Spunky ten-year-old Great Falls resident Maya Jindal is a current contestant on the Kids Baking Championship on Food Network. The former Loudoun County student is participating in the ten-week competition against other kids showing off their baking skills in a different weekly challenge. One person is sent home at the end of each show. The last baker standing will win $25,000 and the title of Kids Baking Champion.
We caught up with Maya, the self-proclaimed Mad Scientist in the Kitchen, recently to talk to her about her love of baking and her experience on the show. Watch the show and cheer for Maya on Mondays at 8pm on the Food Network.
When did you start baking and what inspired you to start baking?
I started baking when I was 4. The first dessert I ever made was an apple pie for Thanksgiving and now it's a tradition. I was inspired to bake by my mom, my grandma and food network because of all the creative ways to make desserts. Seemed like lots of fun. When most kids were watching cartoons I was watching food network.
What is your favorite thing to bake and do you have a signature dish?
One of my favorite things to bake is probably red velvet cupcakes because they are so decadent and delicious. I have two signature desserts- apple pie and brownies.
Do you have a recipe you would like to share with Macaroni Kid readers?
Sure, I can share my special brownie recipe.
Maya’s Brownie Recipe
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1.25 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (or can use melted chocolate chips)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Always add a dash of love and hope to each recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan.
In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Check on them though and make sure baked through but still moist.
Do you have a celebrity chef or baker that you look up to?
Yes, my celebrity baker that I look up to is Duff Goldman- he is my idol because if something goes wrong he always finds a way and maybe even a better way. I also believe people eat with their eyes and his cakes look so amazing!
Who is the best baker in your family and who is the best cook?
The best baker in my family is now me and the best cook is my sister Meera. She makes me the most delicious Indian food!
What is your favorite/least favorite thing to eat?
I love raspberries and Oreo cookies! It's hard for me to eat carrots and most nuts. They aren't my favorite.
How have things changed in your life since being a part of the Kids Baking Championship?
My life has changed because when I look at myself I see how much I have grown from this experience and learned. When you do something like this you have to put your mind and heart into it. I also gained 11 amazing friends! I am so grateful for this opportunity. I believe in myself even more now.
What are your baking plans after the show ends?
My plans are to continue baking and experimenting in the kitchen. I hope to have my own bakery and share my sweet treats with more people. Follow me at heart_and_sugar on Instagram and heart&sugar on Facebook.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us Maya. Good luck!
Maya’s mom, Sohini Gupta, owns the Bean Bar at the Village at Leesburg. Maya hopes to provide the sweets for the coffee shop, as well as her own shop one day. Be on the lookout for charity sales of her sweets at the Bean Bar one Sunday each month.
