Valentine's Day Recipes for Children

Easy Kids Cooking Ideas for February 14

Jan 12, 2009 ChristaCarol Jones

Spend some special time with your kids while letting them take charge as the chef!

Letting your child be in charge of some of the cooking, if not all, is empowering and great for his or her self esteem. Not only is this a fun way to spend Valentine’s Day together, but you get to enjoy some tasty treats in the end! As well, you can reinforce some math skills with older children by going over the measuring units. Visit the Valentine's Arts and Crafts article for more fun activities to do this holiday.

Valentine's Day Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup apple juice
• ½ cup frozen strawberries
• ½ cup frozen blueberries
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ (optional)

Directions:

1. Pour all ingredients in blender in listed order.
2. Blend on high until smooth.
3. Pour in glass and enjoy!

Valentine's Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies

*A few hours for preparation

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Optional: Substitute the ½ cup sugar with brown sugar for a butterscotch flavor and omit the lemon zest.

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, let your child cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, beating well.
2. Combine flour, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda and salt in separate bowl. Gradually add to sugar mixture. Mix well.
3. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
4. Preheat oven to 325°.
5. On a floured surface, roll out dough about 1/8 inch thickness. Dip cookie cutters in flour to prevent sticking and cut out cookies. Place an inch apart on ungreased baking sheet.
6. For an ornament effect, use a straw to punch two holes at the top of the heart shaped cookie.
7. Bake for 7 minutes or until edges lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.
8. String ribbon through holes and tie in a bow after decorating.

Hint: Use sprinkles, candies and sugars before baking, icing for after.

Makes 4 dozen

Valentine's Chocolate Strawberry Cupcake Swirl

Ingredients:

• 1 package strawberry cake mix (plus ingredients to prepare mix)
• 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1 cup strawberry frosting
• 1 cup chocolate frosting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Grease or use paper baking cups in a 24 muffin pan.
3. Melt chocolate chips in microwave for 30 seconds. Let child stir, and microwave for 10 second intervals until at a melted consistency.
4. Prepare cake mix according to directions, letting your child help with each step depending on age and skill level. Separate half the batter in a different bowl. Combine melted chocolate chips and cream cheese to one batter. Beat with mixer at medium speed until blended.
5. Using chocolate batter first, spoon chocolate and strawberry batter’s side by side in muffin cups about two-thirds full.
6. Bake for 16 minutes or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan for 10 minutes before placing them individually on wire wracks to cool completely.
7. Let your child pick which frosting he wants to be in charge of and let him spread the frosting on one half of each cupcake. You spread the opposite frosting on the other half.

Makes 24 cupcakes

For more great Valentine's Day cooking ideas, visit Kids Cooking Activities. Remember, let your child be responsible for what she is capable of handling. Talk about the before and after of what you are making, ask open ended questions on why she thinks it changes after it’s been in the oven, etc. And most of all, have a Happy Valentine's Day together!

The copyright of the article Valentine's Day Recipes for Children in Kids Activities is owned by ChristaCarol Jones. Permission to republish Valentine's Day Recipes for Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies with Ribbon