An easy recipe to make with kids

We’re in the thick of summertime, which means children are out of school and looking for things to do. One of our favorite ways to keep kids busy — and let them learn, too — is to cook and bake for others.

A perfect recipe for kids to bake is this one for corn muffins. A little different than our corn muffins baked at The Old Mill Restaurant, these have a little sugar, orange juice, and fresh blueberries. And best of all, you can make them with just a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon.

For summertime baking with children, all you really need is a wooden spoon and bowl. Some of the best muffins are made this way — beating with an electric mixer can over-mix the batter and make muffins tough. And with an ice cream scoop, kids can portion out the right amount of batter to fill the muffin pan.

Stone-ground grains from an 1830’s gristmill

Our cornmeal is stone-ground the old-fashioned way at our 1830 gristmill here in Pigeon Forge, TN. In nearly 200 years we are only on our second set of millstones, which weigh about a ton apiece. The stones rub together to grind the meal, and the power to turn the stones comes from the Little Pigeon River.

So, here’s to summer, kids at home, baking, and our American milling tradition nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains.