids about Australia by sharing interesting facts. Did you know this treat first appeared in print in the Hobart Mercury back in April 1929? Use this as a chance to locate Tasmania on a map and talk about how Fairy Bread has become a staple at Australian parties. Don’t forget to circle November 24th on your calendar - that’s National Fairy Bread Day!

"It's like, the cheapest possible birthday treat you can think of. You get some white bread, butter it - right. And then you get what we call 100s and 1000s, then you pour it over the bread, and…'There you go kids!'" - Russell Crowe

"Fairy bread is a basic food, typically made with white bread spread with butter and then what we call 'hundreds and thousands,' or colorful, round sprinkles." - Lorraine Elliott, Australian food blogger and cookbook author

Using Global Sprouts Materials

Global Sprouts

To make this experience even more engaging, bring in resources from Global Sprouts to create an Australian-themed adventure in your kitchen. The activity box is packed with tools to bring the country’s culture to life.

Here are some ideas to extend the lesson:

Storytime: Read Australian storybooks included in the kit while enjoying your Fairy Bread.
Map Exploration: Use the Global Sprouts maps to trace the origins of this colorful snack.
Language Fun: Practice Australian words and phrases with language learning materials.
Creative Art: Let kids create artwork inspired by Australian themes while the bread is being prepared.

With these activities, you’ll turn a simple snack into a fun and educational journey!

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Tips and Changes

Tasks by Age

Fairy Bread is not just a treat - it’s a fun activity that can be adjusted for kids of different ages. Here’s how you can involve them safely:

Age Group	Safe Tasks	Adult Support Needed
2–3 years	Adding sprinkles to the bread	Full supervision; adults should handle spreading and cutting
4–5 years	Spreading softened butter and sprinkling decorations	Help with measuring and ensuring even spreading
6+ years	Completing all steps, including cutting	Guidance on safe knife use is essential

For toddlers, a plastic spreader is a great option to keep things safe.

Special Diets

You can tweak Fairy Bread to suit various dietary preferences while keeping it festive and fun:

Gluten-Free: Swap in certified gluten-free bread.
Dairy-Free: Use Nuttelex or another dairy-free spread instead of butter.
Healthier Choices: Opt for multigrain or oatmeal bread to add a bit of nutrition.

For a vegan-friendly version, pair Nuttelex with sprinkles from brands like Hopper or Dollar Sweets. If you’re looking for a savory twist, try spreading cream cheese and avocado instead.

These small adjustments ensure everyone can enjoy Fairy Bread, no matter their dietary needs or preferences.

Wrap-Up

Making Fairy Bread offers a delightful glimpse into Australian traditions. This humble treat, which has been a favorite at Australian children's birthday parties since the 1920s, is a simple yet meaningful way to bring a bit of that culture into your home.

For an even deeper connection, consider celebrating National Fairy Bread Day on November 24th. Pairing this celebration with Global Sprouts' cultural exploration materials can turn a fun kitchen activity into a rich learning experience about Australian customs.

Fairy Bread is more than just a snack - it's a chance to create memories and share stories. As kids spread butter and sprinkle those colorful hundreds and thousands, take the opportunity to share tales of Australia’s unique traditions and history.

Here are a few ways to keep the magic alive:

Celebrate National Fairy Bread Day with themed activities
Dive into more Australian traditions with your Global Sprouts materials
Add a creative twist by using holiday-themed sprinkles for special occasions

The charm of Fairy Bread lies in its simplicity - just three ingredients, yet it brings so much joy and curiosity. Whether it’s for a party, a holiday, or just a random afternoon, each slice is a small but meaningful way to explore the world and spark wonder at home.

FAQs

How can I make a Fairy Bread activity more engaging while teaching kids about Australian culture?

Making Fairy Bread can be more than just a fun snack - it’s also a chance to introduce kids to Australian traditions. Start by sharing the story behind Fairy Bread, a classic treat often found at Australian children's parties. To set the mood, you could play some Australian music, teach a few Aussie slang words, or even chat about iconic animals like kangaroos and koalas as the kids get creative with their bread.

For an extra layer of creativity, encourage the kids to arrange their sprinkles in patterns inspired by Aboriginal art or use colors from the Australian flag. It’s a simple, hands-on activity that combines tasty fun with a touch of cultural discovery!

How can I make Fairy Bread suitable for gluten-free or vegan diets?

To create a gluten-free version of Fairy Bread, opt for gluten-free bread and sprinkles that are clearly labeled as gluten-free. For a vegan twist, use vegan butter or margarine and confirm that the sprinkles don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. With these easy adjustments, you can make this fun and colorful snack suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.

What fun and educational activities can I combine with making Fairy Bread to teach kids about Australian culture?

Making Fairy Bread is a fun way to introduce kids to a slice of Australian life. While you’re whipping up this colorful treat, you can sprinkle in some fascinating tidbits about Australia’s unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, and quirky traditions. To make things even more engaging, teach them a few Aussie slang words - like saying ‘arvo’ for afternoon or calling a cookie a ‘bikkie’. It’s a playful way to bring language learning into the mix.

You could also share the story behind Fairy Bread and how it’s become a staple at Australian celebrations. To take it up a notch, let the kids decorate their Fairy Bread with patterns inspired by iconic Aussie landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House or the Great Barrier Reef. This hands-on activity not only gets their creativity flowing but also gives them a fun connection to a different part of the world.

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