{Baking with Kids} Pie Dough Cookies

In an effort of full disclosure: I'm what some might call a control freak. 


Not like crazy controlling or anything. But I'm not one of those moms who can send her kids outside after a rainstorm to play in the mud.  I envy those moms who are laid back and go-with-the-flow.  I think my life would be easier and full of less anxiety if I could just loosen up a little bit!


If you've been around this blog, you know I love cooking and baking. I'm not open my own restaurant caliber, and I won't be writing any cookbooks anytime soon. But the kitchen is my happy place. I love finding new recipes to try, and on the rare occasion, I can create some new recipes on my own.


One of the areas I struggle to relinquish control with my kids is in the kitchen.  Kids are messy, unpredictable and most definitely, at times, out of control! And Chica seems to grow 10 arms when we're in the kitchen. She is just shy of 4-years old, so listening is not yet in her Top 5 Strong Skills, and the temptation of digging her hands in a bowl of ingredients usually gets the best of her.


My mom was great about letting my sisters and I in the kitchen when we were little.  Perhaps we were better listeners or better behaved. But she let us watch, explore and try things on our own. I'd like to think that's why I love being in the kitchen to this day. I knew that if I wanted to help Chica have a positive experience cooking and baking, it started with her being my Kitchen Sidekick. 


Even if it meant getting a little messy.


I've spent some time thinking through simple, easy and fun activities to introduce her to cooking and baking. I thought it might be fun to share them with you, so you can try them too!  Our kitchen adventures haven't been without mess, and at times, can be stressful. But knowing she will find joy in the kitchen is worth the effort!


Today's {Baking With Kids} activity is one inspired by my Mom (love her!).  Mom used to bake pies a lot. Her pies almost always called for a double-crust recipe. And once the top layer was covering the pie, there was usually some leftover dough.  My mom wisely put it to use!  She let us create our own little cookies in a safe and controlled environment.  So fun - and an easy way to let your kids create culinary masterpieces!

• Leftover Pie Dough (I use the scraps from the Better Homes and Gardens double pie crust recipe)
• Cinnamon
• Sugar (refined or raw - your choice!)

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If you are already baking a pie, you can work on the cookies and pop them in the oven with the pie during the last 12-15 minutes of baking.


2) Line a baking sheet with foil (for easy clean up - this is optional), and lightly grease with non-stick cooking spray.


3) Roll the leftover dough to a 1/4-1/8 inch thickness (if you child is on the younger end, roll for them. If they are older, let them try it out).

4) Let your child sprinkle the dough with sugar and cinnamon (if your child is younger, consider putting the sugar and cinnamon in a salt shaker, just to give them more control).

I may have jumped in here and spread the
cinnamon and sugar out with a knife....shhhh

5) Use cookie cutter to make shapes, or give your child a plastic child-safe knife (I use this children's cutlery set from Ikea, which I love!). As you can see, we made random geometric shapes because Chica really wanted to use the knife and cut them out herself!

I love pudgy little kid hands <3

6) Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.

7) Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. (As noted above, you can pop them in the oven with the pie you are baking for the remaining 10-15 minutes)

Enjoy!

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I have a few more {Baking with Kids} activities to share, so check back!  

IF you have some great recipe ideas that are perfect to try with children, send them my way and I'll try them out!  moderndaydonnareed@gmail.com