I Dig Pinterest

Creative "Pin"-spiration

Kids in the Kitchen: Watermelon Slice Cookies

I’m so excited to introduce a new series here at I Dig Pinterest called “Cooking/Crafting with Kids”!

The idea came to me the other day because my daughter saw me writing up a post and asked if she could help with my blog.  She loves to help out in the kitchen and she has some great artistic abilities that I want to encourage in her.

I’m sure this new deal will end up being good for all parties involved.  My kids get to learn a valuable skill that they’ll need as adults…and I get to learn to have more patience.  🙂  Because-let’s be honest-cooking and crafting with little kids requires a great deal of supervision, a heck of a lot more time, and extra mess to clean up than doing so by yourself.  I love my little buddies, though, and I’m excited for our new adventures together in the kitchen and craft room.

I was looking through my Taste of Home magazine and saw the pretties shown below and knew they were just the thing to make.  My kids had an absolute blast helping mix and bake these Watermelon Slice Cookies.  I can’t get over how darling they are!  My son was worried at first because he doesn’t like watermelon, but I assured him that they taste just like sugar cookies and then I told him that we were going to put chocolate chips on top, and he was SOLD.

This recipe does require some forethought and preparation, but trust me when I say it’s completely worth the effort.  And it’ll be a fun bonding experience that you can share with your kids.  🙂

 

 

 
{WATERMELON SLICE COOKIES}
Makes about 22 cookies
3/4 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Red and green gel (or liquid) food coloring
1/3 c. miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and extract.  In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture.

 

They love to have “front row seats” on the counter when there’s mixing going on.

Reserve 1 cup dough.  Tint remaining dough red; shape into 3 1/2 in.-long roll.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  Tint 1/3 c. of reserved dough green; wrap in plastic wrap.  Wrap remaining plain dough.  Refrigerate all dough for 2 hours or until firm.

On a lightly floured surface, roll plain dough into an 8 1/2 x 3 1/2 in. rectangle.  Unwrap red dough and place on a short end of the plain dough; roll up.

Roll green dough into a 10×3 1/2 in. rectangle.  Place red and plain roll on a short end of the green dough; roll up.  Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Unwrap and cut dough into 3/16-inch slices (just less than 1/4 in.).  Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Lightly press chocolate chips into red dough to resemble watermelon seeds.

 The kids loved pressing in the “seeds” and eating them as they went.

 

Bake 6-8 minutes or until firm.  Immediately cut cookies in half.  Remove to wire racks to cool.

Enjoy!  My kids (and I) couldn’t stop eating them.
We had so much fun baking together. My son is already asking when we’re going to make watermelon cookies again.  🙂  I’m wondering the same thing-they are tasty!
I hope you’ll stop by soon for another fun recipe/craft idea that’s perfect for kids!  I’ll be sharing a handful of projects every month.————–

Here’s some other things that my kids love to help make (and eat).

Whole Wheat Pancakes

Fruit Smoothie Popsicles

 

Linked up at http://orgjunkie.com/

Reader Interactions

Comments

  10. Those turned out great! How fun for the kids to get to do some baking. I definitely agree with you on the patience part. It's summer break and the kids always want to "help out". Lol. Definitely a good learning experience for them though!

  11. What a fun treat for summer! I wonder how it would turn out if you added some watermelon flavored jello powder to the recipe. Hmm... might have to give it a try. :)

  13. So adorable, my girls would adore these!

    Our readers would enjoy this too, stop on by & link at our SUPER SUNDAY Link Party, which is live through Tuesday evening!

    Lori
    Who Needs A Cape?
    Not Your Average Super Moms!

  14. Very cute! So summery :) Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #25!

    ~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
    http://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com

  15. I LOVE these….I wanted to invite you to share this at my linky party going on now. Add as many projects as you like. Hope to see you there…

    Christina at
    SWEET HAUTE
    http://sweethaute.blogspot.com/
    Thursday SWEET HAUTE Share Linky Party
MENU