Cooking with Kids – Two Go-To Recipes

While I don’t get to do it very often, I really enjoy cooking with my nieces whenever possible. They are eager to learn and help, but it takes some careful prep on my part to make sure I’ve chosen a good recipe.

These two recipes are kid-tested, and pass the taste test!

Toddler Muffins (adapted from Allrecipes.com and pictured above!)

• 1/2 cup spreadable margarine (I use Canoleo)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large bananas, mashed
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup cooked mashed squash
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1/2 cup zucchini, grated
• 1 cup AP flour
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Prepare 12 muffin cups.
3. Cream together the margarine and the sugar.
4. Add the mashed banana and eggs, and mix thoroughly.
5. Add the squash, carrots and zucchini and mix well.
6. Carefully add the remaining ingredients and stir until just combined.
7. Spoon batter into the muffin cups.
8. Bake 15-20 mins, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
9. Enjoy!

PB Oatmeal Bars (adapted from Food.com – * denotes changes/additions)

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 mashed banana
• 1/4 cup creamy PB
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats*
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• handful chopped salted peanuts*
• handful semi-sweet chocolate chips*

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Prepare an 8″ x 8″ baking pan.
3. Mix thoroughly together the eggs, banana, and PB.
4. Add the milk and vanilla and mix well.
5. Add the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon and mix well.
6. Pour into the baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the top with the peanuts and chocolate chips.
8. Bake for about 20 mins (see note).
9. Cut into squares and enjoy while warm!

Note:

The mixture will be a little gooey, but make sure the middle is completely set before removing from the oven.