December is a wonderful time to get the kids in the kitchen. I have rounded up some of my favorite (healthy) holiday snack recipes to make with the kids. What do you love to make with your kids during the holiday season?
Evergreen Wands
What You Need:
Kiwis
Raspberries
Bamboo Skewers
Small Tree Cookie Cutter
Slice the kiwis into about 1/4 inch slices. Using the cookie cutter, cut out little kiwi trees. Tip: Don’t bother peeling the kiwi since you are simply going to cut out the middle of each slice. Add Raspberries to bamboo skewers and top with a kiwi tree. Kids love helping with this part but it’s a good idea to remind them to be careful and give help if needed, skewers are a touch sharp. These make a great snack to take to a holiday party! Festive, Yummy and Healthy.
Coconut Peanut Butter Cups
Ingredients:
3/4 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter (or Sunflower Seed Butter for a “nut-free” version)
1/4 unsweetened, shredded Coconut (plus extra for sprinkling on top)
2 tsp Honey
1 (10 oz) bag Chocolate Chips (I use Enjoy Life Chips for allergy friendly)
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners. Mix the peanut butter, coconut and honey together until will combined and chill in the fridge. Add the chocolate chips to a medium glass bowl with the nutmeg. Microwave for 40 seconds on high then stir. Repeat 6-7 times until chocolate is smooth and glossy. Add 1 heaping teaspoon to each mini muffin cup. Allow to set in the fridge for about 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter mixture on top of the hardened chocolate and smoosh with a spoon (my girls love this part). Top with another heaping teaspoon of melted chocolate and sprinkle with coconut. Set in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Store in the fridge. These make a wonderful homemade gift too!
Santa Hat Apples
Ingredients:
2-3 small Apples, sliced
10-12 Strawberries, hulled
1/4 cup Cream Cheese
1/4 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1 tsp Honey
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
Add the Cream Cheese, Yogurt and Honey to a plastic zipper bag. Squish around until will mixed, kid love this part and their little fingers are great squashers! Snip a hole in the corner of the zippered bag and pipe some of the cream on to the apple slice, place a strawberry on top and a dollop more cream on top of the strawberry. Voila, you’re done! A great one for a preschool party. For a dairy-free version substitute nut or seed butter for cream mixture.
Gingerbread Smoothies
Ingredients:
3 Bananas, peeled and frozen for at least an hour
1/2 cup Rolled or Instant Oats
1 1/2 cup Almond Milk
1 tbsp pure Molasses
1/2 cup Ice
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Ginger
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
Crushed Graham Crackers (optional)
I love this smoothie because it actually tastes like you’re eating a gingerbread cookie! Add all the ingredients to a blender (except graham crackers) and whizz until frothy. Top with crushed graham crackers and serve with a straw (it’s more fun that way). Makes about 5 small smoothies!
Easy “Gingerbread” House
What You Need:
1 box of Graham Crackers (save that box, you’ll need it)
Almond or Peanut Butter
Yogurt Pretzels
Coconut
Dried Fruit
Nuts
Natural Candies
Fruit Leathers
I love this way to let your kids create a “gingerbread” house that’s easy (no-baking), healthy and allows them to actually build and decorate it themselves. Spread the graham cracker box with almond butter, spatulas work great for this and are easy for kids to use (yes, this will make a mess). Add the graham crackers till your box resembles a house. Ours is kind of “Frank Lloyd Wright” style (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). Use the almond butter to add the decorations. Fruit leathers make great doors and windows. I find if I let the kids take charge their creativity always amazes me! This year I’m not actually sure what they loved more building the house or breaking it down and eating it?!
