Cooking with Kids: Brownie Bites
Brownies are my weakness. I vowed to stop baking them because the entire pan would always disappear way too fast. But when my kids suggested baking brownies last Saturday afternoon, I felt I must oblige them. Baking was an opportunity for a math lesson, right? And it was the perfect opportunity to break out my new Wilton silicone mini-brownie molds.
They were so excited to read and follow the recipe. My 4-year-old set the oven temperature (the interface of my Jenn-Air oven is so simple a 4-year-old can use it) while my 6-year-old handled the ingredients. He filled a Pyrex measuring pitcher with 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup applesauce, and 1/4 cup of water. The applesauce is a healthier replacement for two eggs -- and it ensured my wee little chefs could safely lick their fingers without getting Salmonella.
Since one got to measure the ingredients, the other one got to make a well in the dry ingredients and stir as the wet ingredients were poured. My 4-year-old was so proud to count 50 strokes, and I was amazed that the batter was well blended, requiring only a few folds of a spatula to integrate the last of the dry ingredients off the bottom of the bowl. For flair, I mixed in a handful of mini M&Ms.
I got out my new mini-brownie molds. It seemed like a great way to control portion size (theirs and mine). After they greased the pan with a stick of butter, they each used a child’s-sized spoon to drip the batter in the brownie pan like pros, taking special care to fill them up to the rim. I put the pan in the oven on a cookie sheet (according to the Wilton directions) while they got to do what they’d been waiting to do all along -- lick their fingers.
Checking the brownies with a toothpick, I took them out of the oven in about 35 minutes -- 10 minutes short of the suggested baking time for an 8 x 8 pan. My kids tried their best to inhale these “bites” in one bite, but they actually require at least two polite or three dainty bites.
They’re a smart way to ensure your kids don’t end up with Claim Jumper-sized brownies, and an automatic way to control your own intake. In this tidy form, they’re also easy to bring to a picnic or a meeting. I keep coming up with great reasons to make them (in order to justify making more).
--Martha Snodgrass
HopeSew on March 02, 2009 at 09:04 PM
"The applesauce is a healthier replacement for two eggs"
ROFL. These are BROWNIES. How does adding more sugar to a sugary snack make it healthier? (as though a person making brownies is really concerned about health)
Beth on March 03, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Well, I appreciate the exchange of applesauce for eggs, as we are seriously attempting to reduce the amount of fat in our diets. I'd be interested in your recipe--any plans to post it?
Gregg on March 03, 2009 at 11:17 AM
So I clicked the links looking for the Wilton square brownie molds, but couldn't find them. What gives?
nishan on May 17, 2009 at 08:17 AM
Thanks for all the information, came across this site and would like to share it with other moms –
http://www.bizymoms.com/kids_cooking/index.php
helps you teach your children to cook and information on the numerous benefits enjoyed by moms who encourage their kids to cook. Check it out as there are loads of healthy recipes for your kids.