Fall offers the chance to use some real unique foods to create fun recipes. Here are some easy recipes that your kids will enjoy making with you.

Take advantage of the fall season with many tastes that only come this time of year. Kids can help make a tasty appetizer, a zesty salad, a delightful main dish, a super side dish, and a fabulous dessert for a full course meal for the family.

You and your child can plan this menu for a special holiday meal, a surprise for dad when he comes home from work, or any occasion in the Fall. Look below for some great resources to help when cooking with kids, such as kitchen safety and a dictionary to help with unfamiliar cooking terms.

Tasty Appetizer

Cheese Ball

Ingredients:

• 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese
• 1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 2 teaspoons grated onion
• 2 cups pecans, chopped

Directions:

1. Combine cream cheese, pineapple, bell pepper, seasoned salt, onion, and 1 cup pecans.
2. Form into 2 cheese balls.
3. Put remaining 1 cup pecans on the outside of the cheese ball.
4. Wrap in foil and refrigerate.

Zesty Salad

Apple Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 medium Winesap apples
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 4 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
• 2 tablespoon Miracle Whip
• 2 tablespoon skim milk

Directions:

1. Cut apples in small cubes.
2. Mix all ingredients together and blend well.
3. Serve fresh.

Delightful Main Dish

Ham and Cabbage

Ingredients:

• 1 large cabbage head
• 1 small sugar cured ham (boneless)
• 1 small bag baby carrots
• 6 small potatoes, cut in halves
• 1/2 stick butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions:

1. Cut cabbage into pieces.
2. Peel potatoes.
3. Wash carrots.
4. Put vegetables in a large cooking pot and add ham.
5. Add water. Add butter (or margarine), salt, and pepper.
6. Cook for 4 hours on low.

Super Side Dish

Cornbread Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamed corn
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1 small green pepper, chopped
• 1 cup self-rising cornmeal

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix all ingredients together and blend well in a bowl.
3. Transfer mixture to a greased casserole dish and bake for 1 hour.

Fabulous Dessert

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz.) pound cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons melted margarine
• 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
• 1 (14 oz.) sweet condensed milk
• 1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup nuts, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, 1 egg, margarine, and 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice on low speed.
3. Press onto the bottom of a 15x10 inch jelly roll pan.
4. In another bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add in sweet milk, the remaining 2 eggs, pumpkin, and remaining 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Pour over crust and top with nuts.
5. Bake for 30 minutes.
6. Let cool for about an hour. Cut into bars.

You can find more great recipes for kids here on Suite101:

Cupcake Recipes

Dessert Recipes

Vegetarian Recipes

And articles to help when cooking with kids:

Kids Safety in the Kitchen

Cooking Dictionary for Kids