When I was a child, I lived for the month of December, and in large part, it was because of the holiday baking and treat making that happened from day 1 to day 24. I didn’t think there was anything quite like frosting cookies, making giant messes with the sprinkles, “gluing” eyes and buttons onto goofy gingerbread men and making all other sorts of yummy, delicious, festive treats. Today you can find ideas for whipping up almost anything with your kids, but unfortunately, not many of them are geared for the little, little ones to help with. When Tanya so graciously agreed to allow me to write a piece for Mixin’ Kitchen, I knew I wanted to dedicate a post to holiday treat making that even her little ones could get involved in. If you’ve got your own children that you would love to share some holiday treat-making with, here are a few of my very favorite ideas!

Sugar Cone Trees!

This one is so fun and easy! All you need are sugar waffle cones, a batch of frosting (sample recipe listed below) and a variety of candy. Turn the cones upside down for the kids and give them bowls of frosting (green works best!) and let them have at it! You’ll have instant Christmas trees in no time. Adding on candy for ornaments will add just the right final touch. You can use these guys for décor or eat them as soon as they’re done!

Dipped Marshmallows

Even your three year olds can have fun with this one. All you need are large marshmallows, melting chocolate, wooden food sticks and a variety of fun toppings like sprinkles and candies. Warm the chocolate and place in dunking bowls for your children. Make sure the chocolate is not overly hot so that it’s safe enough if little fingers get dipped too. Kids can place their sticks in the marshmallows and then “dunk” them in the warm chocolate. Finish with a topping of their favorite sprinkles and mini candies. Put a Hershey kiss on top for a hat (attach with a frosting) and a face on the side for extra fun! Not eating the marshmallows when the chocolate is warm and dripping is the hardest part.

S’more Cookies

If your kids are in the mood for making “cookies” but you feel it might be a little advanced, go for “s’more” cookies. There’s still a little time in the oven, so it feels more like baking than the other treat ideas geared for young ones. Have your little ones place graham cracker squares on a cookie sheet and then top them with chocolate chips and holiday colored candies like M&Ms or even red and green Reese’s Pieces. Place the cookie sheets in the oven and allow to “bake” just until the chocolate starts to melt. Remove, and making sure that little hands don’t touch the hot cookie sheets (you can give them back their graham cracker squares on plates), let them top with a layer of mini-marshmallows. Put the crackers back on the cookie sheet and place back in the oven just until the marshmallows start to puff and turn golden brown. You’ll have festive s’more cookies in no time!

Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses

This is one of my favorite ideas ever! I absolutely loved decorating gingerbread houses as a child (and still do, in fact!) but baking the walls and roofs is time consuming and not much fun. Without having to go buy pre-made packages, you can whip out a box of graham crackers, quickly throw together some royal icing (recipe below) and your little ones have all the ingredients for crafting mini graham cracker “gingerbread houses”! A supply of all your candy on hand will serve for the remaining décor.

Cut-Out “Cookies”

For the little ones anxious to get their hands on cookie cutters, the easiest thing I’ve found to do, rather than mixing up and baking batch after batch of sugar cookies that they won’t be able to help with, is to make Rice Krispies treats instead. While still warm, just after stirring in the marshmallows, place onto a large sheet of waxed paper and roll out thin. Then hand off the cookie cutters and let your little guys go to town (works better before they harden)! They can even frost and decorate just like sugar cookies.

Holiday Wreath Snacks

Instead of using Rice Krispies, you can switch out the Krispies for Corn Flakes. Add a drop or two of green food coloring into the butter/marshmallow mix and make like normal. Then spoon out large helpings of the mixture onto waxed paper and let your little ones shape into circles with holes in the middle (let cool slightly before they touch). Then they can decorate with red hot candies and thin red licorice strings (tied in bows) to make fun and festive holiday wreaths.

Basic Icing Recipe

• 4 cups powered sugar
• 4-5 Tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine sugar and milk, blend on low speed. Add vanilla, continue blending until completely mixed. Add more liquid or sugar to reach desired consistency.

These are just a few of the many ideas available for young children and holiday sugar-y fun! So go grab your kids, turn on the Christmas music, pour everyone a mug of hot cocoa (with marshmallows) and have some fun together making yummy, easy holiday treats!

Image source: onecharmingparty.com via Dawn on Pinterest

Image Source: karaspartyideas.blogspot.com via Sherry on Pinterest

Author Tara Alley is graham cracker addict, caramel roll baking connoisseur and full time writer for www.air-n-water.com. When not writing site content, she reaches out to write foodie articles every chance she gets.

I was inspired by this post to do something different when it comes to holiday baking.

Introducing my Wilton created melting snowmen fight cookies

Melting Snowmen Cookies & Snowball Fight

I used Wilton’s Giant Round Cookie Pan to create the large chocolate chip cookie. I took 3 balls of sugar cookie dough and made uneven piles for the snowmen, baked and once they were cooled, I used Wilton White Cookie Icing and pretty much just took the lid off the container and poured until I liked the way the melt looked.

Then, I took 3 large marshmallows, put in the microwave for just a couple of seconds (long enough to make them mushy), placed on top of the wet icing and pushed my thumb in to them to make them appear more ‘melted’.

I used mini chocolate chips for the buttons, Wilton candy sprinkles for the eyes, nose and bow ties, then I took some Wilton Ready to decorate Black Icing and created the mouths and arms. For the snowball fight, I used miniature marshmallows that I pulled out of a packet of hot chocolate mix.

Once my melting snowmen were created, I colored some regular icing that I had on hand with Wilton’s Christmas Red, put in a disposable bag with a tip and created the outside of the cookie. I did this because when I took it out of the pan, there were just a few cracks in the cookie itself. Plus, it made it pretty to look at.

I use a Wolfgang Puck Bread Machine and love to make different things in it, other than just homemade bread. I have made pizza dough, as well as Monkey Bread. If you haven’t tried Monkey Bread – you are missing out!

Bread Machine Monkey Bread

Dough Ingredients (Put in machine in order as below)

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons margarine, softened
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Topping Ingredients

• 1 cup margarine
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/4 cup of chopped pecans (optional)

Sugar Mixture

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Directions

1. In the order of ingredients, place in bread machine. Make sure the yeast is on top of the dry mixture & doesn’t touch the liquid, until the bread machine is started.
2. At the top of the powdered mixture, place the yeast. Make sure that no liquid comes in contact with the yeast. Select dough cycle and press start.
3. When dough is complete, place dough on floured surface, knead and roll dough in to a long tube shape.
4. Cut dough in to 1 inch bites.
5. Drop one chunk at a time into the sugar mixture. Thoroughly coat dough pieces. I like to use a sifted spoon to get excess sugar off the rolled dough.
6. Layer them loosely in a greased Bundt or tube pan, staggering layers so you’re plopping each dough chunk over a space between two below.
7. Chop Pecans
8. In a medium saucepan on low heat, wisk together topping ingredients until smooth. Remove from heat.
9. Pour topping mixture over coated rolls in baking pan.
10. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (190 degree C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes or till golden brown.
11. Remove from oven & enjoy!

Images of steps:

Steps 1 & 2

Step 3

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We have breakfast for dinner a lot in our home. One of my favorite cereals growing up was Cocoa Puffs. If Cocoa Puffs weren’t great just as they are, there is a new chocolate favorite in our house; Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch. Oh, I went there! Cocoa Puffs + Brownies all in the same name?

Confession: We have been munching on Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch as a snack, and not just as a breakfast cereal.

Love the taste of brownies? You will love Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch!

Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch

With the delicious taste of brownies “baked” into every bowl, Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch is a delicious chocolate-y cereal ready to be enjoyed for breakfast or as a satisfying snack on the go. You will be sure to get some brownie points as your family´s taste buds delight in the perfect balance of whole grain goodness and delicious chocolate flavor in every bite.

Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch has at least 8 grams of whole grain (48 grams recommended daily) and a good source of calcium and Vitamin D in every serving. For chocolate lovers everywhere, Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch is sure to become a choco-licious go-to!

Our thoughts: With as much as we eat cereal, I was excited for our family to try this. We eat cereal for breakfast, but we also like to enjoy a cup of dry cereal as snacks or on the go. I knew that Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch would be chocolaty with brownie in the name, I was honestly expecting it to be a bit more brownie’ish and more chocolaty flavor. The flavor is good, but very similar to the original Cocoa Puffs cereal. This isn’t a bad thing; we just hoped for more chocolaty oomph. Overall, our family was happy with the new Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch cereal and I do see us buying this again.

Mommy Goggles gives this product: [rating:4]
Why this rating? This is a star rating (1-5) that is based off our opinion on the product itself, use, wear & tear, price and how it fits in to our family’s lives (at home or on the go).

The Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch product and, information have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

This may be summer time, but it is far from a summer vacation with baseball games, practices, sibling fights, and summer traveling. With as much as we travel, I am always looking for easy snacks to take on the go, but I want them to be unlike the traditional snack bags that you see a lot of. With Jif, I have found that it is easy to take unique and yummy snacks along with us. You are probably thinking… ‘Jif.. on the go? Are you for real?’ Well, I would have said the same thing, up until now.

Jif has some tips to help kick off the summer season right and make vacations easy and fun for the entire family:

• Get the whole family involved in planning getaways and have each person choose at least one activity so everyone is looking forward to the trip.

With as much as I travel by myself, it’s nice to be able to plan a family day outing or a weekend family vacation.

• Bring travel-friendly snacks everyone loves, like Jif To Go™ Peanut Butter. Each 1.5-ounce cup is perfect for dipping while you minimize mess and maximize portability.

Anytime we go anywhere, whether locally for a day of running errands or for a week long trip, the kids always have a snack bag packed with healthier options. I didn’t realize that Jif came in easy to pack travel size portions. Now that I know, we have had Jif To Go on our list each time we are at the store for restocking!

• Play travel-related games such as I-spy or license plate bingo. They’re a great way to pass the time and keep the entire family entertained.

I just downloaded some travel games on the iPads for the kids to play, as well as buying any travel size game that we can find. When we were on our Texas trip (9 hours, stayed overnight, then another 6 hours,and then back with the same hours), travel games save my sanity while driving! Travel games work to keep the kids’ minds thinking, as well as gives them things to do while I drive.

We received the below to help us out on our many road trips.

I cannot begin to tell you how many snack ideas that we have come up with just from the Jif to Go, other than the pretzels! My daughter is just like me – she has major texture issues, however she loves peanut butter, but is very picky at what she dips in it. Pretzels are a huge plus for our family all around, but the kids also like to dip their crackers in it, and then put a cube of cheese on top. It may sound weird, but it’s actually pretty good! I, myself, love to just eat the peanut butter itself. Tucker likes to take a small snack size bag of peanuts and add to the travel size of peanut butter as well. I can go on and on about how many different ways that we travel with Jif To go. Another thing that I like a lot about Jif To Go is for myself. I travel a lot and I have a low protein condition, so when I feel my sugar attack and protein levels get low, I know that I can take in a Jif To Go and feel better pretty quickly.

I would love to hear from YOU – my readers – on what your little ones like to snack on, what you like to snack on, what you family’s favorite snacks and what travel snacks you like to pack!

Mommy Goggles gives this product: [rating:5]
Why this rating? This is a star rating (1-5) that is based off our opinion on the product itself, use, wear & tear, price and how it fits in to our family’s lives (at home or on the go).

All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

While I was at Midwest Moms Summit last weekend, I received a sample of 5 grain flax Foldit Flatbread. Today, I decided to try these bad boys out by making grilled min pizzas.

Super easy, super fast and super yummy!

Since our stove is out of commission for another week I used my countertop grill to make grilled personal pizzas.

I used:

• 1 package of Bobeli pizza sauce
• Sliced smoked honey ham sandwich meat
• 1 package of 5 grain flax Foldit Flatbread
• Mozzarella cheese; grated

First, I grilled each side of the flat bread to make the inside crispy, then I put grated cheese, pizza sauce, cut ham (you can use anything for toppings).

I closed the flatbread, then grilled on each side for a couple of minutes – and walah – personal grilled pizzas!

I can remember the name ‘melba toast’ from when I was a kid. I can say that those memories aren’t the best. It was blah, bland, dry, no real flavor or taste, and was like gnawing on Styrofoam. Sounds tasty, doesn’t it? With my weightloss, I have been looking for new ideas for snacks, as well as snacks for the family when we travel. I saw that Old London had some new flavors of melba toast products, so I thought I would give them a try. I really wanted to give myself a new thought of melba toast, as well as to hopefully find new snacks and treats for me to pack when travel for media events.

• Melba Snacks
  
  Replace your everyday crackers with these crispy rounds, perfect for out of the box wholesome snacking. Old London Melba Snacks are the essential complement to your favorite dip or spread.
• Bagel Chips
  
  Deliciously crunchy bite sized bagels you can pair with your favorite toppings and enjoy anytime!! They make a great light snack at home or to serve to your family and friends.

We received some Melba Snacks along with some Bagel Chips in Sea Salt, Whole Grain Melba Snacks & Spicy Cheddar Bagel Chips.

I had NO idea that there were so many different flavors of Melba Toast!

Melba Snacks:

• Sea Salt
• Whole Grain
• White Cheddar
• Roasted Garlic
• Sesame
• Spicy 3 Pepper

Melba Toast:

• Sesame
• Rosemary
• Sourdough
• Classic
• Whole Grain
• Wheat
• Salt Free Whole Grain
• Rye

JJFlats Flatbreads:

• Everything Flatbread
• Garlic
• Sesame
• 7 Grain

Bagel Chips:

• Garlic & Herb
• Spicy Cheddar
• French Onion
• Sea Salt

really? I had no idea that there were so many varieties! When I was a kid, the only flavor I knew of was ‘bland’. I have to say that after trying the tree flavors: Bagel Chips in Sea Salt, Whole Grain Melba Snacks & Spicy Cheddar Bagel Chips, I am already on the lookout for more flavors. Just last weekend, when I traveled, I took along portions of each of the flavors I was sent. They make perfect travel snacks!

With my weightloss of 42 pounds (and holding, YAY!) Old London is here to help us stay on our weightloss tracks by helping us fit in those summer clothes by encouraging us to include healthy, enjoy tasty snacks and adding to our simple foods in our everyday menus. Their famous snacks, made with all-natural ingredients and whole grains, prove a great way to satisfy mid-day hunger when paired with light treats like salsa or cheese.

To inspire healthy living, Old London has launched the “Aloha Old London” sweepstakes and will send one winner and a guest to beautiful Oahu, Hawaii for an all-expenses paid, Hawaiian vacation. The winner will be invited to soak up the sun, enjoy the spa and the surf, treat themselves to private cooking lessons, and just breathe during the four-day, three-night, all-expenses-paid trip. Want to fit in your bathing suit for Hawaii? Old London can help in more than one way! You can enter the sweepstakes now through June 30th, 2011 at www.Facebook.com/OldLondonFoods.

For more information, please visit http://www.oldlondonfoods.com/

Mommy Goggles gives this product:
[rating:5]
Why this rating? This is a star rating (1-5) that is based off our opinion on the product itself, use, wear & tear, price and how it fits in to our family’s lives (at home or on the go).

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London and received product samples and a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions in this posting are 100% my own.

I woke up this morning in a creative mood, so I went with the flow. I made rice krispie treats and used Wilton’s Candy Melts to drizzle over the treats, as well as I made candy to go on top.

I made some hearts using candy melts and I used the Wilton Heart CandyPick Mold. I had another idea to make smaller candy pieces, so I used the Wilton Flowers Cookie Candy Mold. This is usually used to make candy covered cookies, like Oreo’s, but I only filled in the small flower part. I love how they turned out. SO EASY and so cute!

I didn’t want to make cupcakes since that’s the traditional class treat. I am really excited with how these turned out!

Tonight I made Homemade Quesadillas for the kids. SO easy. So fast and SO cheap to make. I used mostly leftovers from the night before. How about a step by step with pictures?

I used corn tortillas that I had in the freezer, Crisco Canola Oil and Taco Seasoning. I didn’t use much since these were for the kids.

Put just a little oil in a pan, and fry tortilla (you can use flour if you want) until cooked to your likeness. I know. I know. I need new pots & pans. Like in a bad, desperate, crying way.

I freeze individual portions of cooked/ground hamburger meat. I seasoned a small amount.

We had Ranch Style beans the night before, so I blended leftovers in the Food Processor, then heated them in a pan. You can use pinto or any type of bean that you like.

Grate some cheese, put small amount of cheese, meat, beans & more cheese (to use as a ‘glue’ to hold the Corn tortillas together, then another tortilla on top. Put back in pan and heat until cheese is melted.

Cut & serve. Walah! Easy Peasy Quesadillas!

While some people crave those holiday sweets, some of my favorite things to have during the holidays are easy treats such as Pigs in a Blanket and even Hillshire Farm’s Cocktail Links in Sauce. Two very easy snacks to make your guests that keep you out of slaving in the kitchen. It doesn’t have to be the holidays for our family to make these. We keep Hillshire Farm Cocktail Smokies on hand all the time. The kids love them! We all do!

If you are looking at creating your guests some treats, but don’t want to spend a lot of money or a lot of time, be sure to check out the Tasty Holiday Ideas website from Sara Lee. It is jam packed with yummy recipes.

I grew up with Hillshire Farm products and I continue that tradition with my kids. We love the Smoked Sausage and especially the Lit’l Smokies.

Lit’l Smokies in the following flavors:

• Turkey Lit’l Smokies
• Cheddar Lit’l Smokies
• Original Lit’l Smokies

Lit’l Smokies have been a cocktail party favorite since they launched, and with 2/3 less fat than regular Lit’l Smokies, Turkey Lit’l Smokies are sure to be a hit.

Lit’l Smokies are the perfect addition to any cocktail party or entertaining occasion and can be prepared a variety of different ways:

• Wrapped in crescent rolls or corn bread.
• Dipped in barbecue sauce, honey mustard, cheese sauce
• Simmered in a crockpot with chili sauce
• Skewered with your favorite veggies or fruit

Lit’l Smokies Cocktail Links are ideal for parties and also make a quick and fun protein-filled snack! They’re fully cooked and packed with flavor!

If you are looking for even more holiday party snack ideas, how about creating tasty sandwich bites with Sara Lee Fresh Bakery: Hearty & Delicious Products. I have to say that, growiing up, I never liked wheat bread, so I was scared as an adult to try it again. We have been buying Sara Lee Multigrain & Wheat breads for a few months now, and I love it!

Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious

• 100% Multigrain Bread
• 100% Wheat With Honey Bread
• Home-Style Buttermilk Made with Whole Grain Bread
• Country White Made with Whole Grain Bread
• 100% Whole Wheat
• Old-Fashioned Potato Made with Whole Grain Bread
• Oat with 100% Whole Grain Bread
• Sunflower Seed Bread
• White Hamburger Buns
• 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
• Sesame Seed Hamburger Buns
• Corn Dusted Kaiser Rolls Made with Whole Grain
• Center-Split Deli Rolls White

I just made a big ham yesterday. Since we are traveling for the holidays (as I type, we are in route!), I made up a cooler with sandwiches with Sara Lee Bread & leftover ham. Not only does this allow us to drive straight though and save money from not having to buy fast food, but we love the way Sara Lee bread tastes and holds up on the go.

Sara Lee Hearty & Delicious helps you go from typical to tasty with great tasting varieties of Breads, Buns & Rolls! Breakthrough your everyday routine with rich and flavorful varieties – something special just for you. Take your sandwich to the next level with great taste and texture to support your latest creation:

• From turkey with melted Swiss, avocado and bacon, to chipotle chicken breast with red peppers, these breads, buns & rolls deliver
• Whether you crave a grilled cheese, a dill chicken salad with almonds or a roast beef, we have the flavor of bread, buns & rolls for your sandwich

To fight that late afternoon fade, try a ½ sandwich for a great tasting snack

If you go to www.tastyholidays.com, you can submit your entry to the contest, and be eligible to win a $500 Walmart gift card. How cool would it be to win a $500.00 Walmart Gift Card?! Tell them how Sara Lee and Hillshire Farm have made your family holidays special. Submit pictures, or write your entry and you could be the winner of a $500 Walmart Gift Card.

For more information, please visit www.tastyholidayideas.com

All opinions in this posting are 100% my own. As a thank you, I was sent a $50.00 Walmart gift card so that we could try some new Sara Lee & Hillshire Farm flavors and recipes. Click here for Mommy Goggles Review, Press Posting & Giveaway Policy