If these back-to-school fun facts were not enough to get your kids revved up for the first day of class, then consider making the transition a bit easier by heading to the… kitchen.
Kids love to eat and often they are more likely to consume healthy meals if they have a hand at making them and the foods are fun to eat. Before the first day of school rolls around, try out these fun recipes for nutritious back-to-school snacks that can be packed in a lunch box or eaten when class is over for the day.
MUNCHY MOUTH
Ingredients:
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
2 tablespoons soft cream cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 medium-size red apple, cored and cut into 16 wedges
Miniature marshmallows
Directions:
In a small bowl, stir peanut butter, cream cheese, and cinnamon until well mixed.
Spread mixture on one side of each apple wedge.
Stick together two wedges to make “lips,” then tuck in a few marshmallows for the “teeth.”
HEALTHY SNACK MIX
2 cups dried apple chunks
1 package (6 or 7 ounces) dried apricots, halved and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 cups Rice or Corn Chex cereal
1 cup Corn Pops cereal
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup coconut
1 cup slivered almonds
Directions:
In a large Ziploc bag, combine apples, apricots, cereal, marshmallows, coconut, and almonds.
Seal bag and shake until well mixed.
PEANUT BUTTER DINOSAUR COOKIES
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Frosting
Sprinkles
Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Mix ingredients together until light and fluffy.
Add flour and salt.
Beat until soft dough forms.
Divide dough in half.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill 2 to 3 hours, or until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
On well-floured surface, roll half of dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
Use dinosaur-shaped cookie cutters on dough.
Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased sheets.
Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, or until set.
Cool completely.
Decorate cookies with frosting and sprinkles.
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