Cook up some tasty treats and sweet memories in the kitchen this holiday season with easy recipes you and your kids can prepare together. We’ve rustled up some seasonal favorites that will leave your belly humming holiday harmonies.
Garland Goodies
You won’t be biting off more than you can chew when you let your kids loose in the kitchen to create these edible holiday wreaths!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Green food coloring
- Small red candies, like red hots
- Red string licorice
Preparation:
- Microwave butter and marshmallows on high for about two minutes in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir occasionally to mix marshmallows and butter and prevent clumping. When the mixture is smooth, remove from the microwave and add food coloring until you reach a green hue you enjoy.
- Add Corn Flakes cereal to mixture. Stir until the cereal is evenly coated with the green liquid.
- Divide the warm cereal mixture evenly into approximately 8-12 clumps using a 1/4 cup dry measuring cup coated with cooking spray. Using sprayed fingers, quickly shape into individual wreaths.
- Press the red candies in clusters of three around the wreath to act as berries. Don’t forget to add a ribbon (the string licorice tied into a bow) as a finishing touch!
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
Can’t Catch These Cookies!
Create a cookie community in your kitchen with gingerbread people who will add a little pizzazz and personality to the baking items in your pantry.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, room-temperature
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- Gingerbread man shaped cookie-cutters
- Pre-made gel icing for decorating
- Assortment of candy and sprinkles for decorating
Preparation:
- With a helping hand, a large mixing bowl, and a little elbow grease, your kids can beat the butter and sugar together until it is light and fluffy. Next, add the molasses, egg and vanilla and beat well again. Make sure all ingredients are well mixed.
- In a separate bowl, help your kids sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Again, make sure all ingredients are well-mixed.
- Next, let your kids combine the two mixtures by stirring with a wooden spoon or, if you are willing to get a little messy, using their hands.
- Separate your dough into 3-4 pieces. Form into logs and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- When your refrigeration time is almost up, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and use a rolling pin to roll all 3-4 logs out to a thickness of approximately1/4-inch.
- Use cookie cutters to make gingerbread people.
- Bake 8-10 minutes on a greased cookie sheet. Let cool, then bring the gingerbread people to life with your kids’ creative decorating abilities.
You Cane Do It!
Even though it may taste like a standard sugar cookie, here’s a little something new you cane nibble on this holiday season.
Ingredients:
- 16-18 oz. package powdered sugar cookie mix (or you can use your own homemade sugar cookie dough)
- 1/3 cup butter, room-temperature
- 1 large egg
- 3 Tbsp. flour
- 1 tsp. peppermint extract
- Red food coloring
- 3 peppermint candy canes (optional)
- White frosting (optional)
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Help your kids dump the cookie mix into a large mixing bowl and add the softened butter, egg, and 1 Tbsp. of flour.
- Kids can use their hands or if you prefer, an electric mixer, to mix the dough until it’s soft.
- Next, divide the dough into two equal balls. Add peppermint extract to one ball. Knead it into the dough so it’s mixed in well. If the dough is feeling a bit too sticky, add another tablespoon of flour.
- Add red food coloring to the other ball. Start with a few drops and add more until you get a deep pink or red color that you like. If the dough is feeling a bit too sticky, add another tablespoon of flour.
- Pinch off one teaspoon of pink/red dough. Roll between your palms to form a rope about 3-5 inches long. Repeat this process with one teaspoon of the white dough.
- Place the ropes side-by-side and curve into a candy cane shape, pinching at the ends to seal. Place your cute candy canes on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake 7-10 minutes on a greased cookie sheet until cookies are lightly browned around the edges.
- To make your cane cookies extra sweet, mix crushed candy canes with white frosting and spread a thin layer across the top.
We’re Having A Ball!
You and your kids will have a ball with this no-bake treat that’s homemade in a hurry.
Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/2 cups peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter, room-temperature
- 3 and 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 cup of oatmeal (optional)
- 12 oz. bag of milk chocolate chips
- 2 Tbs. shortening or Vegetable Oil
Preparation:
- Melt the peanut butter and butter in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds. Stir the mixture with a fork to prevent clumping.
- Add the vanilla and oatmeal (if you choose to use it) and blend the mixture again.
- Add the powdered sugar. The mixture should now look thick and be a good consistency to roll into balls.
- Your kids can help you form dough into 1-inch balls by rolling it between their hands or you can also use a cereal spoon to measure out and shape the mixture. Place the balls onto a plate or cookie sheet. Place them in the freezer to chill for about an hour.
- Melt the chocolate chips and oil in the microwave.
- Now you’re ready to coat your dough balls with chocolate. You can use toothpicks, a spoon, or other kitchen tools for dipping. You can even drizzle the chocolate over the top of the dough if you’d like.
- Place the finished product in the freezer to chill. Keep them there until ready to serve. This no-bake treat is quite tasty in its frozen form.
Do you have a sweet recipe you’d like to share? We’d love to add some new flavor with your signature delights. If you’d like to submit a recipe or share photos of your cookie monsters in the kitchen, please email JumpStartTimes@adventure.com.
Has this left you needing a taste for more? Click on these links to find more recipes for getting your kids in the kitchen!
Filed under: Just for Fun! Tagged: | family activities, food
