“LEARN, TOUCH and TASTE” are the three key steps I strongly recommend parents to follow if they want to get their kids to love food. Of the three, “TOUCH” is considered the most challenging. With the thoughts of all the potential mess and disaster kids can create in the kitchen, most of us parents would cringe at the idea of letting their kids help out in cooking. To me, much of that can be avoided if parents know how to delegate their tasks wisely.
I understand it is not easy for many busy mums and dads to find the time to cook together with their kids. But, I am only advocating it on an occasional basis (like once a month) to strengthen bonding within the family.
My hubby and I have so much fun cooking and baking with our son (even though his mischievous acts would sometimes run riot in our kitchen). It can also sometimes stretch our patience a bit. But, good or bad, we always end up no less happy when enjoying eating together what was cooked. Just by taking part in some simple tasks in the kitchen, my son gets all excited over the food he prepared, and can’t wait to see and taste the “final product”. For more complicated processes, he will just stand aside and act as an “audience”.
This is also the best time for us to expose and educate him on many interesting subjects like chemistry (such as what makes bread dough rise or simple math like counting, adding and subtracting). You can even arouse some creativity as well. No doubt the benefits are many!
A week ago, my son and I had another great moment together in the kitchen. We baked some simple cheesy cookies. Even though it was our first “joint-venture project” in making cookie, the cookies turned out to be very soft, fluffy and full of cheesy smell. My son was so thrilled that he jumped up and down when he saw his own creation of gingerbread men coming out of the oven. He walloped quite a number of them while I was busy making a second batch.
(Did you hear what the gingerbread men say? “EAT ME! EAT ME!”)
Coming back to the cookie recipe I am featuring in this post, I was sold immediately when I chanced upon it. The ingredients and steps are very simple and straight-forward. As it is a savoury type of cookie, no sugar is required and highly recommended for those who do not have a sweet tooth. We also discovered later that by spreading a little bit of jam (strawberry or blueberry jam) on top during serving, the cookies tasted heavenly!
If you haven’t tried cooking/ baking with your kids before, make it a point to do it now. Since Chinese New Year celebration and Valentine Day are soon approaching, why not make some “cheesy hearts” to impress your friends, relatives and loved ones! I’m definitely going to make some with my son again as a gift for his grandma. Come and join us to light up the life of our loved ones with these lovely and tasty cookies!
>>>> Click on PAGE 2 for Cheesy Cookies Recipe…………….
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by very culinary, Lai Kuan. Lai Kuan said: Impress your loved ones with these lovely and tasty cookies. https://food-4tots.com/2010/01/07/cheesy-cookies/ […]
I just retweeted your post. Yummy.
Amy: Tks for retweeting this post. 😉
Interesting that you put a dash of salt and pepper into the cookies dough….
Very nice shots! 🙂
Selba: Salt is to enhance the savoury taste whereas pepper is to add a touch of spicyness to the cookies. Tks for your compliment. 😉
Yup! I was sold too! This is lovely and just perfect for kid to participate! Will get Sean to try it out! 😀
Alice: Remember to tell Sean that this recipe comes from Auntie Lai Kuan. Hahaha! Looking forward to your feedback. 😉
Wow, this sounds great to bake with your son. 🙂
Nice cookies too!
Little Inbox: This is to make him occupy during his school holidays. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone. 😉
Simply lovely…and very much love put into it, that’s why your son can’t wait to have a bite!! 🙂
Buzzingbee: After reading the gingerbread man story, anything associated with gingerbread man will be his favourite. 😉
i bn thinking to let my son help me on baking too … but as u said, i always worry about the mess later on, or suddenly get hurt or …. that y until now i haven got a right time yet … always said ” waiting for the right “age” …. btw, ur boy join u for baking and cooking by the age of … ?????
Love the cookies u bake here ….:P
May i know how long the cookies ( any homemade cookies) can keep ?? best before ??? i been thinking to bake some for CNY too .
Anggie: He started helping me in the kitchen around 3.5 yrs old. He can do simple tasks like sprinkle some cheese/ pizza toppings, mash the potatoes, line the muffin cups etc. You can try it to by assigning your son to do a small part of the cooking/ baking. It will give him a chance to understand and witness the food preparation process. I think you can keep the cookies for 1 week at the room temperature. Or else, just put inside the fridge. For these savoury cookies, it will taste better if you reheat it during serving. Switch on your toaster oven for 5 mins, then off the power and warm the cookies for 2 minutes. Happy trying! 😉
defintely a must bake for this Chinese new Year…. so pretty! 😉 you sending a jar of this to me to indulge this CNY?
BBO: Glad that you like my cookies. I’ll be in KL during CNY. Want personal delivery? LOL!
Oh those cookies are so cute! I like the gingerbread man =D
Noobcook: Oh yeah, it’s my son’s favourite too! 😉
oh i like that this is a savoury cookie! and the gingerbread man ones look so cute!
definitely would be a hit for CNY 🙂
Lingzie: Tks. I like your gingerbread men too. Can send some for me during CNY? 😉
loved the cookies so much 🙂
Anshika: Tks for dropping by and your kind comment. 😉
Wow, gorgeous cookies!
Not only can you teach your son to bake, but also open a bakery shop with nifty decorations.
Love them very much.
Christine@Christine’s Recipes: Wow! You’re so kind with words. I’m so flattered! 😉
Hey!! I love savory cookies, too!! I’ve had a few recipes for savory ones that haven’t been tried yet. Some with dried chili … Some with black pepper … Some with dried shrimps … Sounds so yummy already!!
Thanks for inspiring me! I’m so going to venture into savory cookies this CNY!! And I’ve got to agree with you, such activity does help bond parents and children together better. You know what, Western cultures like those in the States in fact are very open about this! =)
Pei-Lin: Hey, you’re making me drooling by mentioning so many types of savoury cookies I love. But, I can only KIV them in future because my son can’t take spicy food. Sometimes, it’s great to incorporate some good values of Western cultures into our Asian society -> “East meets West” parenting approach! LOL!
You Fei: Tks for your compliment. It’s definitely a great recipe to both my son and myself because it’s so simple to make.
they look great! I would truly understand why your son could wallop so much of it 🙂 The heart shape makes them look so sweet and yet they’re savory cookies made from cheese. it’s really well presented! You keep making my to-do-list longer! thanks for sharing this recipe, yea 🙂
Tracie Moo: Your guess is only partially correct. Yes, cheese is his favourite. But he loves gingerbread man more than the heart shape. Tks for your sweet words! 😉
Since CNY and Valentine’s day fall on the same day, it is such a great idea to make heart shape cookies, kill two birds in one stone ya. Oh man, baking frenzy has to begin soon… I am not prepare yet! *faint*
LCOM: I’m sure you can manage well with your current baking experience. 😉
These would be great with a pinch of cayenne pepper and maybe a little bit of dry mustard. These two ingredients enhance the cheddar flavor. Definitely will try to make these in place this weekend. Great photos, btw.
BellaC: Tks for your compliment and great idea. Will try it out in my next attempt. 😉
I have been cooking with my children (age 4 and 2) since they were able to hold a spoon in their tiny hands. Yes, at first, I minded the mess but I have to say that now, I just live with it because it’s such an incredible experience to make little ones taste new flavors, touch new texture and eat their own baked goods. I’ll definitively try your cheesy gingerbread men because I like savory better than sweets! Thanks again for the post, the recipe and the wonderful pictures.
http://www.whatareyoufeedingyourkidsthesedays.com
Gaelle: Tks for dropping by and your compliment! 😉
Yeah I heard.. they were shouting ‘Eat Me! Eat Me!’.. wish I could reach to the bottle container and grab some… love savory cookies.. 🙂
Lee Mei (MCH): Ooops! Sorry, they are in our stomachs now. 😉
anything cheesy for me! the shapes are so cute!
Pigpigscorner: They are too irresistable! None is left as we had polished them in just 3 days. LOL! 😉
Cute and yummy!
Happy Tiger Year!
Dora: Tks for your early CNY wishes!
Just discovered your blog. Its beautiful ! I’m a new mum to a 4 month old, just started with his pureed apples 2 days ago 🙂
There’s still a while before i’ll be giving him other treats, but i know for sure he’ll be cooking with me. I already make sit beside me in the kitchen while i cook 🙂
Will be following you regularly now.
Kate/ Kajal: I started to wean off my son when he reached 6 month old. Your son is so lucky to have a mom like you. Tks for visiting my blog. See you again in my humble kitchen. 😉
am going to ask my sis to make this for CNY!!! 🙂
NKOTB: So nice to have a sis to make it for you. Envy! 😉
haha love the ‘gingerbread’ man! so cute.
heh bet these taste fantastic.
love anything cheesy.
thanks for sharing 🙂
Felicia: Never expect these cheesy gingerbread men are also everyone’s favourite (besides my son). LOL! 😉
It’s good that you “inculcate” parents and their kids to interact and spend more time through food! Those are “love” cookies, indeed!
Tigerfish: Tks for your compliment! 😉
I love how you decorate your cookies and take a great shot of it!
Allie: Tks a lot for your compliment. 😉
Those cookies would definitely dress up the table during CNY! Hope junior can leave a few pieces to share with aunty CK 🙂
CK: Sure! Sure! He will definitely share some with you. 😉
Those cookies look so yummy. Your presentation always beautiful 😉
Anncoo: Tks for your sweet comment. 😉
The recipes here keeps getting better by the day! Nice cookies, I wish I can bake as well as you! 😛
Myf: Tks for your words of encouragement. With your current cooking skills and experiences, you can definitely do it better than me. 😉
They look seriously addictive! Your family sounds like a warm, loving one. Good for you! 🙂
The Little Teochew: You’re too kind with words. Thru reading your posts, I also have the same feeling for your family – a warm & loving one! 😉
[…] found the recipes pretty neat, planning to make our first batch of cheese cookies for my 1 yr old. Cheesy cookies | Food-4Tots | Recipes for Toddlers __________________ Career doesn't define me. What I do in my life defines me. I am a mother […]
hello,
i have tried this recipe. i modified a bit put sprinkle some sugar on top after the egg wash and let kids decorated the cookies with some “color stars”.
This recipe is easy to make and can involve children.
As for taste, i prefer to sweetness.
Cammie: Thanks for your kind feedback. (Sorry that I had overlooked your comment.)
Hi.. can e cheese be replaced with cream cheese instead?
Jolene: Cream cheese has a different texture and flavour than cheddar cheese. Thus, it may not produce the same end result. Maybe you can read about the substitution at these two threads:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/344259
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Dictionary/C/Cheddar-Cheese-5014.aspx
Hope it helps! 😉
okie.. thanks for the info..
Jolene: You’re always welcome! 😉
I tried baking the cookies last monday..
Easy to follow recipe… I amended the recipe slightly, i omitted the pepper & used salted cheese..
Comments received, the cookies was cheesy & nice.. But salty, I think I should have used the unsalted butter & added the pepper to spice up e taste..
I tried spreading strawberry jam on the cookies, i prefered this way better than having it plain..
Jolene: Thanks a lot for your kind feedback. We love to spread some jam on these cookies too. 😉
Yummy… Juz made it! My kids (6yo & 2yo) couldn’t stop running to the kitchen for another bite even before I could even store them… It literally melts in the mouth!
Magienoire: Thanks for your kind feedback!! Glad to hear such an overwhelming demand from your children. Well done, mommy!! 😉
I just made these with my 5 year old daughter. It was very yummy! Nothing like the commercially bought ones. Very pure cheese and buttery taste ;D. Kitchen smells heavenly! My girl had fun making and eating it with 1 year old baby sister! ;D
As always, Thanks so much for sharing!
Its a joy trying each and every of the recipes from your lovely site.
Grace: Homemade is always the best!! It’s my pleasure to share. So glad that your kids had loads of fun with this baking project. Thanks for your kind support! 😉
what’s the exact measurement of your ingredients in cups?
Other links are :
1) http://allrecipes.co.uk/how-to/44/cooking-conversions.aspx.
2) http://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/cooking/
i’m confused with the measurements that you put in here.. and it i’ll be grateful if you gave me ingredients by cups and not grams? coz i dnt have a scale to weigh it.tnx
Aj: You can use online conversion to convert the measurements to cups. Here is the link: http://www.onlineconversion.com/weight_volume_cooking.htm. Hope it helps!
Can someone pls tell me why my dough is so soft… it’s so difficult to cut into shapes. I can’t even roll with a rolling pin…
Bernie: It is a common scenario if you’re doing it during a hot day. You can simply wrap the dough with clip wrap and chill in the fridge for 1/2 to an hour to firm it up. 🙂
Hi there
Thanks for this great recipe.. may i know the shelf life for this cheese cookie?
Cheers 🙂
Janice: Thank you for your kind feedback. Best to be eaten within 2-3 days under room temperature, and 1 week in the fridge. 🙂