Spring time enrichment

What an amazing, exciting time it is.  My spring enrichment class began this week. A great groups of kids; such life, excitement and spunk!

My class was such a big hit back in the fall that my enrollment has increased this time around. I'm now teaching two days instead of one. The age group ranges from Kindergarten to Fourth Grade.  A busy mama I am, but so very grateful!  Bringing new, healthy ideas and engaging the kids to want to cook and eat healthy food is so very dear to me!  Oh my heart feels so very full!

During last session, I found cooking with limited equipment, such as an oven or stove, a challenge.  I do have a toaster oven and a microwave to use, but I do need to be creative.  I've also learned that keeping 12 children busy during the "waiting" part of cooking is important.  This year I've decided to add some education material to use; such as coloring pages, measurement charts, food pyramids etc.

This week we made granola bars.  Really, what kid doesn't like them? Soft, chewy goodness.  The store brands can be pricey and many are filled with additives and preservatives.    These are so easy to make, have pure ingredients, and cost only pennies you really must try them yourselves!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats {not rolled oats!}
1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased small jelly roll pan {about 12x8x1} and press out to be about 3/4 inch in thickness. {If your pan isn't small enough, pack the mixture into one side. You really want to press them down so they stick together.} Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and press down lightly. Cool on a counter top to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Recipe Notes: If your granola bars don't seem to be staying together when you cut them, you may have not boiled the mixture long enough...you want it to make it just past the softball stage. OR you made them too thin or you didn't pack them in tight enough. Stick them in the fridge for 20 minutes and that should help keep them together. {Be sure not to keep them in there too long or else they'll become super hard!}.

It is such an exciting time for us all.  I'm looking forward to creating with these 24 marvelous children for the next 5 weeks!  Check back here often to see what we've been cooking up in class and around my home!

Thank you for stopping by!