Cinnamon Dough Cookie Ornaments inspired by McCormick

Ingredients:

1 large mixing bowl
1 wooden spoon
1/2 cup ground cinnamon plus extra for dusting
1/2 cup applesauce
1 roll wax paper
1 rolling pin
Assorted 2 to 3 inch cookie cutters
Skewers or drinking straws
1 to 2 baking pans
Acrylic or puff paints, various colors
Generous handful sequin or glitter
Ribbon

Makes 12 to 15 ornaments

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, pour cinnamon and gradually mix in applesauce with a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes a stiff dough.
2. Using your hands, create a ball of dough.
3. Place the ball of dough on a sheet of waxed paper dusted with extra cinnamon and flatten slightly using your fingers.
4. Top with a second sheet of wax paper. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough into an even layer, about 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick.
5. Use cookie cutters or your own templates to cut out fun shapes.
6. Create a hole at the top of the ornament using a skewer or drinking straw.
7. Air dry creations on a wax paper covered cookie sheet or a cooling rack for at least 24 hours until they are completely hard.
8. To dry ornaments faster, preheat oven to 200°F. Place ornaments on a parchment lined baking pan and bake until very dry and very hard. Allow to cool before decorating.
9. Once fully set, decorate using paints, or adhere sparkly sequins and glitter using school glue.

Scones in a Jar

Ingredients:

1 mason jar
1 sheet cardstock
plastic wrap
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cherries
1 printed recipe cards for scones in a jar
Ribbon

Makes 1 Jar

Directions:

1. Give each child a mason jar and a sheet of cardstock.
2. Help children form their cardstock into a funnel shape and place into the opening of the mason jar, ensuring that the edges are sticking out of the jar. This will help them neatly pour each ingredient into their jar.
3. Have the children pour each ingredient into their jar, one at a time, beginning with the flour. Tap the jar on the table after each addition to create an even layer.
4. Wrap dried cherries in plastic wrap to prevent moisture from seeping into the dried ingredients.
5. Screw the lid on tight and attach the recipe card to the jar using ribbon or tape.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

Alex Zagami

Owner of Piccolini NYC

Our friend Alex Zagami is owner of the New York City centric children’s boutique, Piccolini. Piccolini specializes in thoughtful and unique gifts that are perfect for this holiday season. We especially love her fun food gifts and trademark t-shirt, in which a portion of the proceeds is donated to charity. Not only can you purchase an adorable gift for that special child – you can feel great about giving! 

Website: piccolininyc.com

Facebook Page: facebook.com/PiccoliniNYC

Twitter: @piccolininyc

Instagram: @piccolininyc

What was your favorite food to eat as a child?

My favorite food to eat as a child …… My Grandpa Sonny’s cookies. He owned Savoia, a bakery in Little Italy and retired after my parents were married. I never got to see the bakery, but my Grandpa was known for spoiling everyone with his sweet treats. I was always a fussy eater as a child, so he created in me the bad habit of cookies for dinner. In tribute to him, my store’s colors resemble The Rainbow Cookie …. We also use bakers twine as an homage to him.

Do you have children? If so, what do you like to make for them or with them?

I am not a Mom just yet … But I consider my store my baby. Perhaps the greatest gift of owning my store is being able to watch families grow. I love seeing expecting mothers in the store and then again when their little one is born. I consider myself very fortunate in that sense.

What is your favorite childhood memory in the kitchen?

My favorite childhood memory in the kitchen ( and I’m still guilty of this today ) is picking at my Dad’s dishes before he puts them out to serve, especially the antipasti! The end of the mozzarella is my favorite, which he usually saves for me

What was your favorite recipe to help make when you were a kid?

My favorite recipe to help as a kid is something as simple as scrambled eggs. Just being able to help anyone in the kitchen at such a young age was a thrill. The kitchen for me has been and will always be my favorite room in the home.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.

There’s nothing more smile inducing than Choceur Mini Chocolate Bears! They are sweet in flavor and shaped like cute teddy bears. Their mini-milk chocolate bears are individually to reveal a perfect bite of creamy, rich, milk chocolate – the perfect treat to make any child smile – young and old alike!

From the Mouth of a Kid:

The bears are so cute. I like letting them melt in my mouth!

From the Eyes of a Parent:

A special treat from time to time is always welcomed in our home and chocolate is the go to! These rich milk chocolate bears are the perfect little bite of pure milk chocolate goodness that my children and I love! Their high-quality flavor, affordable price, and adorable aesthetic make them a family favorite! My children loved learning where on the world map the bears came from.

Flavorful Features:

Choceur Mini Milk-Chocolate treats comes three holiday types:

• Mini Bears
• Mini Santas
• Mini Snowmen

Choceur Chocolate also comes in bars in a variety of flavors such as:

• Smooth White Chocolate
• Dark Hazelnut Chocolate
• Rich Almond Milk Chocolate
• Creamy Milk Chocolate
• Fruit and Nut Milk Chocolate
• And more!

The Icing on the Cake:

• No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
• Naturally gluten-free
• Made with real milk
• Made in Germany
• All-natural chocolate

Time to Eat?!

For dessert or a special treat.

Good to Go?

Yes, the small teddy bear shaped chocolates are individually wrapped. Note that they must be kept in a cool, dry place.

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.