Winter Break

Diva is officially on winter break from school starting today, which means Munchie Mom is on break too.  I have Mondays off, so today, by Diva's request, we painted cookies.  We started doing this either last year or the year before, and she really enjoys it.

I saw the idea from the Pioneer Woman, and we use her recipe, except I've had to double the amount of milk because my dough always ends up coming out too dry.  For the painting part I also substitute egg beaters to egg yolks, mostly for the ease of just measuring the egg beaters (I use about 2 tbls per color), the pasteurization thing, and they also seem to color with the food coloring a little truer than the straight egg yolk.

The cookie cutters were passed down to me by my sister-in-law.  They are classic, but also a little tricky to get to cut and get out of the cutter too.  This year I used a cooking spray / flour combo that helped for the most part.  I really want these (hint, hint anyone that needs to still get me a gift!).

Here's Diva, ready to paint!

and here's her bear before and after.  She likes to paint carefully and lightly, but the more you pile on the egg wash, the better.

and I had to get in on the action too- my Kermit before and after



We haven't added icing yet... I'm not sure if I will.  They are pretty tasty without really.

If you haven't tried cookie painting- do it!  It's really fun for kids!

With the holiday break I won't be back to posting until Tuesday, January 3.  I hope that you all have Happy Holidays!  Thanks for reading my little blog, and supporting me in my crazy snacks too!  It really is your encouragement that keeps me going.

Munchie Mom (Kristen)

Day 67

Gingerbread boy

cantaloupe body cut with cookie cutter, sprinkle features, candy cane bonus

Day 66

Wreath

cucumber wreath cut with a crinkle cutter, dried cranberry berries, pretzel twist and rod bow

Day 65

string of Christmas lights
(my sketch and vision was better than the actual result)

grape light bulbs with oyster cracker bases, string cheese string, marshmallow additions to make it look festive

Day 64

Angel

mini bagel with cream cheese body, fruit by the foot wings and halo, marshmallow head with edible marker features, heart sprinkle mouth

Day 63

Nativity

pretzel nativity, saltine cracker manger with pretzel base, pineapple Christmas star, star goldfish crackers (from the space adventures bag)

Day 62

Reindeer

cinnamon sugar toast head, pretzel antlers, chocolate chip eyes, sixlet nose, Christmas marshmallow decoration

Day 61

Santa Hat

grape hat, cauliflower trip and tip

Day 60

Holly

cucumber leaves, grape berries

Day 59

I forgot to post yesterday that it was a no snack day.  Diva had Daisies after school, and then we joined the ballet moms and girls for dinner and gingerbread house making at Young Chef's Academy.  It was so much fun!  It was great to decorate, but not have to do any of the prep or clean up.

Today... well... it was bound to happen.  My plan for today was to make stockings.  Easy enough right?  String cheese top, apple bottom.  I could not get that darn apple shaped correctly.  So, here's what I have, 5 minutes before the bus arrives...

Luckily I had sketched some other ideas last week that I didn't use.  Diva is learning about Hanukkah in school, but she called it "Monica".  Well, I thought I would do a themed snack.  However, I got nervous.  I'm not Jewish, and I didn't want to mess it up.  So, I hope the following is correct, and doesn't offend anyone!

Dreidel

Apple base, string cheese top and gimel inscription (according to Wikipedia, which I hope is correct!)

Day 58

Ornament

clementine bulb, fruit snack and cheerio hanger, Christmas marshmallows around the plate

Day 57

Swimmer

Fruit by the foot water, gingersnap cookie head, heart sprinkle mouth, mini chocolate chip eye, fruit by the foot cap, goggles drawn with edible marker, broken animal cracker arm

**  Lesson learned by Munchie Mom-- fruit roll ups when applied directly to the plate will stick.  Case in point, Ferb from a few weeks ago adhered to the plate tremendously, in that Diva couldn't eat it, and I had trouble washing it off.  Wax paper is highly recommended **