Cook It In a Cup, by Julia Myall, ill. Greg Lowe
When I went to the in-laws to pick up my daughter from her very first sleepover last year, I found her standing at the counter with her grandma, baking cookies. She barely looked up at my arrival, so engrossed was she in this shared activity. It was a beautiful moment.
Want a little bit of that this holiday? Even the most kitchen-averse grandparent can take the hint and follow the recipes in this fun and simple cookbook and baking-cup set.
No, really - I have burnt water twice this year, and I have managed a few of these without too much fuss! Making it a great activity for a kid, especially since individual portions in separate cups means no arguing among kids and less sharing of other (germy) things, while the rainbow of silicone cups included just give the whole thing a dash of fun.
From small breakfasty things and snacks to small portions of real-meal items to dessert, this book has a little bit of everything in it, so there will be something new to try for quite a while, and getting kids in on the prep can make any mealtime a bit more fun, or turn a dull afternoon into a yummy together treat.
What I really liked about this book, too, is that while the directions are written simply and clearly so that they are easy to follow, this is real food, from scratch. Which also makes it a great way to foster a love of cooking, to emphasize nutritious eating, and to create a sense of achievement while you are sharing an activity. Not to mention that the banana chocolate chip muffins I made from this book? Delicious. Just remember to let them cool before you flip them out of the cups.
The only thing left to worry about is who gets to lick the spoon.