25 November 2008

Cooking with Kids: Dog Bone Cookies


Yesterday my oldest came home from pre-school beaming.  He had been chosen to take their class mascot, a stuffed Clifford dog, home for the week.  When students take Clifford home, they also take Clifford's "overnight" bag with them filled with fun activities the kids can do.  There is a View-master with  Clifford pictures in it, several Clifford books to read, a Clifford video, a journal to chronicle Clifford's adventures with your family, as well as a recipe card for "Dog Bone Cookies" that had a dog bone cookie cutter attached to it.  
I knew that if my son wanted to make the cookies and share them with his class, we would need to make them for class today since they are out of school for the rest of the week.  So, last night, my two little ones pulled up chairs to help me make the dough for this very simple sugar cookie.
I have decided that I need to cook/bake with them more.  They love it so much but I'm often reluctant to let them help since it often takes 3 times as long.  But I knew when I gave my oldest a cup of flour to add to the bowl and he poured it in from a height of about 18 inches thus powdering himself in a fine dusting of flour as it plopped in the bowl, that cooking is not necessarily intuitive.  I know somehow that you should not add flour to a bowl from a height of 18 inches and should instead add the flour gently from a height close to the bottom of the bowl, but where did I learn that?  Probably through trial and error when I was their age.  I resolve right now to let them help me in the kitchen as often as I can so that when they are 18, they are no longer learning through trial and error, but are self-sufficient and comfortable in the kitchen.
The sprinkles on the cookies are very uneven, but again, the kids did it themselves and loved every minute of it.  They were so proud of their work.  As for the taste, the cookies were just okay.  They had a nice soft texture to them and were mildly sweet.  I'm sure there are lots of better recipes out there, but this one scored points on the ease of the recipe, and the smiles it got out of two little boys who were able to help make them.


Dog Bone Cookies  *For human consumption only!

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Cram butter and sugar.  Add eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder and salt.  Mix.  Chill dough for at least 1 hour or overnight, placing it in a ziplock bag first.  Roll dough to 1/4 inch and cut with dog bone shaped cookie cutter.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Bake for 11-12 minutes at 375 degrees or until bottoms start to brown.

10 comments:

Reeni said...

I think you are so right about letting them help you. For the reasons you listed and because they will remember it. I still remember baking with my Mom and sister and the recipes we baked. We still have the cookbooks and a lot of the recipes are still my favorites today. Lots of memories and funny stories. The cookies are so cute! I'm sure the kids are loving them.

The Peanut Butter Boy said...

Good story and I like your resolve. My girlfriend's mom never asked her for help in the kitchen and now her mom regrets it: my girlfriend doesn't enjoy cooking and she hates the grocery store more than anything.

No worries that the cookies don't taste good, kids won't care because they're shaped like dog bones. That's sorta the theory behind my actual dog treats: Peanut Butter Dog Treats, although mine are meant for dogs and I don't have one...

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

Yup I have been reading abt kids helping you and how they get involved and eat what they make with a lotta pleasure... I shall keep this in mind this will be handy later on for me... The cookies look great and I myself feel like having a few...

Hopie said...

Cooking with kids is a lot of fun, if slower and messier than cooking alone :-) I remember helping my parents in the kitchen when I was little and I'm sure it contributed to my love of cooking!

The Yuca Diaries said...

These are sooo cute! I'll save this recipe for when I have a little one ;)

Sam said...

Your so right, it's really good to let kids cook when they're young. I loved cooking when I was a kid, then again I still do!

In response to you question about creme fraiche, sour cream makes an excellent substitute it's what I use if I can't get creme fraiche.

Chocolate Shavings said...

Those cookies are absolutely adorable. The kids must have had a blast decorating them!

Mary-Laure said...

My dog will sigh, What do you mean those are for humans only??

FOODalogue said...

Sweet story. You created memories, taught them valuable lessons, and enjoyed the holiday. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

You made memoires of a lifetime. What a smart way to celebrate, allowing the children to take part in the meal prep. It looks like you have a marvelous time and a top notch spread.

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