COOKING WITH KIDS

Do you ever wonder, "Hey, what is something that my child and I can do together?" Recently I have taken up baking with my 2-year-old son, Chad. It is a challenge but it is also something really fun that we like to do together. Here are a few tips that I use BEFORE I make anything with Chad.

1. Go into it KNOWING that your little babe is going to want to help. This will help you be more patient!

2. Only do something that you are okay with them making a mess and possibly sticking their fingers in and eating. (For me if I am going to stick whatever it is I am making in the oven, then I'm okay with him sticking his fingers in.)

3. Make it a kid-friendly recipe. Something that they most likely can't hurt themselves doing. (I say most likely because I'm certain kids can hurt themselves doing ANYTHING.)

Here are some simple recipes I enjoy doing with Chad.

Cookies:

CHOCOLATE CHIP

• 3 Cubes Butter or Margarine
• 1½ cups White Sugar 
• 1½ Cups Brown Sugar 
• 4 Eggs 
• 2 teaspoon Vanilla 
• 2 teaspoon Baking Soda 
• 2 teaspoon Baking Powder 
• ½ teaspoon Salt 
• 6 Cups Flour 
• 1 bag (about 11 ounces) of Chocolate Chips (milk chocolate or semi-sweet, both are good)
  
  
  Combine first 5 ingredients until creamy, add Baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mix well. Add flour and than chocolate chips last. Shape into balls. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Aimee also insists that the secret is to under-bake these. After 8 minutes, they don’t look done, but use your own judgment. She is an expert cookie maker. Also, you don’t want to burn up your hand mixer because this is a stiff dough. You’ll probably have to mix the last few cups of flour in with a big spoon. Then add the chocolate chips. This makes a big batch, about 100 cookies, you may want to just make half.
  
  
  SUGAR COOKIES
  Cream together
  2/3 Cup Margarine
  1 Cup Sugar
  Mix the following 3 ingredients together then add to sugar and margarine mixture
  1/4 Cup Milk
  1 tsp Baking Soda
  1 tsp Vanilla
  Add
  2 Eggs
  1/4 tsp Salt
  3 1/2 Cups Flour
  MIX WELL
  
  
  Form dough into two "logs" slice logs about ¼ inch thick (sprinkle with sugar before baking ) bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes. 

  OR 
  Roll dough to ¼ inch thick and use cookie cutters.

BROWNIES:

• 1 Cup Margarine or Butter  
• 6 Tablespoons Cocoa 
• 2 Cups Sugar 
• 4 Eggs 
• 2 teaspoon Vanilla 
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder 
• 1 teaspoon Salt 
• 1½ Cups Flour
  
  
  In a saucepan on the stove melt margarine and then stir in cocoa. Remove from heat. Add sugar, eggs, salt, and vanilla and mix well. Stir in baking powder and flour, (use a big spoon) Put in a cake pan that has been sprayed with no stick spray or use shortening to grease it. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Frost with chocolate frosting, or cut into small squares when cooled. For Brownie bites shake in a bag with powdered sugar, or regular sugar.
  
  

MINI PIZZAS:

Flatten Refrigerator Biscuits with a glass dipped in flour. Spoon on a little Tomato Sauce and top with Shredded Cheese. Add any additional toppings or seasoning desired. Bake at 450° for about 10 minutes.

Possible Topping Ideas 

-Mini Pepperoni 

-Sausage 

-Ham 

-Peppers 

-Pineapple 

-Whatever Else You Can Think Of (that will fit)