Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, the humble pumpkin becomes one of America’s most popular foods. If you’re making pumpkin treats for the family, why not get the kids involved? Our selection of kid-friendly pumpkin recipes will help you teach children the basics of cooking while whipping up some tasty treats.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
These pumpkin treats are delicious. They’re also gluten-free, making them ideal for family members who have gluten sensitivities. You’ll need:
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup soy, almond, or rice milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cup gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup chocolate chips
For the cinnamon glaze:
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon margarine, melted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch ground cinnamon
Preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Whisk the oil, sugar, non-dairy milk and teaspoon of vanilla together, then sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. When well-combined fold in the canned pumpkin and chocolate chips. Do not over stir at this point or the batter will get sticky and gummy.
Fill the cupcake liners two-thirds full of the batter. Bake for 24 to 26 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the cupcake cleanly. Let cool on a wire rack while you make the glaze.
Whisk the honey, margarine, ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a bowl. Use a fork to drizzle the glaze over the cooled cupcakes.
Pumpkin Yogurt Smoothies
These pumpkin treats are easy to make, even with the help of small children. Just stir a cup of pumpkin puree into vanilla yogurt. Add layers of granola for a fun pumpkin parfait!
Pumpkin Pudding Pie
This year, why not let the kids make a Thanksgiving dessert? This simple recipe makes for a delicious post-meal pumpkin treat. You’ll need:
- 1 packet instant vanilla pudding
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
- One pre-made graham cracker crust
- Whipped cream (optional)
Help children measure the first four ingredients into a large bowl. Whisk together until smooth, and then pour into the graham cracker crust. Chill for two hours and serve with whipped cream.
Waiting for your pumpkin treats to cool or chill? Why not spend the time with some kid-friendly pumpkin crafts?
