Dear Reader,
This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children. Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills. You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story. Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Tiny T. Rex and the Perfect Valentine By: Jonathan Stutzman Illustrated by: Jay Fleck
Ages: Toddler through Kindergarten
This adorable book is perfect for young children. Tiny T. Rex wanted to make the perfect valentine for his best friend Pointy. However, everything went wrong and Tiny T. Rex was very sad. The ending of this sweet story is perfect. Wonderful book for Valentine’s Day!
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, discuss with the child what people do before Valentine’s Day.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why Tiny T. Rex was making a valentine.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why Tiny T. Rex’s valentine did not turn out the way he wanted.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Pointy thought was the perfect valentine.
- After reading, ask the child if they plan to send any valentines.
Additional Tiny T. Rex Books:
- The Impossible Hug
- The Very Dark Dark
- The Grand Ta-Da!
- The Tricks of Treating
Cooking Time:
Strawberries and Cream Doughnuts
These heart-shaped doughnuts are so much fun for anytime of year. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking the egg and adding the sprinkles.
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a doughnut shaped muffin pan with non-stick spray.
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Sprinkles
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup strawberry jam
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- Using a mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
- Add the milk, sour cream, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Using a piping bag or spoon, fill each doughnut slot half way.
- Bake for 5 to 6 minutes.
- Remove to a cooling rack for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the baking tin.
- Whisk together the glaze ingredients.
- Dip the cooled doughnuts into the glaze and decorate with sprinkles.
Makes 12 Doughnuts.
Surprise Chocolate Truffles
These delicious candies are so easy to make. Children can help by rolling the truffles and and adding the sprinkles.
3 cups chocolate chips, semi-sweet or dark
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
30 to 60 Strawberry Shake M & M’s
Valentine sprinkles
- Using a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the chips and the sweetened condensed milk.
- Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Place the mixture in a bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, take about a tablespoon of the chocolate mixture and roll into a ball, putting 1 M & M in the center.
- Roll the ball into the sprinkles.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Can also serve at room temperature.
Makes 30 to 60 truffles.
Cherry Dream Bars
You will absolutely want to make these delicious bars. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients and cracking the eggs.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 by 8 inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Line the pan with parchment paper and spray again.
Bars:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons milk
- Using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the salt, eggs and vanilla and combine. Continue mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add the flour and baking powder and mix until just combined.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the batter and set aside.
- Press the remaining dough into the prepared baking pan.
- Top with the cherry pie filling.
- Drop the reserved dough in small pieces over the pie filling.
- Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove and place on a cooking rack and cool completely.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth.
- Drizzle over the bars.
- Cut and serve.
Makes 12 squares.
Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
If you like red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting, this is the Valentine recipe for you. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients, cracking the eggs and making the cookie sandwiches.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cookies:
1 box red velvet cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
Cream Cheese Filling:
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
- Using a mixer, combine the cake mix, butter and eggs.
- Using a scoop or spoon, drop round cookies onto the cookie sheets, two inches apart.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove to wire racks to cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove cookies and return to racks to complete the cooling process.
- Using a mixer, cream together the cream cheese, butter and vanilla.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Spread the filling between two cookies and press gently.
Makes 12 cookies.
