Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Wholesome Treats for Kids

I have a son in kindergarten who takes his lunch to school everyday.  Everyday I try to put things in his lunch that are good for him but won't leave him dissatisfied and envious of his friend with the bag of chips and Hostess cupcake pack.

Here are two go-to choices.

Homemade Cheese Crackers

1/4 C butter
1C shredded cheddar cheese
1C whole wheat flour
1t salt
1/4 t baking powder
4T cold water

1.  combine butter salt and cheese.  Combine flour and baking powder.  Mix together.  Add water one T at a time to form a stiff dough. 
2.  roll out to 1/8" thickness right on your baking sheet. (you need the kind with no sides) Cut into 1" squares.
3.  bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Turn off oven and leave crackers in for another 30 minutes or until crisp.
4.  store in an airtight container.

The whole wheat flour makes these crackers taste nutty and warm.  They keep well, but ours never last very long.

Chocolate Cookies

1C all purpose flour
1/2 C whole wheat flour
1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 t baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 C softened butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 t vanilla

1.  beat together butter, sugar and brown sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs and mix.  Add vanilla and mix.
2.  whisk together flours, cocoa, baking powder and salt.  At low speed, beat flour mixture into sugar mixture until well combined.
3.  drop by tablespoon onto greased cookie sheets spacing about 2" apart.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes until set but not browned.

These cookies are chocolaty and chewy but not too dense or rich.  I make them pretty small so that we can have a couple (or three) and still be at a good serving size.  This recipe will make about 32 cookies.

Lunch box treats with no hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, artificial colors or flavors or preservatives - Enjoy!!

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