Place kids and cookies in the same setting and you will get an overdose of sweetness. christmas cookies,
It’s that time of the year where there’s a festive smell in the atmosphere, but this usually comes with some pressure. Generally, at the end of the year, we have more things to do at work, we start searching for presents, we plan for the holiday, want to spend more time with our kids, while also wanting to find some time for ourselves.
How will it be this year if you do three things at once? Spend time with your children, bake some delicious cookies and also make a few presents? I know, it sounds amaizing and fun.
By baking and handing out cookies as gift, you will solve the problem of gifts for some of your friends. You will also save money, offer a beautiful and tasty present filled with love and most importantly, you will spend time with your kids.
 Read also: 40 sustainable and conscious gift ideas for everyone |
During such magical moments in the kitchen, you will have time to talk with them and teach them about science, counting, fractions, weighing, measuring, language, fine motor skills, reading, problem-solving, all constructively and naturally. Without pressure and without them noticing, you are teaching them all this stuff.
Yes, these moments costs—more time spent in the kitchen, extra cleanup, and lots of patience (especialy if you had a tiring day). But I believe all of this is worth it when we see how delightful the results would be. Don’t you agree?
Child and family experts across many educational disciplines agree with this too. They believe the time invested is worth the effort. Both parents and children will reap short and long term benefits.
Benefits of Getting Kids Involved in the Kitchen
- Builds confidence and self-esteem.
- It sets an example for a healthy lifestyle.
- Increases the interest in food and cooking.
- Cooking helps to build essential math skills.
- Improves comprehension and reading skills.
- You’re able to spend quality time together as a family.
- Children who cook at home feel a sense of accomplishment.
Present the kitchen as a learning lab to your kids where they can do edible science experiments. For example, you can explain the changes in food ingredients from liquid to solid, the effect that yeast or baking powder has on the other ingredients, or how things turn out due to the effect of heat. They will be fascinated to learn new skills.
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Let’s start baking!
One Dough – 5 Different Flavours
I choose to make a simple and easy cookie recipe that will delight the entire family and be fun for the kids too. Besides, it is healthy and vegan. This recipe can make around 100 cookies—five different flavours.
Pressed Dough:
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 750 gr soft room temp butter
- 900 gr all-purpose flour (6 cups + 1/2 cup)
- 3 room temp, large egg whites (scroll below for egg substitute and other note)
Cut the butter and place it in a large bowl. Mix butter and salt until it’s creamy and pale. Add the egg whites and mix until combined. Start adding the flour slowly, not all at once, until all combine in a soft dough. You can use the egg yolk to grease the cookies before putting them in the oven.
Divide the dough into five equal parts and work with them one by one.
1. Lavender and Orange Butter Cookies
Add the following ingredients to the dough and mix until they all combine in a soft dough
- 2 tsp lavender
- Juice from ½ orange
- Zest from an orange
- 50 gr all-purpose flour
- 5 tsp powdered cocos sugar (1/4 cups)
Take the dough, put it between two baking sheets, and spread it out using your hand or a rolling pin. Place it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. Take the dough from the refrigerator and cut it into different shapes using cake tins. Insert the cookies in the preheated oven at 170°C/340°F for about 15-18 min. Scroll below to note for other details.
2. Parmesan Caraway Cookies
To the second cookie dough, add:
- 5 tsp caraway
- 40 gr flour (4 tbsp)
- 1/2 cup of vegan or traditional parmesan
Take the dough, put it between two baking sheets, and spread it out using your hand or a rolling pin. Place it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. Take the dough from the refrigerator and cut it into different shapes using cake tins. Insert the cookies in the preheated oven at 170°C/340°F for about 15-18 min. Scroll below to note for other details.
3. Ginger Cookies
To the third cookie dough, add:
- 40 gr flour (4 tbsp)
- 2 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 5 tsp powdered cocos sugar
Take the dough, put it between two baking sheets, and spread it out using your hand or a rolling pin. Place it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. Take the dough from the refrigerator and cut it into different shapes using cake tins. Insert the cookies in the preheated oven at 170°C/340°F for about 15-18 min. Scroll below to note for other details.
4. Rosemary & Lime Cookies
To the fourth cookie dough, add:
- Zest of one lime
- ½ juice from a lime
- 1/2 cup fresh rosemary
- 5 tsp powdered cocos sugar
- 50 gr all-purpose flour (5 tbsp)
Take the dough, put it between two baking sheets, and spread it out using your hand or a rolling pin. Place it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. Take the dough from the refrigerator and cut it into different shapes using cake tins. Insert the cookies in the preheated oven at 170°C/340°F for about 15-18 min. Scroll below to note for other details.
5. Cocoa and Nuts Cookies
To the fifth cookie dough, add:
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 40 gr flour (4 tbsp)
- 1/2 cup grounded nuts
- 2 or 3 tsp cocoa powder
- 5 tsp powdered cocos sugar
- ½ vanilla pod or 3-4 drops of vanilla essence
Take the dough, put it between two baking sheets, and spread it out using your hand or a rolling pin. Place it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. Take the dough from the refrigerator and cut it into different shapes using cake tins. Insert the cookies in the preheated oven at 170°C/340°F for about 15-18 min. Scroll below to note for other details.
NOTE
- If the dough is too soft, add more flour.
- If it’s too hard add a little plant based milk.
- For a stronger gingerbread flavour, add more ginger.
- You can use inactive yeast flakes instead of traditionl parmesan.
- Replace egg white with 3 tbsp of milk/plant milk and add 2 tbsp cornstarch. Mix with dry ingredients.
After the cookies cool down, you and your children can start packing them. I recommend using anything you have around, except plastic bags. We want to reduce the use of plastic. Be creative and find alternatives—jars tied with an ornamental thread, paper bag, wooden box, straw baskets, etc.
Your gift has special ingredients that will definitely be noticed and appreciated by those who will receive the cookies — love, fun, exciting combinations of ingredients and positive energy. Your kids will be so proud of themselves when they see the delight on the faces of those who will receive these presents.
As parents, what more extraordinary gift can we offer to our children as they step into this enormous and challenging world? If not the beauty of caring and nourishing their bodies, the ability to be confident in themselves and the power to be conscious adults?
I hope you will have unforgettable moments with your kids and I invite you to share them with us. We would love to know the stories from your kitchen. christmas cookies christmas cookies christmas cookies christmas cookies christmas cookies
Remember to love yourself
