Try a delicious and very simple scratch made cookie even toddlers can help make

I love to bake during the holidays.  Some of my favorite cookies are more difficult to make.  But what if I want to bake with kids....small kids?  I have the perfect recipe for that. 

Kids always seem to love making cutout cookies, but with all the fabulous cookies I make, I do not enjoy making cutouts.  So in my hunt to find something that tasted like a sugar cookie but did not require that I spend hours rolling, cutting and worst off, decorating them, I found a recipe for No Roll Sugar Cookies.  The original recipe was different and still required a little patience to complete.  I do not remember the original source of the recipe, but we made several changes to it anyway.

The recipe is simple and uses ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.  You can use sprinkles, colored sugar or leave them plain.  You can also color the dough with food coloring if you like. 

To show you how easy these are to make, my friend Tram Mai who is on Channel 12 in Phoenix prepared these cookies with her twins. 

There are a few hints that will make these cookies successful.  First, you can use the heel of your hand to press the cookies from a ball into a disc.  Be sure to press hard enough so they are about 1/4 to 1/2" thick.  Not pressing them hard enough will make the cookies very thick and may not bake as nicely.  If 'little hands' are doing this, you may want to assist with the pressing to make sure they are not too thick.  Second, and I learned this from my friend, Tram, it works really well to use sprinkles that are in a shaker top.  It certainly creates less mess.

This picture was taken for a TV segment with Tram and her adorable twins Zak and Zoey actually making the cookies.  They are about 2 1/2.  I told you they are easy...and tasty too.

Here's the recipe.  They are delicious and will be wonderful on your cookie platter.  One other plus; we are at 5700 feet altitude and no adjustments are needed for these.

No Roll Sugar Cookies 

Prep time 30 minutes;

Bake time 10 minutes

Makes 42 cookies 

• 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup powdered 10x sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cream of tartar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup sprinkles (jimmies) or colored sugar 

Heat oven to 375°. 

Beat butter, margarine and both sugars in a large bowl until fluffy.  Beat in egg and vanilla until well blended.  Beat remaining ingredients in with mixer on low until just blended.  Do not overmix. 

Roll tablespoons of dough into 1 inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.   

The easiest way I found to shape these is to press the balls with the palm of your hand, then put sprinkles on the cookies, lightly pressing sprinkles into the dough.   

 You can also put plastic on the cookie ball and press with a glass, then spread sprinkles on top. 

Bake about 10 minutes or until cookies are lightly golden.  Cool on a wire rack. 

Sign your kids up for the Kids Baking Championship

Parents, do you have kids that love to bake?  Food Network is seeking talented kids ages 8-13 (particularly boys and diverse children) with the ability to bake a variety of different dishes, from scratch. Contestants will be selected to appear on the show to participate in a series of baking challenges. Ultimately, one winner will be awarded a cash prize!  

 

The flyer with more information is below. 

 

To apply, parents can visit: www.bakingchampionship.com   Make sure to enter today.

 

 

Chopped Jr casting for kids 9 to 15

Food Network is looking for the most talented kid chefs around the country who have what it takes to compete on Chopped. They are in search of young culinary masterminds between the ages of 9 and 15 who can take the heat in the kitchen and the competition!

See below for details on how to apply.  For more information and how to apply, please visit their website at http://jscasting.com/chopped-jr/.

 

Today's Kitchen Tip: Making snacks with kids

Make this fun and easy
project with your kids.
 Yummm -- mini donuts

If you are looking for a fun project to do with your kids, try making quick and easy snacks with them.  You may want to make cookies, cakes, even jello. 

You  can make things from scratch, if that's your thing.  If it isn't, look for products from the grocery store that are simple to make and delicious to eat.

We recently tried a new product by Pillsbury which was for baked donuts.  These funfetti donuts were simple to make and fun for kids to eat. See our review for the donuts to get our thoughts.

Do not limit yourself to sweet snacks.  We will give some tips for savory snacks in future tips.

Today's Kitchen Top: How to get fussy eaters to try new foods

Do you feel like you need to cook different foods for a few members of your family?  Some kids can be such fussy eaters that it takes the fun out of preparing meals.

One way you can get your kids to try new foods is to bring them to the store and let them pick something out to eat.  I love to bring kids into the produce section and let them pick out something colorful to try.  Then when you get home, let them help you prepare this new food.

Most of the time they will not be able to wait to try their new food.  Keep in mind that it may take 3 times for a child to enjoy a new food, so if at first you don't succeed, keep trying.