Salt Dough Activity

Salt Dough Ornaments

As this Holiday Season is upon us, I know I am always looking for activities to do with my children.

Whether it  is enjoying the winter weather outside or making holiday treats in the kitchen, I like to try to come up with some non-food related activities!!

I found a number of Salt-Dough recipes and ideas on the internet!  NOT FOR EATING but for decorating, these are a fun, easy, hands on kitchen activity you can do with children of all ages!

How to make salt dough:

• 1 cup salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• Up to 1 1/2 cup of warm water (add gradually)
• Straw or toothpick to make hole for hanging
• Yarn, ribbon or string

Method:

Combine the salt and flour then pour in the water gradually, stopping when it has become dough-like and not too sticky. There should be no residue left on your fingers when you touch it. Knead it on a floured surface for a few minutes to make it soft, workable and stretchy, like you would with any dough.

You may add color to the dough by mixing food coloring into the water before adding it to the flour/salt mix.

Choose a range of cookie cutter shapes and simply cut straight from the dough.  Poke a straw through the centre, near the top, of each shape so that a ribbon can be threaded through later.

Lay them on some greaseproof or baking paper and on a baking tray. Cook them on a VERY low heat (250 degrees F) for up to 3 hours. If the shapes are over 1cm thick then they will probably need to be turned over during cooking.

It is VERY important not to have the oven on too high. This will cause the salt dough to bubble up and fill with air, as essentially it is being cooked. What you are really aiming for is to dry them out thoroughly, over a slow period of time.

Let the “ornaments” cool completely. Then paint using acrylic paints and decorate them as you like. Makes about 2 dozen pieces, but please do not eat them! These are for decorative purposes only.

To see more info on salt dough click here.

Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringue Kisses

Looking for some healthy treat ideas that you can make with your kids as you get ready for the holidays???

 

Piping cookies from a pastry bag is a lot of fun, and the work goes quickly. But you can just as easily make these into drop cookies, if you prefer. Just drop them by level tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.

Worthy of a special occasion

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Yield: 4 dozen (serving size: 4 kisses)

Recipe from

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup finely chopped hazelnuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• Dash of salt
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. 2. Combine first 3 ingredients in a food processor; process until finely ground. Combine hazelnut mixture, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and cornstarch in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.
3. 3. Place egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Add granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating at high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold hazelnut mixture and vanilla into egg mixture.
4. 4. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon egg white mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe 48 (1 1/2-inch-round) mounds onto prepared baking sheets. Bake at 325° for 25 minutes or until meringues are done and dry to the touch. (Meringues are done when surface is dry and meringues can be removed from paper without sticking to fingers.) Turn oven off; partially open oven door. Cool meringues in oven 30 minutes. Remove from oven; carefully remove meringues from paper.

Rold Gold Everything Bagel Pretzels

I know kids love chips…. don’t we all!

But pretzels are a healthier low fat alternative,

I came across these recently!

If your kids like everything bagels – they will love these!!

For more information click here.