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Bake Christmas Treats with Your Kids

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year. Children especially love the season and begin to get excited from the beginning of December, waiting for that special day.
   You can add to that excitement by letting your kids make special treats for the holiday season. They will be so excited about taking part in getting ready for that special time of year and it will help to teach them more about their food, where it comes from and how to create magic from a few ingredients.
   Even small children can help. Just determine ahead what level of involvement is appropriate for your child. If they are too young to be around knives, try a recipe that doesn't involve a lot of chopping, or do that part yourself, then let the kids measure and mix.
 
Here are two recipes that are perfect for the young holiday cooks in your family.   
 

UNCOOKED BROWNIES

Ingredients
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 6 teaspoons cocoa
• 1/2 cup cold milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 2 cups quick oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
Boil sugar, milk and butter for 2 minutes. Add vanilla, coconut, cocoa, salt and oatmeal. Drop on to a waxed paper lined square baking dish. Place in the refrigerator to cool. Cut into squares to serve.
 
How easy is that?
 

PEANUT BUTTER SURPRISE SQUARES
Makes 30 servings

Ingredients
• 3 cups Graham cracker crumbs
• 2/3 cup melted butter
• 5 eggs, beaten (or 1 carton liquid egg replacement, well shaken)
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/3 cup corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons corn starch
• 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup chopped unsalted peanuts

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
 
Line a 9"x13" baking dish with aluminum foil, making sure to cover the sides of the dish. 
 
Blend cracker crumbs with butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared dish. Bake for 8 minutes. Set aside.
 
Whisk the eggs with the sugar, corn syrup and cornstarch until well combined. Reserve.
 
Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter randomly over the prepared crust then scatter the marshmallows, chocolate and peanuts evenly over the base. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the other ingredients in the crust. 
 
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and set. 
 
Tip: When using liquid eggs, you may need to increase the baking time to 40 minutes.
 
 
Karen Ciancio is a fan of all things cooking related. Her website Cookingnook.com contains recipes, cooking tips, diet and nutrition information. Visit the site for a free copy of our Holiday Gift Guide, with great ideas for everyone on your list.

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