Kids in the Kitchen: Baking

This is another video I did for Twiniversity Magazine.  The original article can be found at the link below. 

http://www.twiniversity.com/2015/07/kids-in-the-kitchen-baking-video-demo/

My kids have grown quite a bit since I made this video! 

I have great memories growing up being in the kitchen with my mom. I love to share that time with my kids as well. Being a former Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, I know the importance of teaching your kids to know their way around the kitchen. There are many skills that can be learned from cooking, such as reading, math skills, science principles, and so much more. Spending time with your kids is the best part, but there are also educational opportunities if you look for them. 

Russian Tea Cookies

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together ¾ cup shortening, ¼ cup brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar
2. Add 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and ¼ tsp almond extract and mix
3. Sift in 1 ¾ cup flour, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp baking powder and mix
4. Add ½ cup chopped pecans and mix again
5. Roll a small amount of dough into a ball and place a chocolate kiss in the middle. Form the dough around the kiss and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 9-12 min in a 350 degree oven
7. Let cool completely, then roll in powdered sugar

S’mores Cookie Bars

1. Cream ½ cup of softened butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar
2. Add 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix
3. Sift in 1 1/3 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ¼ tsp salt and mix
4. Crush a package of graham crackers into crumbs and add ¾ cup to the bowl and mix
5. Take ½ of the dough and flatten into the bottom of a greased 8×8 baking dish
6. Break apart 4 Hershey chocolate bars and place over the dough
7. Place a layer of marshmallows over the chocolate
8. Spread out some of the remaining graham cracker crumbs and roll out the remainder of the dough. Carefully place it on top of the marshmallows.
9. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 mins or until lightly brown. Let cool and cut into bars.

Sugar Cookie Pizza

1. Bake refrigerated sugar cookie dough according to the package instructions (or make your own)
2. Mix together 1 package of softened cream cheese and 1 container of marshmallow cream and spread over your cookies like frosting
3. Dice up a variety of fruits (bananas, blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, mandarin oranges, etc.) and decorate your cookie pizzas with them