Fun Breakfast Foods

I am having trouble getting my toddler to eat breakfast again. She simply just tosses food across the room. My five year old is not much better. There is lots of crying and frowning and refusing to eat.
In my endless quest to make eating fun again I asked the other mommies I knew for recipes that my help the little tykes swallow their food down for once.
Here are some of the recipes that they offered.
Apple Toast
This recipe fools my kids into thinking they are eating apple pie instead of something nutritious for them.
Peel and slice up an apple. Butter a slice of bread and place apple slices on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Sometimes I put some blueberries or a cherry on top to make it even more appealing.
Bake on cookie sheet for 15 minutes at 375 degrees.
Banana Split Cereal
This recipe fools my kids into thinking they are eating a fountain dessert. Of course what they are really getting is a healthy dose of protein.
Spoon 1/4 cup of yogurt in a mound in the center of 6 cereal bowls. Sprinkle 1/3 cup cheerios (or other low-fat cereal) on top of the yogurt in each bowl. Slice 3 small bananas lengthwise, then cut in half crosswise. Arrange two banana quarters on either side of the yogurt and sprinkle the top with blueberries or other fruit.
The next recipe is a bit of trouble but the novelty of it impresses kids so much they just start eating away. The great thing too is that you can use any filling that you want.
‘Toast cups.
Flatten the slice of bread with a rolling pin or your hands and spread both sided with softened butter. Press each slice into a muffin tin section to form a cup shape. Toast in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until cups are crisp and brown. Fill with jam, peanut butter & pop back into oven for a minute or two.
My most successful variation of this is to fill them with tuna and cheese. My kids love it and they get all of their protein.
Another good trick when it comes to toast is to use cookie cutters to cut shapes into the bread. This adds an amusing component that helps your kids maintain their focus on what they are eating. Of course sometimes they don't eat it. They just play with it.

Valentine Day Cookie Fun

There are all kinds of quick and easy cookie recipes out there that are great to make with your kids for Valentine's Day. Here are some of my favorite cookies that come out of the oven tinted a nice loving pink!

Pink Pillows

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup Strawberry Flavor NESTLE NESQUIK Powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
Preheat oven to 375º F.

Combine flour, salt and baking soda in small bowl. Beat butter, sugar, Nesquik and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen.

Sweetie Pies

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1 (21-ounce) can cherry filling and topping
1 teaspoon almond extract

Put butter, cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add flour and pecans; mix well. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Press balls evenly into the bottom and up the sides of 1-3/4- x 1-inch miniature muffin cups.

Combine cherry filling and almond extract. Spoon about 1 tablespoon cherry mixture into each pastry-lined cup.

Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool in pans 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen.

Here is another great recipe. Even the youngest of kids can put their thumbprint into a cookie and help out with this one!
Maraschino Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
2 (10-ounce) jars maraschino cherries
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 baking powder
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons milk
Drain maraschino cherries, reserving 1 teaspoon juice. Combine flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl; mix well.
Put butter and sugar in medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until well blended. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Add flour mixture; mix well.
Put chocolate chips and milk in a small saucepan. Heat, stirring constantly, over low heat until chocolate melts. Stir in reserve maraschino cherry juice. Let cool slightly.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased baking pan. Push in centers with thumb; spoon 1 teaspoon chocolate mixture into each thumbprint and top with a cherry.

Bake in 350*F oven 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookies are firm. Remove to wire racks. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

All of these recipes are really easy to make!

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