Baking Creates Memories

At the Mom and Tots show I was so blessed to meet so many kind people who really inspired me! One story really stuck out was a very kind mother told me was that she always bakes cookies with her two year old son who loves to mix and stir when they make cookies together. She said one time for Halloween she thought it would be fun to make these Halloween shaped cookies from a package, one of those mixes ones that you just place on the cookie sheet and bake. She said as her son was helping put the cookies on the cookie sheet he looked sad. He said to his mommy that he wanted  to do the measuring and stirring with a disappointed   look on his face. She said she thought to herself wow I must have done a good job then because my son wants to do the work, he wanted to make them from scratch. I told her that is totally true about kids, they want to mix and stir and get busy with you in the kitchen, it's not just about eating the cookies, it's about spending time with mom and having fun getting your hands into the dough and creating a memory together. I still remember mixing and helping my mom. It may take a little bit longer to mix up those cookies with little ones but it is totally worth it!! You are creating a special memory with a special reward of enjoying the treat at the end of it. Kids actually like to work for things, especially when they are yummy cookies made with lots of love. The best ingredient you can ever put into your cooking and baking is the love I always say.

Here is a really good cookie recipe to try making with your little ones

Granola flax honey Bars 

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup flax seeds 
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup chopped dates
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1 ½  cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, 3/4 cup honey, and lemon juice until well blended. Combine the flour,  oats, and  flax seeds; mix into the honey mixture. Spread evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch baking pan. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat eggs while gradually pouring in 1/4 cup honey. Stir in dates, apricots, coconut, and sesame seeds until they are evenly distributed and well coated. Spread over the crust in the pan.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until center is set, and the top is lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Nutrition Facts

Servings per Recipe: 24