Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Hello, Friends!
As hard as it is to bid goodbye to summer,
we are equally excited to welcome autumn…
the weather,
the landscapes,
the clothes,
the food,
the celebrations!
Bring it all on!
Last week we shared a favorite fall activity,
one we always looked forward to each year…
with our students and our own young children!
Nowadays, we are excited to visit the pumpkin patch and/or the apple orchard
with our grandchildren,
our Littles,
as we create new memories to share together!
Today Laura is sharing an easy and tasty cooking activity
you can do with your Littles,
as a follow up to an apple orchard visit
or simply as a yummy fall treat you prepare together!
Cooking with Littles can be such an adventure!
Did you know that it provides learning opportunities for your Littles
as well as loads of delicious fun?
Cooking encourages children's thinking, problem-solving, and creativity!
It also provides needed opportunities to use the knowledge they have and apply it
by counting, measuring, following a sequence and following directions!
So… let’s get cookin!
Last weekend, Little L and her mommy and daddy (and pup-sister, Alli)
came for a visit!
I (Laura) had picked up some honeycrisp apples at the farmer’s market
and was ready to do some baking with my favorite toddler!
The fun began when I pulled out my trusty apple peeler/corer/slicer.
Little L was enthralled, just as her mommy and auntie had been so many years ago!
I remember back to past years as a teacher, too,
when I’d bring this gadget to school
the day after our field trip to the orchard.
My first graders and then my kindergartners loved to take turns peeling the apples,
as they’d nibble their collection of peelings, too!
Little L was no different!!!
DELICIOUS!!!
A Grand Tip!
At Gramma & Grampa’s house we do not have a Toddler Tower
SO
Little L used a two-step stepping stool!
This worked perfectly, especially since she is now old enough
to balance all by herself… BIG GIRL!
And Now… Back to Cooking…
Once the apples had been peeled, cored, sliced
and… dare we say, sampled,
Little L and I got busy cooking!
😋
For many years,
these Apple Pizzas were made in my kindergarten classroom
to culminate our Apple Week activities!
We’d prepare the pizzas in our classroom and then we’d march them down
to the cafeteria where our lunchroom staff
would graciously bake them for us!
The smells of cinnamon, sugar and apples would fill the school hallways
as we anticipated what was to come!
Read on for our recipe…
And, remember… your Littles (toddler and older) can help
with most every step along the way!
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 tube Grands original refrigerated biscuits
• 1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar (you can make more if you use more apples)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 or 3 medium apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• melted butter
DIRECTIONS
1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place parchment paper on a large sheet pan. Lightly add cooking spray.
2) Cut each biscuit in half or into thirds, depending on your preferred size. Pat the dough or roll it out into thin 2 or 3 inch circles (these will puff up while baking).
3) If you have not done so already, peel, core, slice/chop apples into bite size pieces.
A Grand Tip!
Older Littles (preschool and up)
can use a plastic knife to help you cut sliced apples
into smaller chunks!
4) In a bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Add the apples and mix well.
5). Spoon the apple mixture onto each biscuit.
A Grand Tip!
This was Little L’s favorite step,
but be on the lookout!
Little L wanted to put as much in her mouth as on the biscuit…
I had a tough time keeping up! YUM!
6). Sprinkle cheese over each pizza. (We know some of you are wondering about this step, but, trust us, it’s truly delicious!)
7). Bake the pizzas for about 12-15 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.
8). Remove the pan from the oven. Brush melted butter over the top of each pizza.
Ready to Serve & Enjoy!
We hope you and your Littles
enjoy making and eating these special pizzas
as much as Laura’s family (and students) have over the years!
If you give these a try, we’d love to hear what you think!
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this post
or email us directly at ourgrandlives@gmail.com.
Here’s links to three more of our favorite apple treats to make with and for
the Littles in your lives!
From Beyond Cereal
Fresh, crisp, and delicious apple slices topped with your favorite spreads and toppings like granola, sprinkles, chocolate, or fruit, make these no bake apple donuts an irresistible treat.
From I Heart Naptime
Once you’ve made this homemade version, you’ll never go back to store-bought! Made with only a few fresh ingredients and oh SO delicious!
From I Planned That
An oldie but a goodie with only 3 ingredients!
including the following activities…
(tap on each link to learn more!)
Check them out if you’re looking for new ways to engage with your Littles!
We hope you’ll stop back on Thursday for an extra special post
when we will share a favorite apple story,
one we love telling the Littles in our lives!
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Busy Mondays from A Pinch of Joy
Thursday's Favortie Things from Eclectic Red Barn
Thursday's Favortie Things from An Artful Mom
ge•ner•ic Link Up Party from Gma'sPhoto
A Morning Cup of Joe from The Cottage Market
Thank you ALL for featuring this post on your site!
❤ We love our blogging community! ❤
❤️ We are delighted to join these link up parties and blog hops:
These sound great. I wondered about the cheese. But you said it tastes great and I enjoy cheese so I think I'll go for it.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friends.
What a delicious treat. And such a cute little one! I'm happy to tell you I'll be featuring this post at Thursday Favorite Things today, starting at 10 a.m. CST. :)
Wow, I miss baking with my grand babies. That was always so precious. Congratulations, you are being featured on TFT. I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2023/10/it-is-fall-yall-on-tft.html
Hugs,
Bev
The apple pizzas you mentioned sound delightful. I truly value the opportunity to cook with children and the connection it fosters. Thank you for taking the time to participate in our Crazy Little Love Birds link party #7 by sharing this wonderful post. We would love it if you joined us again this Friday at 9 a.m. MST. 😊
I absolutely love this post! I spent over 30 years in early childhood education. The value of cooking with kids goes so far beyond the food. Thanks for sharing this - and thanks for sharing at the Lazy Gastronome's What's for Dinner party. Hope to see you again at tomorrow's party!