Celebrations
Here's a really fun idea to spend some quality time with your son or daughter while baking together in the kitchen for Valentine's Day. Not only will you end up with original delicious treats that you and your family can eat, you'll be creating memories with your child that will last a life time.
From the moment I saw this creative Heart-Shaped Pink Pretzel Bread idea for Valentine's Day in the fanciful new book Make and Takes for Kids: 50 Crafts Throughout the Year by Marie LeBaron (Wiley, 11/7/11, $18.99), I knew I just had to try making these to share with this blog's readers. Watch for a separate review soon about why I like this book so much and more on its great arts and crafts projects for children to make at home and at school for just about every season and holiday.
These darling pretzels are certainly perfect for parties and snacks on the Day of Hearts. They'd also make a thoughtful gift for a favorite teacher or even Grandpa. But they are also great for bonding children, parents and others, and to also help youngsters develop fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. From babies and toddlers who will have a blast just watching Mommy (and/or Daddy) in the kitchen working on this project to preschoolers through teens getting involved in more age-appropriate ways, don't be surprised if the whole family wants to join in.
Your child can even give these pink pretzels as valentines to their friends packaged in darling, inexpensive Valentine-themed mini cardboard bakery boxes like these.
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| My homemade bread dough, ready to shape into pretzels |
Best of all these treats are unbelievably easy to make so you and your kids will probably want to bake them year-round. Full step-by-step directions are in Make and Takes for Kids. In summary, all that's required is a package of store-bought bread dough found in the frozen section at the supermarket that you roll and shape into hearts on a cookie sheet.
Just prior to popping the pretzels in the oven to bake, you use red or pink food coloring to tint the salt (coarse Kosher salt is best). If you're really adventurous you can even use your favorite recipe to make homemade bread dough from scratch using flour, water and yeast and then dye it pink like I did.
You can never take enough pictures and/or video of your kids having fun (or of their finished projects) so be sure to capture the memories for the future before the family devours these!
Just prior to popping the pretzels in the oven to bake, you use red or pink food coloring to tint the salt (coarse Kosher salt is best). If you're really adventurous you can even use your favorite recipe to make homemade bread dough from scratch using flour, water and yeast and then dye it pink like I did.
You can never take enough pictures and/or video of your kids having fun (or of their finished projects) so be sure to capture the memories for the future before the family devours these!
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| Shaped Heart Pretzel with tinted salt & ready to bake |
A Note to Parents:
Remember, kids should never be in the kitchen without supervision and it is the parent's responsibility to ensure the safety of your children at all times.
I hope you'll give this edible holiday craft a try and leave a comment describing your experience. As a matter of fact, I hope you'll feel free to share your own holiday creative baking ideas suitable for kids below this post, too.
I hope you'll give this edible holiday craft a try and leave a comment describing your experience. As a matter of fact, I hope you'll feel free to share your own holiday creative baking ideas suitable for kids below this post, too.
More Creative Valentine Kid Fun
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