Kaylea Hutson's Blog, page 23
August 6, 2012
DIY: Kool-Aid Playdough
Getting ready for a teacher training - where I'm going to walk them through a Sunday School lesson - I decided toss in a "how to modify" the activity example.
The lesson calls for using pieces from nature to explain about creation.
Ok, let's face it - after multiple days of 100 degree weather, our nature examples are a wee bit, well, dry.
So I wanted to show them how you can keep the spirit of the lesson - talking about creation - using an artistic style (the focus of the other idea) while trying something different.
So I decided to make Kool-Aid Playdough.
I first made this recipe in the latter-1990s, while working as a "girl friday" volunteer at Nicholasville UMC. It was a youth group favorite (I'm not sure why we made it - probably a gal small group activity) - and we even included it into the church's 200th anniversary cookbook, sponsored by the church.
I knew the kool-aid part of dough would engage the user's 'smell" sense, while the "dough" would let them "create something."
Since I couldn't remember the recipe - and I was standing in a store when I thought of this idea - I googled the words "Kool-Aid playdough."
When I got home and dug out the original recipe, I found that the online idea was basically different by only one ingredient - Cream of Tarter. (The original recipe didn't call for it.)
So I made two batches - the orange (top photo) is the original recipe, while the pale yellow (bottom photo) was made with Cream of Tarter.
Anyway, the dough is made with five easy ingredients.
Flour, Salt & Kool-Aid
Water & Cooking Oil
And the optional sixth ingredient - Cream of Tartar.
What I Learned.
The one with the Cream of Tarter blended into a smoother consistency. Both blended well - using boiling water makes the salt dissolve (unlike regular salt/flour dough).
Additionally, in my original recipe notes, I said the dough doesn't hold its color as it dries - and that it doesn't dry well.
Obviously, from the picture above, Lemonade Kool-Aid doesn't "pop" with yellow color. It also doesn't have a strong scent - if I remember right, Grape and Cherry made amazing dough, but since I couldn't remember if the color 'bled" onto the user's hands, I decided to stick with non "red dye" colors.
Anyway, I also "kneaded" it with my Kitchen-Aid using the dough hook - WOW that was amazingly easier than I remembered, because it lets you mix it up while hot, without burning your hands.
In all, both batches made 10, 1/3 cup balls of play-dough. I divided it into ziplock bags, so it would be easy to pass out during the lesson.
(For adults - and kids - who don't want to get their hands "gooey" with the dough, I'm also going to pass out pipe cleaners. Ultimately, the user will be able to "create" something - while using some of their five senses - with an artistic twist.)
Next time, I might double the amount of Kool-Aid, to see if it increases the color and the smell factors.
FYI: I stuck with a veggie-based oil, just in case a nut-based oil might give someone an allergic reaction.
Kool-Aid Playdough
3-1/2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Salt
2 pkgs., unsweetened Kool-Aid
3 Tbsp. Cooking Oil (I used Canola)
2 cups Water, boiling.
Optional: 1 tsp. Cream of Tarter
Boil the water. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
When the water has boiled, mix in the ingredients together, until well blended. (If you don't have a mixer with dough hook attachment, you'll want to use your hands to kneed it until smooth.)
Store in an airtight container.
(It made approx. 11, 1/3 cup balls of dough.)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The lesson calls for using pieces from nature to explain about creation.
Ok, let's face it - after multiple days of 100 degree weather, our nature examples are a wee bit, well, dry.
So I wanted to show them how you can keep the spirit of the lesson - talking about creation - using an artistic style (the focus of the other idea) while trying something different.
So I decided to make Kool-Aid Playdough.
I first made this recipe in the latter-1990s, while working as a "girl friday" volunteer at Nicholasville UMC. It was a youth group favorite (I'm not sure why we made it - probably a gal small group activity) - and we even included it into the church's 200th anniversary cookbook, sponsored by the church.
I knew the kool-aid part of dough would engage the user's 'smell" sense, while the "dough" would let them "create something."
Since I couldn't remember the recipe - and I was standing in a store when I thought of this idea - I googled the words "Kool-Aid playdough."
When I got home and dug out the original recipe, I found that the online idea was basically different by only one ingredient - Cream of Tarter. (The original recipe didn't call for it.)
So I made two batches - the orange (top photo) is the original recipe, while the pale yellow (bottom photo) was made with Cream of Tarter.
Anyway, the dough is made with five easy ingredients.
Flour, Salt & Kool-Aid
Water & Cooking Oil
And the optional sixth ingredient - Cream of Tartar.
What I Learned.
The one with the Cream of Tarter blended into a smoother consistency. Both blended well - using boiling water makes the salt dissolve (unlike regular salt/flour dough).
Additionally, in my original recipe notes, I said the dough doesn't hold its color as it dries - and that it doesn't dry well.
Obviously, from the picture above, Lemonade Kool-Aid doesn't "pop" with yellow color. It also doesn't have a strong scent - if I remember right, Grape and Cherry made amazing dough, but since I couldn't remember if the color 'bled" onto the user's hands, I decided to stick with non "red dye" colors.
Anyway, I also "kneaded" it with my Kitchen-Aid using the dough hook - WOW that was amazingly easier than I remembered, because it lets you mix it up while hot, without burning your hands.
In all, both batches made 10, 1/3 cup balls of play-dough. I divided it into ziplock bags, so it would be easy to pass out during the lesson.
(For adults - and kids - who don't want to get their hands "gooey" with the dough, I'm also going to pass out pipe cleaners. Ultimately, the user will be able to "create" something - while using some of their five senses - with an artistic twist.)
Next time, I might double the amount of Kool-Aid, to see if it increases the color and the smell factors.
FYI: I stuck with a veggie-based oil, just in case a nut-based oil might give someone an allergic reaction.
Kool-Aid Playdough
3-1/2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Salt
2 pkgs., unsweetened Kool-Aid
3 Tbsp. Cooking Oil (I used Canola)
2 cups Water, boiling.
Optional: 1 tsp. Cream of Tarter
Boil the water. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
When the water has boiled, mix in the ingredients together, until well blended. (If you don't have a mixer with dough hook attachment, you'll want to use your hands to kneed it until smooth.)
Store in an airtight container.
(It made approx. 11, 1/3 cup balls of dough.)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
August 5, 2012
Pinterest Instant Mac & Cheese
This could be subtitled: Pinterest strikes again or What happens when you search for info when you are hungry.
I'll be honest. I like Mac &; Cheese.
While I like homemade mac & cheese, I am not adverse to eating the "boxed" treat.
So I was interested to stumble across a way to make "homemade" yet "instant" mac and cheese, in the microwave.
You start with either a microwave safe bowl, or a large mug. (I fixed the pasta in a bowl, because I wasn't sure how much it would expand).
Add 1/3 cup of pasta (I had small shells in my pantry) and 1/2 cup of water.
Microwave it on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Then cook it for 2 to 4 minutes - until the pasta is cooked thourghely and the water is completely absorbed (the time varies based upon the wattage of the microwave.)
In the mug (or another bowl) mix together 1/4 cup of milk (the original recipe called for 1 percent),
and then add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Ok, this is where I used what was in my fridge - and swapped it out for "fiesta blend" - a mix of cheeses.
Anyway, mix the milk and cheese together, with the pasta, then microwave it for at least a minute - until the cheese melts in to a yummy gooey consistency.
So basically, with a few regular ingredients - and a mug - I was able to recreate what my niece and nephew like to eat (the microwave cup of mac and cheese) without all of the "extra" ingredients.
A few of things I learned.
1) The cheese didn't melt completely smooth - but that's ok.
2) Shells don't cook up as much (so my mixture was a bit runny). I might have added a bit more to start with.
3) It cooked really fast. This would be an easy 'after school" snack for kiddos - not enough to "ruin" supper, but enough to give them a single-serving snack.
4) It tasted ok using the fiesta blend, but I'm wondering if regular cheddar or even Velvetta cheese would taste better.
5) If you use the mug to boil the water and pasta, it might overflow. The original recipe said you can add additional water - it suggested a teaspoon at a time, until the pasta is cooked.
Mug of Instant Mac & Cheese
1/3 cup Pasta
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup milk (1 percent)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Mix the pasta and water in a large mug or bowl. Cook for two minutes on high in the microwave. Stir. Repeat the cooking process for two to four minutes, (stirring after two), until the water is absorbed and the pasta is finished.
Then add the milk and cheese. Mix it together, and microwave for an additional minute (or two) until it is melted.
Stir again and when it's well blended, enjoy!
Source: See the original pin here.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I'll be honest. I like Mac &; Cheese.
While I like homemade mac & cheese, I am not adverse to eating the "boxed" treat.
So I was interested to stumble across a way to make "homemade" yet "instant" mac and cheese, in the microwave.
You start with either a microwave safe bowl, or a large mug. (I fixed the pasta in a bowl, because I wasn't sure how much it would expand).
Add 1/3 cup of pasta (I had small shells in my pantry) and 1/2 cup of water.
Microwave it on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Then cook it for 2 to 4 minutes - until the pasta is cooked thourghely and the water is completely absorbed (the time varies based upon the wattage of the microwave.)
In the mug (or another bowl) mix together 1/4 cup of milk (the original recipe called for 1 percent),
and then add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Ok, this is where I used what was in my fridge - and swapped it out for "fiesta blend" - a mix of cheeses.
Anyway, mix the milk and cheese together, with the pasta, then microwave it for at least a minute - until the cheese melts in to a yummy gooey consistency.
So basically, with a few regular ingredients - and a mug - I was able to recreate what my niece and nephew like to eat (the microwave cup of mac and cheese) without all of the "extra" ingredients.
A few of things I learned.
1) The cheese didn't melt completely smooth - but that's ok.
2) Shells don't cook up as much (so my mixture was a bit runny). I might have added a bit more to start with.
3) It cooked really fast. This would be an easy 'after school" snack for kiddos - not enough to "ruin" supper, but enough to give them a single-serving snack.
4) It tasted ok using the fiesta blend, but I'm wondering if regular cheddar or even Velvetta cheese would taste better.
5) If you use the mug to boil the water and pasta, it might overflow. The original recipe said you can add additional water - it suggested a teaspoon at a time, until the pasta is cooked.
Mug of Instant Mac & Cheese
1/3 cup Pasta
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup milk (1 percent)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Mix the pasta and water in a large mug or bowl. Cook for two minutes on high in the microwave. Stir. Repeat the cooking process for two to four minutes, (stirring after two), until the water is absorbed and the pasta is finished.
Then add the milk and cheese. Mix it together, and microwave for an additional minute (or two) until it is melted.
Stir again and when it's well blended, enjoy!
Source: See the original pin here.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
August 4, 2012
THINK
I found this image on Pinterest this week (here's a link to the original etsy store.)
With everything floating around social media, the mainstream news and well, life, this image reminded me of a huge lesson I want students to learn - to THINK first, before they act or speak.
THINK
Is it:
True
Helpful (or Honest)
Inspiring
Necessary
Kind
It also reminds me of this Bible Verse - another thing I want kids to think about, especially as Tweens when they go to movies, watch DVDs, surf websites, hang out on social media and/or read books.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8, NLT)
I just wish everyone followed this rule. Hey I can dream right?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
August 3, 2012
Reality
July is the first month this year I didn't manage to have a blog post each day.
Ok, technically it was June, since I went back after camp and the mission trip to make up some posts.
But July is the first month that the post count doesn't match or exceed the number of days.
I decided that quality, not quantity is the goal for this blog.
It's to inspire me to write and expand my creativity. It's to give me a place to ramble about my faith (albeit the piece I open to the public). It's my online sketch pad of sorts.
But it's not a way to lock me into something controlling. Binding. Something to feel like a failure with if I can't make a post.
So maybe I'm finding a way to rest (word for 2012) or maybe I'm just growing up.
It could be I'm just accepting the path that God has given my writing - and realize I might not have something to say each day.
And just maybe, like the lesson from Wednesday's chapel service, I'm thinking twice and typing once.
Who knows. But just in case you noticed I this is why I missed a few days in July.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Ok, technically it was June, since I went back after camp and the mission trip to make up some posts.
But July is the first month that the post count doesn't match or exceed the number of days.
I decided that quality, not quantity is the goal for this blog.
It's to inspire me to write and expand my creativity. It's to give me a place to ramble about my faith (albeit the piece I open to the public). It's my online sketch pad of sorts.
But it's not a way to lock me into something controlling. Binding. Something to feel like a failure with if I can't make a post.
So maybe I'm finding a way to rest (word for 2012) or maybe I'm just growing up.
It could be I'm just accepting the path that God has given my writing - and realize I might not have something to say each day.
And just maybe, like the lesson from Wednesday's chapel service, I'm thinking twice and typing once.
Who knows. But just in case you noticed I this is why I missed a few days in July.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
August 2, 2012
John Wesley comes to chapel
John Wesley went to chapel on Wednesday as my "action figure" that I needed for my "eyes and ears" sermonette.
The gist - we have two eyes to see what God wants us to learn and two ears to hear what God wants us to know.
In order to do this we need to exercise them to keep in shape (to hear/see God's messages). - pst planting the idea of spiritual disciplines.
This is where John came in. The kids had to watch closely to "see" what he did - and mimic it. They also had to listen to my queues to do something else.
The sub theme: We have two eyes and ears, but only one mouth. So maybe we should look and listen double the amount of times we talk.
This the second time I've used Mark Burrows' Wow Time as the basis of my chapel sermon for the preschool students.
Designed for a children's sermon during worship, Burrows' creativity is inspiring and quite fun!!
I've been looking for something to use for chapel - and honestly WOW Time and it's companion, Moments of Wonder, have filled a huge need.
While these often require props (aka you can't wait until the night before chapel) they provide an engaging way to talk about faith matter with the kids at the learning center.
I have a feeling I'll be using these two books more this fall. I'm hoping Burrows' creativity rubs off on me - and maybe I'll write a few of my own.
On a scale of one to five these books are a solid four. Great additions to my personal library.
Check out his website (he is a director of worship music in addition to his work as an author) here: http://mistermarkmusic.com/.
You can find more of his books and choral music here:
http://abingdonpress.com
While I often receive comp books to review for my blog, I purchased both of Burrows' books at a conference. (Just in case the FTC really cares about this detail.)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
August 1, 2012
Happy August 1st
Another month is finished. I'm still keeping up with my Project 365.
It's amazing how many pics are related to children's ministry and/ or the weather in one way or another.
I hope I can keep up with this project. I think it will be a fun way to mark this year.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
July 31, 2012
Prayer for the evening
I really like the website Sacred Spaces...
....it's an Irish site that focuses on prayer as it's form of spiritual formation.
I know I've mentioned it before (at least on Facebook).
This is the prayer for this evening, which really hit home with me in several ways.
Presence
I remind myself that, as I sit here now,
God is gazing on me with love and holding me in being.
I pause for a moment and think of this.
I love this image - I imagine God looking at me, and holding me like a mother - or father - cradles a newborn. I can picture my friends Phil and Darcy who just had their precious baby. If their love for their daughter is only a fraction of what God feels for me, it's overwhelming. Powerful. Amazing Love.
Freedom
If God were trying to tell me something, would I know?
If God were reassuring me or challenging me, would I notice?
I ask for the grace to be free of my own preoccupations
and open to what God may be saying to me.
Do I really hear what God wants me to know? Does the noise of the world crowd out any or all of the messages I need to hear? Can I shut out the noise and be open to what God wants to say to me?
Consciousness
I exist in a web of relationships - links to nature, people, God.
I trace out these links, giving thanks for the life that flows through them.
Some links are twisted or broken: I may feel regret, anger, disappointment.
I pray for the gift of acceptance and forgiveness.
I pray for friends and family members who are connected to me by a variety of links. May any broken or hurt chains be healed by God.
The Word of God
Matthew 13, 36-43
What can I learn from this passage about the existence of good and evil in my life?
Conversation
How has God's Word moved me?
Has it left me cold? Has it consoled me or moved me to act in a new way?
I imagine Jesus standing or sitting beside me, I turn and share my feelings with him.
I wonder what it would be like, to sit at Starbucks and just talk to Jesus. I know I tell my students praying to Jesus is like talking to your BFF - he wants to know everything and anything about you.
Do I really believe this? If I do, how does this image change my life - and my prayer time? Why is it easier for me to talk to a person rather than Jesus? What lines of communication do I need to open up - or revisit?
Conclusion
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
amen
Source: http://www.sacredspace.ie/daily-praye...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
....it's an Irish site that focuses on prayer as it's form of spiritual formation.
I know I've mentioned it before (at least on Facebook).
This is the prayer for this evening, which really hit home with me in several ways.
Presence
I remind myself that, as I sit here now,
God is gazing on me with love and holding me in being.
I pause for a moment and think of this.
I love this image - I imagine God looking at me, and holding me like a mother - or father - cradles a newborn. I can picture my friends Phil and Darcy who just had their precious baby. If their love for their daughter is only a fraction of what God feels for me, it's overwhelming. Powerful. Amazing Love.
Freedom
If God were trying to tell me something, would I know?
If God were reassuring me or challenging me, would I notice?
I ask for the grace to be free of my own preoccupations
and open to what God may be saying to me.
Do I really hear what God wants me to know? Does the noise of the world crowd out any or all of the messages I need to hear? Can I shut out the noise and be open to what God wants to say to me?
Consciousness
I exist in a web of relationships - links to nature, people, God.
I trace out these links, giving thanks for the life that flows through them.
Some links are twisted or broken: I may feel regret, anger, disappointment.
I pray for the gift of acceptance and forgiveness.
I pray for friends and family members who are connected to me by a variety of links. May any broken or hurt chains be healed by God.
The Word of God
Matthew 13, 36-43
What can I learn from this passage about the existence of good and evil in my life?
Conversation
How has God's Word moved me?
Has it left me cold? Has it consoled me or moved me to act in a new way?
I imagine Jesus standing or sitting beside me, I turn and share my feelings with him.
I wonder what it would be like, to sit at Starbucks and just talk to Jesus. I know I tell my students praying to Jesus is like talking to your BFF - he wants to know everything and anything about you.
Do I really believe this? If I do, how does this image change my life - and my prayer time? Why is it easier for me to talk to a person rather than Jesus? What lines of communication do I need to open up - or revisit?
Conclusion
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
amen
Source: http://www.sacredspace.ie/daily-praye...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
July 30, 2012
You did what?
I'm still hearing from friends who wanted to see proof of my crazy VBS challenge....so.....drum roll please....
....When you work in children's ministry, you do random things.....
Like....
Color your hair orange - because they raise $1,000 for the VBS project.
And then sleep in a kool-aid mixture (with conditioner) because the dye only gives you 'red' highlights.... (for the record, that only gave me deeper orange/red highlights..... it took finding orange hair spray one town over, to show the kids true orange hair - like they expected for the closing program.)
You also agree to eat anchovies on the stage..... because the kids continue to raise more $ for the Arkansas Rice Depot..... almost $2,100 total by the final count....
...and because of a great volunteer - the anchovies are turned into a "smoothy" for dramatic effect......
(I'm not sure mixing it with other ingredients helped.......lol...)
(A re-do of the moment snapped by one of my tweens....her first pic didn't turn out, and she asked me to do it again.... not a very flattering pic lol)
But ultimately, the true winners for the week.......
were the 250 kids we helped feed for a full weekend - through the Arkansas Rice Depot's Food For Kids program.....
And the people who will benefit (mainly students) from the 1,000+ pounds of food we collected ....
And through it all, the crazy VBS challenge means.....
--Kids learned to serve other kids and
--Kids learned that adults keep their word (even when it makes them look silly).
Which makes any embarrassing pictures of me floating around cyber space with orange hair worth it.
Besides.... Orange definitely looks better than what I did last year - blue - and the kids are still talking about that, a year later.
So I guess it was worth it again.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
....When you work in children's ministry, you do random things.....
Like....
Color your hair orange - because they raise $1,000 for the VBS project.
And then sleep in a kool-aid mixture (with conditioner) because the dye only gives you 'red' highlights.... (for the record, that only gave me deeper orange/red highlights..... it took finding orange hair spray one town over, to show the kids true orange hair - like they expected for the closing program.)
You also agree to eat anchovies on the stage..... because the kids continue to raise more $ for the Arkansas Rice Depot..... almost $2,100 total by the final count....
...and because of a great volunteer - the anchovies are turned into a "smoothy" for dramatic effect......
(I'm not sure mixing it with other ingredients helped.......lol...)
(A re-do of the moment snapped by one of my tweens....her first pic didn't turn out, and she asked me to do it again.... not a very flattering pic lol)
But ultimately, the true winners for the week.......
were the 250 kids we helped feed for a full weekend - through the Arkansas Rice Depot's Food For Kids program.....
And the people who will benefit (mainly students) from the 1,000+ pounds of food we collected ....
And through it all, the crazy VBS challenge means.....
--Kids learned to serve other kids and
--Kids learned that adults keep their word (even when it makes them look silly).
Which makes any embarrassing pictures of me floating around cyber space with orange hair worth it.
Besides.... Orange definitely looks better than what I did last year - blue - and the kids are still talking about that, a year later.
So I guess it was worth it again.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
July 27, 2012
Blog Tour: The Scent of Rain (Review)
What happens if you are a "professional nose" and you lose your sense of smell?In her newest release, Kristin Billerbeck tackles that very question, as she crafts a story around Daphne Sweeten - a professional perfume creator, who loses her sense of smell on the day she is left jilted at the altar.
A loss of marriage, beloved job, a city she adores, and even her sense of smell.
Daphne is facing a lot of loss and disappointment.
She also finds herself working with Jesse (her new boss) to create household products for Gibraltar Products.
While she wants to succeed in her new job, she really wants to fix her nose and return to Paris.
In the end though, Daphne finds God (and love) in an unexpected way - and discovers a "promise of what's possible is as fresh as the scent of rain."
In The Scent of Rain, Billerbeck has created an interesting tale. I'll admit, it's a fun read, but not a light read.
I picked it up as a diversion during a busy week.I'll be honest. It took a bit of brain power to read this novel - in fact, I found myself re-reading the dialogue in order to pick up the nuances Billerbeck weaves through out the book.
It was good. More than mind candy, it's a novel that you can sink your teeth into. Think of it as a really nice appetizer - that will make you hungry for more of Billerbeck's work.
On a scale of one to five, I give it a respectful three. It's one of the first books I've read by Billerbeck (with the exception of the young adult Daisy Crispin novels). I find her humorous and creative. I think you'll find it a fun, light read - with depth. She's not my favorite author, but I'll definitely give her a second look!
More About The AuthorKristin Billerbeck is the bestselling, award-winning author of several novels, including What a Girl Wants and Perfectly Dateless.
A Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year, Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. She lives with her family in northern California. You can read more about her at: http://www.kristinbillerbeck.com/
Online Resources
Read more about it here:
Check out her website: http://kristinbillerbeck.com/
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristin-Billerbeck/62048296624
Note: As a freelance journalist, I was provided a copy of this book by BookSneeze's blogger program. This review was not influenced by a free book - just in case you (or the FTC) were worried about this detail.
July 23, 2012
Another Pinterest Experiment - JELL-O Cookies
Ah Pinterest.
I have a love, hate relationship with Pinterest. Some days, it makes me feel quite inadequate.
Other days, it gives me something to try - and complete from start to finish.
My latest experiment - JELL-O Cookies left me with mixed reviews, but we had a lot of fun making them!
Basically it's a sugar cookies with a twist - JELL-O powder mixed in as the secret ingredient. It was fun to try the different flavors - Fruit Punch, Cherry Lemonade, Lime and Cherry were the choice ingredients for this batch (Grape and Orange were waiting in the wings, but will have to wait for round two.)
The remaining ingredients are simple.
Start with 1 cup of sugar and 1-1/2 cups (3 sticks) of softened, salted butter.
Cream the butter and sugar together until smooth. (My grandma could do this step perfectly - I suspect she had more patience than her granddaughter.)
Then add the egg and vanilla. (I love pure vanilla!)
Another grandma tried and true thing - always crack the egg in a separate container. (I suspect it was because we grew up using farm-fresh eggs, but it also helps keep shell pieces out of your final product.)
Mix your flour and baking powder into a bowl. (Grandma would often sift the mixture for extra fluffiness.)
Add the flour mixture slowly - so it blends in well.
Divide the dough into four equal balls.
Add the desired JELL-O flavor to your dough. (FYI - It takes 2 Tbsp., per part, or 8 Tbsp. of JELL-O total. You could make all of the cookies the same flavor - just buy at least two to three boxes of your desired JELL-O.)
Mix until blended. Your hands will get stained, and you'll smell like JELL-O during this step, but at least it's fun!
Make your cookie balls, and roll in the left over JELL-O powder (this was the fruit punch JELL-O).
Put on the cookie sheet - at least two inches apart (these were still being moved around, for the picture). Press down with either a bowl - or in my case, I still have the juice glass that grandma used to press cookies (I love the design that bakes in!)
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees. I tend to bake closer to the 8 minutes, so they are chewy cookies. - FYI, we learned that baking stones and cookie sheets bake differently, so choose wisely!
Put on a baking rack to cool. The recipe said makes approx.two dozen cookies. My cookie scoop must be smaller than the suggested size, because it made at least three and a half dozen cookies. At least they were uniform!
Will I make them again - probably. I'm already thinking of another cookie recipe - Cake Mix Cookies - and wondering if I can use a white cake mix, and add in JELL-O for flavor and coloring.
Other than the cherry cookies, the coloring wasn't as vibrant as I expected it to be. I suspect this is why the original recipe suggested adding food coloring to "ramp" up the colors.
Cherry is a strong flavor. Fruit punch was a bit bland. But Lime and Cherry Lemonade was good!
The youth I made them for seemed to like them - so all in all, it's a three out of five recipe!
Enjoy!
The Full Recipe!
JELL-O Cookies
Approx. 2 dozen, Prep: 20 mins, Cook: 10 mins, Ready In: 30 mins
Ingredients
3-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 cups salted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
4 (3 oz) pkg. JELL-O You can use any flavors you want
Instructions
Beat butter in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla.
Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
Divide dough into four sections. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp of JELL-O onto each section. Knead together with dough. You may want to add a few drops of food coloring to make the dough more vibrant.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in the extra JELL-O from the packets. Place, two inches apart, on baking sheets. Flatten with bottom of bowl.
Bake 8 to 10 min at 350 on lined baking sheets. Cool on baking sheets 2 min. Remove to wire racks and cool completely.
Source: The Pin & The Original Blog
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