Information for Parents

December Snack Ideas

With many different holidays just around the corner the one thing every child from every culture loves is a cookie!! Here are a few simple recipes for you and your children to enjoy making together.

Gingerbread Cookies
2/3 cup margarine
3/4 cup baking molasses
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ginger
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
decoration materials

Measure and mix margarine, sugar, egg, and molasses. Sift together baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and flour. Mix wet and dry ingredients. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Have the children cut out cookies with a cookie cutter. The children will enjoy decorating the unbaked cookies with different colored sugar sprinkles, raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, etc. Bake cookies for 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Makes 1-2 dozen - depending on the size of the cookies.

Cookie Icing
Mix confectioner's sugar with water.
Add a few drops of vanilla or lemon flavoring.
Can add color to icing by adding a few drops of food coloring.
Use a separate bowl for each color.
Children may use a small paint brush or spoon for decorating.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter or shortening
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 medium eggs
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips

In a large bowl mix shortening, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Add eggs and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix salt and baking soda with flour. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet and add chocolate chips. Preheat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Drop batter by teaspoonful one inch apart onto a baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Chocolate/Peanut Chip Cookies

Use the above recipe and substitute the 2 cups chocolate chips with 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup peanut butter chips. This makes the same great cookies with an added taste for peanut butter lovers!