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Lucky Charms Marshmallow Treats #kidsinthekitchen

August 28, 2014 by Melissa

Afterschool snacks tend to be healthy and on the small side so they don’t interfere with dinner. But there comes that moment when the kids are wanting something different than celery with peanut butter or a yogurt. That’s when the genius of Lucky Charms Marshmallow Treats happens.

I honestly think these are better than traditional Rice Krispie Treats. No more sweeter but with a different flavor because of the oat cereal. Shaun was my chef on hand this time. We got these done before Shae got home and tried to takeover. She’s bossy like that sometimes.

The ingredients list is easy, marshmallows, butter, cereal and salt. Yes salt, trust me.

Ingredients

16 oz large marshmallows (approx 1 bag plus 1 cup)
11oz box of Lucky Charms
4 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt

Directions

Prepare large baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Separate the marshmallow and cereal into their own bowls.
Sprinkle 1/3 of Lucky Charm marshmallows on the bottom of baking dish.
In a large saucepan set over medium/low heat melt butter and then add marshmallows and stir till completely melted.
Add cereal and stir till thoroughly coated. Then add remaining marshmallows and quickly stir.
Pour into baking sheet and with a plastic sandwich bag coated in cooking spray press the mixture down and shape into corners and edges.
Let cool for 10 minutes then enjoy.

Try not to indulge like Rob with his dad sized bite.

Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers, Sara at Sensibly Sara, Reesa of Momma Lew, Kate of Busy Bee Kate & Jeannette of EcoIncognito each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find these and many more ideas for healthful and unique food fun on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Kid Friendly Snacks & Food for Summer #kidsinthekitchen

July 17, 2014 by Melissa

Summer is in full swing and the kids are ravenous after the pool, playground and parks. I’ve put together this awesome list of Kid-Friendly Foods for Summer to satisfy any appetite. Don’t worry about the picky eaters or allergies because there’s a little something for every age and tastebud and nutritional level.

Sand Dessert via I Was Born to Cook

Yogurt Covered Strawberries via The Guavalicious Life

Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Power Bites via LookWhatMomFound

Mini Pizzas via Suzy’s Sitcom

Gluten Free Animal Crackers via Petite Allergy Treats

Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles via The Neighborhood Moms

Chicken Ricotta Pies via Meaningful Mama

Sprite with Kool-Aid Cubes via Food Family & Finds

Brown Bag Microwave Popcorn via LookWhatMomFound

Taco Egg Rolls via Awkward Kitchenette

Homemade Corn Dogs via Chef in Training

PB&J Smoothie via Nest of Posies

Monster Trail Mix Granola Bars via Mom on Time Out

Watermelon Pico de Gallo via The Pioneer Woman

Apple Cheesecake Quesadillas via Lemon Tree Dwelling

Natural Fruit Leather via Out of the Box Food

Fairy Bread via Smart School House

Strawberry Shortcake on a Stick via In Your Back Pocket

What do you serve your kids during the hot summer months to keep them satisfied and happy?

Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Cinnamon Apple Crisp #recipe #kidsinthekitchen

July 3, 2014 by Melissa

I love having a helper in the kitchen. Especially one that can read, measure (for the most part) and mix without getting most of the ingredients on the counter. Shae is gonna be one hell of cook and baker when she grows up because she’s always wanting to make something. This week’s Cinnamon Apple Crisp went through a few phases starting with blueberry peach to just peach to strawberry then to apple because we knew that is something that everyone would eat. We both love peaches but we weren’t too sure about Rob and Sabreena.

Apples are a hot commodity in our house so I had to make a special trip to the store to get more. Our apple drawer had some supply but not enough for a cobbler recipe and for the kids to eat one a day like they usually do.

Shae was definitely my sous chef for this one. The peeling and slicing of apples I did as well as the chopping of the nuts. Otherwise she mixed and assembled and mixed some more to get this cobbler put together and in the oven in time for dessert. This is a keeper for sure and what’s more patriotic than APPLES.

Ingredients

6-8 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
juice from 1/2 lemon, about 1 tsp
1 TBLS cinnamon
3/4 cup of sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 cup of flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove butter from fridge

In a large mixing bowl add apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar, salt and cornstarch. Toss till apples are evenly coated.

Pour mixture into a 9×12 baking dish, set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl add flour, brown sugar, salt, butter and chopped nuts and blend till mixture comes together .

Scatter pieces of your brown sugar mixture evenly on top of apples till covered.

Bake for 40-44 minutes till apples are bubbly and topping is crisp.

Let set for 10 minutes, serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

I think next time I might make add brown sugar to the apples to get a more caramel-y sauce.

Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

A Classic Apple Crisp with a boost of spice sweet cinnamon. Served with ice cream or whipped cream this is a crowd pleaser either warm or room temperature.

Ingredients

6-8 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
juice from 1/2 lemon, about 1 tsp
1 TBLS cinnamon
3/4 cup of sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 cup of flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove butter from fridge
In a large mixing bowl add apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar, salt and cornstarch. Toss till apples are evenly coated.
Pour mixture into a 9x12 baking dish.
In a separate mixing bowl add flour, brown sugar, salt, butter and chopped nuts and blend till mixture comes together.
Scatter pieces of your brown sugar mixture evenly on top of apples till covered.
Bake for 40-44 minutes till apples are bubbly and topping is crisp.
Let set for 10 minutes, serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

https://lookwhatmomfound.com/2014/07/cinnamon-apple-crisp-recipe-kidsinthekitchen.html

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe #kidsinthekitchen

May 29, 2014 by Melissa

Baking is one of the easiest and most fun ways to get your kids involved in the kitchen. It’s especially awesome when the child asks to make a particular dish. This Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is something I’ve been making for 12 years and everyone loves it. I’ve made little modifications over the years but it’s pretty perfect the way it is. We make it so much that Shae can do most of the prep, mixing and measuring on her own.

Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

3-4 ripe bananas, peeled and broken into large pieces
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350° and butter a loaf pan.
In a large bowl cream together butter and brown sugar till creamy.
Add eggs one at a time and vanilla, blend well till combined.
Add in flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt and combine till smooth.
Drop in banana, nuts and chocolate and blend till combined but bits of banana are still visible.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan (or muffin tins).
Bake for 60-70 minutes, a toothpick should come out clean.
Let cool in loaf pan for 15 minutes, slice and serve.

Substitute the chocolate chips and nuts for whatever else you may like, such as cinnamon chips, dried cranberries, sliced almonds or JUST banana.

As you can see Shae did most of the work. I pulled ingredients out of cabinets, told her the measurements and let work the mixer. I love this time together. I hope she holds onto these memories as she gets older and starts memories with her own children.

Enjoy the time you have today and spend time doing small things. Making a sandwich together, mixing up chocolate milk or even enjoying a shared bowl of ice cream all count for making memories and getting your kids in the kitchen.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Chewy Coconut Cookies #recipe

May 15, 2014 by Melissa

I’m a cookie brat. I’m particular about the flavors and types of cookies I eat. I don’t eat packaged cookies except for the occasional Oreo or Samoa. I prefer my cookies fresh, made from scratch and warm. This means homemade cookies often get eaten before they’re even cooled. These Chewy Coconut Cookies are especially good when warm out of the oven.

I’m really the only one in the house the loves these cookies so that just means more for me. I realize that’s a curse I bring onto myself but I’m willing to sacrifice for these sweet chewy treats.

Ingredients

1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups flaked or shredded coconut

Directions

Start by preheating your oven to 350º.

In a large mixing bowl add butter and sugars. Combine till smooth.

Then add egg and vanilla and mix till fluffy.

Gradually add flour/baking powder/baking soda/salt mixture and coconut.

Chill batter for 30 minutes.

Drop even rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet 2″ apart.

Bake for 9-12 minutes till edges are browned. Cool on wire racks.

Cookie should be crisp on edges and underside but chewy in the middle. Store in container with tight-fitting lid. Makes 30 cookies.

This cookie is for the coconut lover. Upping the coconut flavor is simple with the addition of coconut extract and more flaked coconut. You’ll end up with something that resembles a macaroon but that’s not a bad thing.

Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Power Bites #kidsinthekitchen

May 1, 2014 by Melissa

MOM! Can I have a snack?
It’s 2 hours before dinner and the kids are hovering looking for a snack. I hate to say no but I know giving in will just ruin their appetite. Shae suggested we make oatmeal power bites. They are small enough to curb an appetite but are still healthy so I don’t feel guilty.
Best of all they are a no bake treat the kids can do almost all by themselves.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Power Bites

1 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter or other nut butter
1/2 cup honey
2/3 cup coconut, toasted if preferred
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, any flavor
1/4 finely chopped macadamia nuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 dried cranberries
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Dump all of the ingredients into a large bowl. With a rubber spatula mix thoroughly till combined. Chill in fridge for 1 hour.

Form into balls with the palms of your hands. If you find the mixture too sticky add 1/4 more oatmeal. If the mixture is too dry add 1 tbls more peanut butter.

Store in fridge to keep them firm but these can be eaten at room temperature. They are high in protein and good fats so feel good about the kids popping 2 or 3 after a hard day of play.

*Make these how you want them to taste. Substitute with white chocolate chips, dark chocolate shavings, pecans, chopped dates or figs, nutmeg and smoked sea salt. It’s all about ratio, add about 1 cup of “toppings”.
**Boost the health factor by adding a couple teaspoons of flax seed, chia seed, hemp or wheat germ.

Would your kids eat these?

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Dough Blondies #kidsinthekitchen

April 24, 2014 by Melissa

One of childhoods greatest pleasures might be eating raw cookie dough. The chunky creamy sweet scoop on your finger is so satisfying but so not safe for kids. That’s why we make an egg-free cookie dough and add it to things like White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookie Dough Blondies.

I don’ t know why I say we, I’ve actually never made these blondies, Sabreena makes them. This isn’t her recipe, it comes from The Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook. We’ve had this for a couple years. IT’S AWESOME!

Thankfully Sabreena likes to bake because I’ve been slacking lately with sweet treats for the kids. These are always a big hit too.
Buy the cookbook from Amazon (affliate link). I won’t share the recipe here only because I hate to share the hard work put into a cookbook without getting permission. BUT I wouldn’t be surprised if you found a similar recipe on Lindsay’s blog, Love and Olive Oil. I promise you’ll love the cookbook if you get it, 150ish pages of COOKIE DOUGH ideas and recipes and inspiration.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Do You Want To Build A Snowman from Marshmallows #kidsinthekitchen

March 27, 2014 by Melissa

I’ve said it before. I am not creative when it comes to making food into art. There are sites out there that transform everyday food into mini masterpieces like these Lego Movie pancakes from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons or these Animal Pretzel shapes from Stop Looking Get Cookin. That didn’t stop Shae from making these Marshmallow Snowman based on her new obsession with Frozen. Do You Want To Build a Snowman is my favorite song from the movie so there was no way I could say no.

The ingredient list is easy

Marshmallows, big and small
Pretzel Sticks or black licorice if you’re going for authentic Olaf
Orange Tootsie Roll
Chocolate chips
White Chocolate or Candy Melts
Ipod playing Do You Want To Build A Snowman on repeat for inspiration

Using a large bowl of VERY HOT water melt your chocolate chips or candy melts in a baggie or piping bag. I just placed the bottom of the bag in the water and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Shae arranged and picked out what she wanted to use to build her snowman.

Microwave the tootsie roll (or starburst) for 8 seconds to soften. Shape a nose. I think Shae’s came out perfect.

Using the melted white chocolate as glue start building your snowman. It dries quick and hard.

Adding spots of white chocolate works as glue to hold the carrot shaped nose & chocolate chip eyes in place.

Stab the pretzel into the body and add feet with a couple more dabs of “glue”.

With the dark or milk chocolate make the buttons down your snowman’s body.

When he’s just the way you like him BITE OFF HIS HEAD and enjoy.

That’s what Shae did. It may not have looked just like Olaf but that didn’t matter.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Fruit and Cream Filled Pastry Cups #kidsinthekitchen

March 13, 2014 by Melissa

I have a love hate relationship with baking but it’s one of the few things that the kids can always help with. That is until I came across profiteroles. These are not a kid friendly recipe.

The finished product though are a perfect kid friendly food. These bite size, dainty pastries are the just right vessel for anything you can imagine. Of course my family goes towards the sweet side and filled them with whipped cream and fruit but I’d like to serve these stuffed with chicken salad or fried chicken pieces with cole slaw.

Making the profiterole dough isn’t hard per say but it takes planning and organization. I’m sure Sabreena could handle making this but I wouldn’t let the other two mess with it. I used this video from Martha Stewart as my guide.

Shaun and Shae decided to fill them with fruit and whipped cream. Shaun went to work on slicing the strawberries while Shae munch on the tops. They each decided what to put in their own profiteroles and had a light and delicious snack.

They loved them and the recipe made plenty so we’ll be filling them with ice cream and chocolate sauce over the weekend for dessert.

The kids might not be involved in every step of a recipe but getting their participation on some of the process is just as good. Keeping them in the loop keeps them interested and that’s the whole point of #kidsinthekitchen.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

An InLinkz Link-up

Brown Paper Bag Microwave Popcorn #kidsinthekitchen

February 27, 2014 by Melissa

I’ve said it on numerous occasion, My Kids Love To Snack? We definitely encourage healthy snacking by providing plenty of fruits and veggies but there is not denying those cravings for a a salty crunchy eat from a bag kinda snack. How about Brown Bag Microwave Popcorn.

We love love love popcorn. The kids know to bring home a fresh full tub when they leave the movies. I buy the big wholesale club container of kernels so we can make my own in the air popper and sometimes we have a few microwave bags in the pantry. BUT this is definitely a better to enjoy popcorn fresher, healthier and easier then all those other choices above.

You’ll need 2 things

brown paper bag
popcorn kernels

Directions

Simply add 1/4 of popcorn kernels to a brown bag and close with a couple folds tightly creased.

Place in your microwave and cook for 2 – 2 1/2 minutes, laying down or standing up is fine. Our first bag was bit burnt at 2 1/2 minutes. Our second bag was better but still had a burnt aroma at 2:20. The magic number for us is 2:10.

Now it’s time to remove your bag from the microwave, add toppings, shake and enjoy.

The kids have been using a cheddar cheese popcorn topping but I like mine a little more simple. I like to add a big pinch of kosher salt and a few sprays of “fake butter”.

This is something the kids (depending on their age) can do pretty much on their own or with just a little help.

The bag doesn’t get hot to the touch.
There isn’t a huge scalding burst of steam coming out of the bag.
The measurements and ingredient list is so easy.
Clean up is done in a snap.
Serving size is perfect for one.

I’m loving this version of popcorn so much. I find it to be slightly crunchier than traditional air popped and the bag isn’t gross and greasy so eating right from it is convenient and clean. Try it and let me know how it turns out for you.
Come join me and my co-hosts, Sarah of Play to Learn with Sarah, Paula at Frosted Fingers and Sara at Sensibly Sara, each week linking up a post, new or old, that feature the theme Kids in the Kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you are doing as long as you are doing it together, enjoying it and learning something along the way.

preparing healthy snacks
having a tea party
counting skills with m&ms
pouring from measuring cups
discovering a local restaurant that your kids love
creating new family friendly recipes

You’ll find so many more ideas on the #KidsintheKitchen Pinterest Board.

Follow Melinda Babiak’s board #KidsintheKitchen on Pinterest.

What do you serve your kids during the hot summer months to keep them satisfied and happy?

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