Homemade Granola Bars

So in keeping with the kid friendly cooking theme from yesterday, I thought I would add homemade granola bars. I find that sometimes kids will eat stuff, if they are the ones to make it. As strange as it sounds, my kids are picky when it comes to eating just about anything. One day they will eat nothing but 1 thing. The next day, they hate it. What is a mother to do? Have them help you cook and just maybe they will eat what they are cooking. It is worth a try, right? Plus you can sneak in some talk about fractions and counting, and any other teaching moments you can think of!

Now, these granola bars are very yummy and very easy to make. I know that granola bars are not that expensive, and very handy to have on hand. But sometimes, it is just fun to make your own. See what different variations you can make.

Homemade Granola Bars

1/2 c butter or margarine
1/3 c sugar
1/3 c honey
1/4 c flour
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 c rice crispies cereal
2 c quick oats
1 c dried fruit
1/2 c slivered almonds

* Heat oven to 350 degrees
* Coat 9x13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.
* Melt butter in a large pot on low heat.
* Remove from heat and whisk in the sugar, honey, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon
* Add remaining ingredients and mix well
* Transfer to baking sheet using waxed paper and the palms of your hands.
* Press granola firmly into pan
* Pack it evenly and flat.
* Bake for 20 minutes.
* Allow to cool for 1 hour in the pan then cool completely on wire racks before cutting into bars.
* Makes 24 bars.

Homemade Tootsie Rolls

Growing up, I remember my mom doing some pretty fun things with food. One of my favorites was homemade Tootsie Rolls. They always tasted so much better than the store bought ones and were a family favorite to make. I think it was mostly because you had to play with it to make it! Now what kid does not like that?

Homemade Tootsie Rolls

2 pkg liquid chocolate (3 Tbsp cocoa + 1 Tbsp melted margarine = 1 pkg. chocolate)
1/2 c light Karo syrup
3/4 c powdered milk
3 c powdered sugar
2 Tbsp margarine
1 tsp vanilla

* Butter hands
* Roll out and work like clay until well mixed
* Wrap in waxed paper and store in refrigerator

Masterpiece Sandwiches

With the cold weather still hanging around, it is tough to find new fun things for the kiddos to do. So try this quick and easy trick to make lunch a little more fun.

Masterpiece Sandwiches

Paper cups each filled with a few Tbsp of milk
Food coloring
New paint brushes
White Bread

* Add a few drops of food coloring to each cup of milk. (Use this as a great teaching experience with colors.)
* Using the colored milk and NEW paint brushes, paint pictures and designs on the bread.
* Toast lightly and use the slices to make your favorite sandwiches.

If you do not want to get out the paint brushes and are looking for another easy and quick way to put some fun into lunch, grab your cookie cutters and make your sandwiches into different shapes. I do not know what it is, but a star PB&J will go so much faster at this house than just a regular one!

Have fun!