Happy September! I don’t know about you, but one of my big themes this month is APPLES so here are a few fun recipes that I think “KIDS in your KITCHEN” will enjoy! Have fun.

 Apple Jell-O/Pudding Cut Outs:

Ingredients & Directions:

My room-helper Cheryl made these for my Y5’s. They LOVED them!

• 2 large RED boxes of Jell-O
• 2 ½ Cups boiling water
• Mix well
• Let set on counter 30 minutes.
• 1 Large INSTANT Vanilla pudding
• 1 Cup milk
• Whisk until blended.
• Pour into Jell-O
• Beat or Mix well.
• Pour into 9x13 greased pan.
• Let set.
• Cut into squares or with apple cookie cutter.

Apple Parfaits: Core, slice, and peel an apple. Let your child use a plastic knife to cut the apple slices into small pieces. Help them make Apple Parfaits by layering vanilla yogurt, the apple pieces, and granola in clear-plastic cups.

Apple Smiles: Cut apples into quarters. Let your child “frost” them with peanut butter and then push mini marshmallows into the peanut butter so that they look like “teeth”.

Cinnamon Applesauce:

Core, slice, and peel 3-4 sweet apples. Let your child place the apple slices and ½ cup water in a sauce pan. Cover and simmer on low heat until the apples are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. When the apples are cool, let them use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples into applesauce. Stir in sugar and cinnamon to taste.

Cider Splash: Add a scoop of cinnamon ice cream to some hot apple cider and stir with a stick candy.

Apple Gelatin Cups: Mix one packet of unsweetened gelatin with one cup of hot water. Let your child stir the mixture until the gelatin dissolves. Then have your child add one cup of apple juice concentrate and continue stirring. Pour gelatin into small cups and chill.

Apple Rings: Remove the core from an apple. Fill the hole with peanut butter. Chill, then slice the apple horizontally into rings.

(Craft Idea) Apple Crayons:

You will need:

• Broken RED, GREEN, YELLOW crayons
• Apple candy mold
• Heavy-Duty Paper Cups
• Pot holder

Directions:

• Remove paper from crayons
• Put into a heavy paper cup
• Place one cup of crayons in a microwave oven for 30 seconds or more.
• Microwaves vary so start out with the seconds and go from there. 
• Cover with a piece of paper towel.
• Using a pot holder carefully pour the melted wax into the apple candy mold.
• Place the candy mold in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the wax is hard.
• Pop the crayons out and let dry from condensation on a piece of paper towel.
• Since I teach my students that apples come in 3 different colors, you can make red, green and yellow crayon apples.
• Only melt ONE cup at a time. Make sure the glass tray in your microwave is cool before you melt another batch. Be careful not to burn yourself with the hot wax. Make sure your heavy paper cups are microwave safe.

What better thing to go with melted CRAYONS than a KIDS' COLORING COOKBOOK! Click on the link to get some cute pix and recipes.

These next yummy 3 1/2 to 4 1/2  STAR ranked recipes are from the site Eating Well . They advertise "Good Taste Meets Good Health."

Click here for a yummy Apple Muffin recipe.

Click here for an Apple Cupcake with Cinnamon Marshmallow Frosting recipe.

Click here for Baked Apple Cinnamon French Toast

Click here for Maple Cinnamon Applesauce.

This is a fun time to make CARAMELED Apples with your little one.  Click on the link for a good recipe.

Or…

Make a batch of RED, GREEN, & YELLOW Play-Dough so they can make their own pretend apples and apple cookies. Here's how:

(Craft Idea) Dough Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Flour
• 1 Cup salt
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 red teaspoon food coloring
• ½  teaspoon alcohol
• 2 cups water

Directions:

• Mix ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Stir continuously, until the dough leaves the sides of the pan.
• Take out of pan.
• When cool to the touch, knead for a few minutes.