Leslie Davis It’s the time of year for baking cookies and sharing them with family and friends. Kids love to help in the kitchen when it comes to baking cookies.
Did you know that these baked treats don’t have to be loaded with fat and sugar in order to be loved by all? Put on your chef’s hat, grab the kids and come bake with us.
Sugar and Spice Cookies [1]
It’s a perfect time of year to have a tea party with the kids or just take a relaxing break with some of these delicious sugar and spice cookies and a cup of herbal tea. Check out this blog on the many wonderful benefits of herbal tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Better Baking Mix (see recipe below)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (or white sugar)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease baking sheet.
- In a mixing bowl, combine baking mix, sugar, cinnamon, and raisins (optional). Stir to mix.
- Put oil, egg, and vanilla in a small bowl. Beat with a fork to mix.
- Add oil and egg mix to the dry ingredients.
- Stir to combine. Dough will be thick.
- Measure level tablespoons of dough. Drop on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Dough with spread into cookies 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide as it bakes.
- Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges start to turn brown. Be careful not to overbake.
- Remove cookies from baking sheet while still warm.
Better Baking Mix (all purpose baking mix)
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 cups quick rolled oats (or whole wheat flour)
- 1 1/3 cups non-fat dry milk
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, stir all ingredients until well mixed.
2. Store in a closed, covered can or rigid plastic container, or sealed heavy plastic bag.
3. Label and date the container. Use within 6 months.
4. Stir lightly before use in recipes.
Notes:
To use old fashioned oats, whirl the oats in a blender about 30 seconds to make smaller flakes.
Chocolate Chip Yogurt Cookies [2]
Sink your teeth into these mouth-watering cookies. No one will know that these tasty treats are not loaded with fat and sugar. Try them to find out for yourself.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1/2 cup margarine
- 1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (miniature, or carob chips)
Instructions:
1.Heat oven to 375º F.
2. In a large bowl combine sugar, brown sugar and margarine; beat until light and fluffy.
3. Add yogurt and vanilla; blend well. Stir in flour and baking soda; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto un-greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375º F for 8 to 12 minutes or until light and golden brown.
5. Cool 1 minute, remove from cookie sheets.
Carrot Cookies [3]
These colorful cookies are loaded with flavor and good nutrition with the addition of carrots. Kids are sure to love these appetizing goodies.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup soft margarine
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup carrot, grated
- 2 egg whites, (well beaten)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups uncooked oatmeal, quick cooking
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, cream together margarine and honey. Stir in carrots and egg whites.
- Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, oatmeal and raisins. Gradually stir flour-oatmeal mixture into creamed mixture, just until all flour is mixed. Do not over mix.
- Drop from teaspoon on greased baking sheet. Flatten slightly and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Three Ingredient Cookies [4]
Perfect for a sweet energy boost any time of day. You can whip up these treats in a flash.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats (quick or old fashioned)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
- Put peeled banana in a large bowl and use the back of a spoon or fork to press down until the bananas are well mashed.
- Add oats and cinnamon, stir well.
- Cover baking tray with parchment or spray with non-stick spray.
- Drop rounded spoonfuls of the batter onto the prepared tray.
- Bake for 15 -18 minutes. Remove from oven to cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Breakfast Pumpkin Cookies [5]
Cookies don’t have to be enjoyed only as snacks. These scrumptious delights are a great breakfast option.
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups pumpkin, pureed, cooked
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 2 egg
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Mix pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, and oil thoroughly.
- Blend dry ingredients and add to pumpkin mixture.
- Add raisins and nuts.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls on greased cookie sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
We hope you enjoy some family time in the kitchen when you are making these yummy recipes. Please check out these great blogs about Getting Kids Involved in the Kitchen and Other Fun Home Activities for Kids!
Written by: Leslie C. Davis, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES | edited by the Nutrition Education Team
[2] Chocolate Chip Yogurt Cookies