12 oz. of semisweet chocolate, chopped

2 T unsalted butter

1/4 C + 2 T of all purpose flour

3/4 t of baking powder

1/2 t of salt

1 1/4 C of sugar

3 large eggs

1 1/2 t of vanilla extract

4/2 oz. chocolate covered toffee bars, chopped coarsely

How to Make It:

Place the chocolate and the butter into a microwave safe bowl.

Microwave on high power for 1 minute then stir until smooth.

Allow the chocolate to cool to lukewarm.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

In a separate bowl mix together the sugar and eggs with a mixer on high speed for 2 minutes or until thick and pale.

Add the chocolate mixture and vanilla and beat to blend in well.

Reduce the speed of the mixture to low and blend in the flour mixture for 30 seconds.

Fold the candy pieces into the batter.

Cover and refrigerate the batter fir 25 minutes or until firm.

Place the oven rack into the center of the oven.

Set the oven temperature at 350 and allow the oven to preheat.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using a 1/4 C measuring cup transfer the batter by cupfuls to the lined baking sheet.

Press the cookies down with a spatula to flatten.

Bake 21 minutes or until the tops are just dry and cracked but the cookies are still soft to the touch.

Makes 18 large cookies

Don’t have a one quarter cup measuring cup? Use an ice cream scooper instead. You can make smaller cookies if you prefer which should make another 6 to 10 cookies depending on how small you make them. If making smaller cookies bake for 15 minutes and then check for doneness.

2 (6 oz.) containers of low fat strawberry yogurt
1 C of fresh blueberries
1 C of honey cluster cereal

How to Make It:

Place the yogurt into a mixing bowl.
Fold in the blueberries.
Divide the yogurt mixture between two drinking glasses.
Top each parfait with 1/2 C of the cereal mixture.

Makes 2 parfaits

Let your children create their own favorite parfaits by using different flavors of yogurt and different fresh fruits. Not only is this a healthy way to start their day but it’s a great breakfast for the kids to fix for Mom and Dad.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Total Time: approximately 10 minutes

1 (19 oz.) can of tomato soup
1/2 C of croutons
2 (1.5 oz.) individual bags of cheddar cheese cubes

How to Make It:

Pour the soup into a saucepan and place over medium heat.
Simmer the soup for 15 minutes or until heated through stirring occasionally.
Pour the soup into 2 mugs.
Divide the croutons and cheese cubes between the two mugs.

Makes 2 servings

Can you remember eating grilled cheese and tomato soup when you were a child? It just says comfort and warmth doesn’t it. Children today still love this tasty lunch and with this recipe they can make it all on their own. Shredded cheese can be used in place of the cheese cubes and for a special treat add fish shaped crackers instead of the croutons.

Preparation Time: approximately 5 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 20 minutes

4 frozen apple cinnamon waffles
2 (6 oz.) containers of thick low fat vanilla yogurt
4 peach halves

How to Make It:

Place the waffles in the toaster and toast as directed on the package.
Remove the waffles and place on individual plates.
Top each waffle with yogurt spreading it over the waffle and slightly down the sides to look like cooked egg whites.
Place a peach in the middle of the yogurt to represent the egg yolk.

Makes 4 servings

These are an easy and fun breakfast that kids can whip up in a snap. Substitute blueberry or plain waffles if one of those is their favorites. An apricot half can also be used in the place of the peach half if they wish.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 15 minutes

1 (18 oz.) pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough
4 shades of colored sugar
20 pastel mint candy drops

How to Make It:

Preset the oven to 350 degrees allowing it to preheat.
Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Remove the cookie dough and separate into 20 cookies.
Place a cookie onto a cutting board and cut into 4 wedges.
Roll each wedge in a different colored sugar.
Place the wedges on the cookie sheet to form flower petals.
Continue with the remaining cookies in this same manner.
Place the cookies at least 1 inch apart on the sheet.
Bake the cookies for 15 minutes or until the edges are just turning brown.
Remove the cookies and press 1 mint, point down, into the middle of each cookie.
Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 1 minute then move to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 20 cookies

You don’t have to limit the kids to just 4 colors. Coloring sugar is easy and the kids will have a ball choosing different food coloring to make their pretty posies. Let them use their imagination to create cookies that are bright, pretty and are a lot of fun to eat.

Preparation Time: approximately 30 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 45 minutes

1 crisp Gala apple
1 tbsp of sweet dried cranberries
1 tbsp of brown sugar
2 tsp of margarine
1/2 C of granola

How to Make It:

Cut the apple in half, cut out the core, scoop out the seeds and place the halves in separate bowls.
Sprinkle the cranberries evenly over both halves of the apple.
Sprinkle each apple with brown sugar.
Place 1 tsp of margarine onto each apple half.
Cover the bowls with plastic wrap leaving a little of the bowl uncovered so steam can be released.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes or until the apple is just beginning to soften.
Sprinkle with the granola before serving.

Makes 2 servings

This dessert is easy to prepare and tastes like heaven. Children enjoy being able to make fancy desserts especially for their parents. This one tops the list of easy and the kids will feel like they have made something very special with their own two hands. Be sure to use a good crisp cooking apple so it doesn’t turn mushy. Other good cooking apples besides Gala include Fuji or Braeburn. Raisins may also be substituted for the cranberries.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 3 minutes
Total Time: approximately 18 minutes

8 flour tortillas
1 C of pizza sauce
1 C of cheddar cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

Lay 4 tortillas into a non stick skillet and place over low heat.
Spread 1/4 C of sauce evenly over each tortilla.
Sprinkle each tortilla with cheese.
Place a second tortilla over the top.
Cook 5 minutes or until the bottom is lightly browned.
Carefully flip the tortilla and cook an additional 3 minutes or until nicely browned.
Remove and cut into triangles.

Makes 4 servings

Kids of all shape and sizes enjoy a good pizza but when they can make it themselves it’s even better. These quesadillas are perfect for them to make. They can add any of their favorite pizza toppings. Make sure they don’t fill them to full though or all the goodies will end up in the pan instead of their quesadilla.

Preparation Time: approximately 5 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 8 minutes
Total Time: approximately 13 minutes

6 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/3 C Alfredo sauce
1/4 C real bacon pieces
1/8 tsp onion powder
1 tsp parsley flakes
1/8 tsp of pepper
2 pita pockets, cut in half

How to Make It:

Place the eggs into a bowl.
Stir in the Alfredo sauce, bacon and onion powder well.
Gently fold in the parsley and pepper.
Open the pita pockets and fill each one with the egg salad mixture.

Makes 4 sandwiches

This is a great recipe for children. Start your early learners out with this exact recipe. As your children grow in the kitchen teach them how to boil the eggs and peel them. Older children can learn how to fry their own bacon and crumble it into the mixture. It’s a recipe of progress with the final outcome being a tasty sandwich that all can enjoy.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Total Time: approximately 20 minutes

2 (18.5 oz.) cans of potato with broccoli and cheese soup
6 oz. cooked ham, cubed
1 C of frozen corn
1/2 C shoestring potatoes
8 small pimento stuffed olives
1 cherry tomato, cut into 4 wedges

How to Make It:

Pour both cans of soup into a saucepan and place the pan over medium heat.
Stir in the ham and corn and bring the soup to a boil.
Once boiling, turn the heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Ladle the soup into 4 serving bowls.
Scatter a few shoestring potatoes around the top of the bowl to represent hair.
Place 2 olives under the “hair” to represent the eyes being sure the pimento is facing up.
Add a wedge of tomato for the mouth.

Makes 4 servings

Have a little fun with your children while teaching them how to cook. This silly face chowder can be a ball to make and they will dive right in when it’s time to eat. For boys add a few extra shoestring potatoes to create a bread or mustache on their silly face.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 10 minutes
Total Time: approximately 30 minutes

I head of lettuce, shredded
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, sliced thin
4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
4 slices of deli chicken cut into thin strips
4 slices of deli turkey cut into thin strips
1 (8 oz.) pkg. mild cheddar cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

Place the lettuce into a large salad bowl.
Add the tomatoes and cucumbers and toss to combine.
Spread the chopped egg over the top.
Add the chicken and turkey slices and top with the shredded cheese.

Makes 4 servings

Kids love to cook for Mom and Dad and this salad is easy for them to throw together for a Saturday lunch. It’s also a great way to use up leftovers in the fridge. Let them add any of their favorites including leftover fresh veggies, diced ham or diced steak and don’t forget the dressings.

Preparation Time: approximately 30 minutes
Total Time: approximately 30 minutes