Kids In The Kitchen-Christmas Treats

Cooking with kids is not only a great way to have family fun, but it also helps teach a life skill.  Developing confidence in the kitchen can foster a love of cooking at a young age.  Leading to independence and creativity.

Using a stool or chair even young kids can help.  Give them jobs like rinsing fruits and vegetable.  Sorting items you need.  Tell them what tools and ingredients you are using, increase their knowledge and vocabulary.  The older your kids get the more they will be able to do.  Help measure, read the instructions, open packages and mix recipes, to list a few.

Trying new recipes is one of the most exciting parts of cooking.  Using different ingredients and exploring new flavors is an excellent way to introduce new foods to your children. 

Have fun gathering recipes to try. 

We have some easy recipes for the holiday season we hope you and your kids will enjoy!

Buckeyes

You will need:

• 2 bags Lily’s milk chocolate chips
• 2 Tablespoons Organic butter or Organic coconut oil
• 3 cups Crazy Richards creamy peanut butter
• 4 ¼ cups Organic Wholesome powdered sugar
• ¼ cup coconut palm sugar
• 6 Tablespoons Organic butter, melted
• 1 ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• ½ pure vanilla extract
• 4 Tablespoon crushed Annie’s honey graham crackers

Instructions: 

1. In a large bowl mix together the creamy peanut butter, melted butter, coconut palm sugar, Organic Wholesome powdered sugar, Himalayan pink salt, vanilla extract, and crushed graham crackers. Mix until batter is creamy and well blended.
2. Place the batter in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until the dough sets enough to roll into 1-inch balls.
3. Line a baking sheet with unbleached wax paper. Put the peanut butter balls on and place them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Having them chilled will make dipping them in chocolate easier.
4. Preheat the oven to 200°F. Put the Lily’s milk chocolate chips and the Organic butter or Organic coconut oil in an oven-safe bowl and place in the oven for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until the chocolate is melted.
5. If the kids are helping, you may want to try putting the melted chocolate in a cup so they have a handle to grab onto. 
6.  Line another baking sheet with unbleached wax paper.
7. Dip the buckeyes in the melted chocolate and place in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes until the chocolate is dry.  
8. Makes approximately 5 dozen buckeyes.
9. Enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Minis

You will need:

• 1 box Late July Organic mini peanut butter crackers
• 1 bag Lily’s milk chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon organic butter or coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°F. 
2. Prepare a cookie sheet lined with unbleached wax paper.
3. Place the Lily’s milk chocolate chips and butter or coconut oil in a small oven-safe container. Place in the oven until chocolate is melted, approximately 20-30 minutes.*
4. Dip the mini peanut butter crackers in the melted chocolate and place them on the cookie prepared cookie sheets. Set in a cool place until the chocolate is dried. 

Tip: If the kids are helping, placing the melted Lily’s milk chocolate in a cup can make it more convenient so the children have a handle to grab onto.

*The chocolate can also be melted in a double boiler over medium-low heat or put water in a small amount of water in a crockpot. Heat the crockpot on a medium-low setting. Set your oven-safe container in until chocolate is melted. 

For an additional idea, a small amount of Lily’s white chocolate can be melted, and using a fork or spoon, drizzle it over the dried chocolate-dipped crackers for an added decorative effect.

White Chocolate Party Popcorn

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Boom Chicka Pop Real Butter Popcorn
• 1 bag Lily’s white chocolate chips
• ½ cup Lily’s semi-sweet chocolate bar
• ½ Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon organic butter or organic coconut oil

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 200°F.
2. Place white Lily’s white chocolate chips and ½ tablespoon Organic butter or coconut oil in an oven-safe bowl and in a separate oven-safe bowl, place the Lily’s semi-sweet chocolate bar and 1 teaspoon organic butter or coconut oil.* 
3. Melt in the oven for approximately 15-20 minutes or just until chocolate is melted and is smooth when stirred.
4. Put your popcorn in a medium to large bowl and drizzle with Lily’s white chocolate. Toss with a spatula.
5. Place a long strip of unbleached wax paper on your countertop and spread the popcorn drizzled in white chocolate on it. 
6. With a fork, drizzle the melted Lily’s semi-sweet chocolate over the popcorn. Let it dry and put it into a bowl with an airtight lid. 
7. Enjoy!

Additional tips:

• You can add ½ teaspoon of Watkin’s peppermint flavoring (more or less to suit your taste) to 1 cup of the melted Lily’s white chocolate.
• You can add crushed Yum Earth peppermint candy canes or Unreal crispy gems or milk chocolate gems.

*The chocolate can also be melted in a double boiler over medium-low heat or put water in a small amount of water in a crockpot. Heat the crockpot on a medium-low setting. Set your oven-safe container in the water until chocolate is melted. 

Adorable White Chocolate Snowmen

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Newman-O’s
• 2 bags Lily’s white chocolate chips
• 1 Tablespoon organic butter or organic coconut oil

For decorations:

• Unreal Milk Chocolate Gems
• Enjoy Life mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°F.
2. Cover a cookie sheet lined with unbleached wax paper.
3. Place Lily’s white chocolate chips and organic butter or coconut oil in an oven-safe bowl. Place in the oven until the chocolate is melted, approximately 20-30 minutes. 
4. Using a fork dip the cookies in the melted white chocolate and decorate with the chocolate chips and the Unreal Milk Chocolate Gems to make a snowman face. Set in a cool place until the chocolate has dried. 

Tip: If the kids are helping, placing the melted Lily’s white chocolate in a cup can make it more convenient so the children have a handle to grab onto. 

*The chocolate can also be melted in a double boiler over medium-low heat or put water in a small amount of water in a crockpot. Heat the crockpot on a medium-low setting. Set your oven-safe container in until chocolate is melted. 

You can also melt the Lily’s milk chocolate chips and dip the Newman-O’s for a double chocolate experience.