In my opinion, Thanksgiving has to be the yummiest holiday. On Thanksgiving Day, my family and I enjoy a big lunch with our extended family. Everyone brings a dish or two to share. There are casseroles, cranberry sauce, turkey, stuffing, cornbread, pies and cakes. It’s hard to fit all of that on one plate, but I always have to try a little bit of everything!
My children love to cook and Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to let them help out in the kitchen. Cooking for others is a boost to their self-esteem as they tell family members, “I baked this myself!”
Cooking with kids is messy. Sometimes (well, most of the time actually) flour gets spilled on the floor and shells end up in with the eggs, but cooking is a necessary life skill and a good learning experience for children. Following a recipe offers real life lessons in reading, math and science and strengthens skills in following directions.
This Thanksgiving, my kids and I would like to share two of our favorite sweet recipes with you – sugar cookies and pumpkin muffins. Gather the kids and enjoy an afternoon of baking together!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your holiday is full of family, fun and yummy food.
Sugar Cookies
1 c. butter
1 c. oil
1 c. powdered sugar
1 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
Cream butter, oil and both sugars. Add vanilla, eggs and dry ingredients. Roll a spoonful of dough into a ball, then roll in granulated sugar. Lightly press the ball down on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes at 375. Makes about 5 dozen.
Pumpkin Muffins
3 c. flour
1 T. plus 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. granulated sugar
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
4 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. orange juice
Combine flour, spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine remaining ingredients and beat until just blended. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, stirring just until moistened. Fill lined muffin cups. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350. Makes about 30 muffins.
