Tips for Baking with Kids
Allowing your kids in the kitchen may seem like a dangerous idea as it doesn’t sound very kid-friendly. However, it can be a fun experience for everyone as long as you are prepared. Here are some tips I follow when I cook with my young kids.
1. Gingerbread Cookies
By Sally’s Baking Recipes There’s something about a classic gingerbread cookie that screams ‘holiday season’ and I think it’s easily one of everyone’s favorite Christmas cookies. These are perfect for cutouts and are chewy and delicious. Makes about 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
2/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup packed light or brown sugar 2/3 cup molasses 1 large egg, room temperature 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp ground ginger 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground allspice 1/2 tsp ground clove
Directions:
2. Peanut Butter Blossoms
These aren’t your average peanut butter cookies. Many households make these every holiday season as a family tradition and it’s easy to see why. These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good. Makes about 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
½ cup shortening ¾ cup peanut butter ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 2 teaspoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 bag milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
Directions:
3. Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
By ‘An Italian In My Kitchen’ If you enjoy butter cookies, these are the perfect choice for your family to try. They are so easy to make and are extra yummy with the tart cranberries. Makes 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1¾-2 cups all-purpose flour ⅔ cup + 1 tablespoon butter (softened) ⅓ cup + 1½ tablespoons sugar (caster/fine) 1 pinch salt ¼-½ cup dried cranberries
Directions:
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies
By Betty Crocker In my opinion, few things are better than an ooey gooey chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven. These are so yummy! Makes 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
• 2 1/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips cup coarsely chopped nuts (if desired)
Directions:
5. Snickerdoodles
These cookies are great any time of year. They are soft and chewy and give a nice kick of cinnamon to warm you up on a cold day.
Ingredients:
• 1 ½ cups sugar (plus an additional ¼ cup for powdering) ½ cup butter or margarine ½ cup shortening 2 eggs 2 ¾ cups flour 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Directions:
6. Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are a popular and easy Christmas cookie recipe. This sugar cookie recipe is ideal if you want cut-out cookies so you can use all sorts of shapes like Christmas trees, stars, and even bells.
Ingredients:
3 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
7. Peppermint Brownie Cookies
By Browned Butter Blondie Image Source: Browned Butter Blondie Chocolate and peppermint are such a great combination. These brownie cookies are soft and rich with a strong but not overwhelming peppermint flavor. Makes 1 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter 1 1/4 cups (240 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled 1/4 cup (30 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2/3 cup (133 g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 cup dark chocolate peppermint bark, chopped
Directions:
8. Candy Cane Cookies
By Taste of Home These may take a little more work to accomplish but they are worth it. They are not too sweet and may even be too pretty to eat. Makes 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring 1/2 cup peppermint candy, crushed 1/2 cup sugar
Directions:
9. Holiday Snowballs
These cookies are very similar to Mexican wedding cookies. We love these for their light, nutty flavor. Makes about 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter ½ cup confectioner’s sugar (plus an additional ½ cup for powdering) ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup finely chopped or ground nuts (walnuts, pecans, and almonds all work well) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 cups flour
Directions:
10. Hot Chocolate Cookies
By Love From The Oven Image Source: Love from the Oven A steaming cup of hot chocolate is perfect for the holidays. These cookies have the decadent chocolate and marshmallow flavor that everyone enjoys. Makes 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter softened 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 4 packages hot cocoa mix or 3/4 cups hot cocoa mix – (do not use sugar-free versions) 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup Mallow Bits (mini marshmallows do not work the same and can be a bit of a sticky mess)
Directions:
Are you ready to make the best Christmas cookie you ever tasted this year? Take a look here for some other dessert and baked good recipes for your family to enjoy!
