TASTY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 – NATIONAL KIDS TAKE OVER THE KITCHEN DAY
It’s often difficult to find recipes children can make pretty much by themselves. Working with a stove or oven or knives can be challenging for little ones. The Unbaked Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are easy, but children might need a little assistance with the stove top burner. The Acorn Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls do not need a stove top or oven and would be easier for children of any age. A microwave can be used for melting chocolate.
My daughters loved the Unbaked Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies – it’s a recipe I learned when I took Home Economics in Junior High School! My grandchildren used to love holiday time at Granni K’s because we always made the Peanut Butter Balls AND Granni K’s Sugar Cookies! Always favorites.
If you are not intolerant of peanut butter, you can add 2-3 Tablespoons of peanut butter to the Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies for more flavor. And if someone is allergic to chocolate or just doesn’t like chocolate, you can buy “chocolate” flavoring chips in the white chocolate aisle – at your local craft store and dip the peanut butter balls in the white “chocolate”. If you remember, I’ve mentioned before that white chocolate is not really chocolate so – check with your doctor, but I’m pretty sure you could use white chocolate or any flavor of melting candy to dip the balls in. Or don’t dip.
Again, you may get creative – within moderation of course.
Another dessert that children love to make and eat are Rice Krispies Treat bars. You can make them with any cereal – like the fruit loops with or without the marshmallows. They DO need adult supervision, however. How much fun it is to play in the kitchen with the kiddies!
UNBAKED CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIES
Ingredients
2 cups granulated sugar
4 Tablespoons cocoa (unsweetened)
½ cup milk or can cream (NOT sweetened condensed)
1 stick margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups quick rolled oats
2-3 Tablespoons peanut butter (optional)
Instructions
- Boil together sugar, cocoa, milk, and margarine for 1 minute in a saucepan on medium heat.
- Remove from heat and add 1 t. vanilla, 3 cups quick rolled oats (and 2-3 T. peanut butter if you choose to).
- Beat 3 minutes at least with a wooden spoon.
- Then the children can drop by spoonful on waxed paper. Work quick, they solidify quickly once the oats are added.
FANTASTIC!
ACORN PEANUT BUTTER BUCKEYE BALLS
Better double this recipe or you’ll run out before they are done!
Ingredients
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter (or can use crunchy)
½ cup margarine (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 16-ounce package powdered sugar
1 6-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 Tablespoons vegetable shortening
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper.
- In medium sized bowl mix peanut butter, margarine, vanilla, and powdered sugar with hands to form a soft dough. (Kids love this!) Mixture will be very stiff.
- Shape into balls using 2 teaspoonfuls for each. Place on waxed paper or parchment paper and put in the refrigerator.
- In top of a double boiler (or you could use a microwave) over simmering water, not boiling, melt the chocolate and shortening together. If using a microwave stir often. Don’t get burned.
- When smooth, pour into a small bowl or measuring cup. Remove balls from the fridge.
- Dip into melted chocolate (or coating) so ¾ of the ball is coated, or the whole ball, return to paper to set. Chocolate side should be down. Refrigerate 30 minutes or more.
- When chocolate is firm and not sticky, place in plastic containers with waxed paper between the layers.
What a fun thing for the kids to do and give as gifts to teachers, neighbors, friends, family, etc.
Bon Appetite’ with love,
To download this recipe, click here.