Recipes

We often make many of our own "for play" materials as well as special seasonal snacks for the children.  Many snack items are made with the help of the children. 

cranberry relish

gingerbread people

Traditional Gingerbread People

5 to 5 ½ cups flour                                                          1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. baking soda                                                            1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. salt                                                                             1 c. shortening

2 tsp. ginger                                                                       1 c. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon                                                                1 ¼ cups molasses

2 eggs beaten

Thoroughly mix flour, salt, and spices.  Set aside. Melt shortening in a large saucepan.  Add sugar, molasses, eggs and mix well.  Cool slightly, then add 4 cups of dry ingredients and mix well.  Turn mixture onto floured surface and knead in remaining dry ingredients. Place dough in plastic bag for refrigerator storage.

Remove bag of dough a few minutes prior to final prep.  Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness.  Cut out people and place on parchment paper.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet a few minutes before removing to cooling rack.

gloop

Small Gloop

Elmer’s Glue      Water                   Borax                    Disposable cups and stirrers                        Food coloring

Combine 1 tbsp. water and 1 tbsp. glue in a disposable cup.  Stir slowly for 30 seconds.  Add 2 drops of coloring and mix thoroughly.  Set aside.

Mix 1 teaspoon of borax with ¼ c. water and stir thoroughly stir. Set aside.

Mix both mixtures from above  together in a third cup.  If too slimy, add more borax solution.

Large Gloop

Mix 2 cups of glue with 2 cups of water.  Add food coloring.

Mix 1 cup of water with 6 tsp. borax.

Mix 1 and 2 together.

Store in the refrigerator to keep for playing with another day.

playdough

Cooked Playdough

2 cups flour         1 cup salt             2 cups of water (add food coloring)         1 T. cream of tartar          3 T. oil

Heat all ingredients on medium for 3 to 5 minutes. Keep stirring.  Pour out onto waxed paper and let cool. The dough may need to be kneaded.  Once children have enjoyed playing, store the dough in the refrigerator and use it again and again.

Uncooked Playdough

3 cups flour         1 ½ cups salt                        1 cup water (add food coloring)                                ¼ cup oil

Mix all ingredients and thoroughly knead to a pliable consistency.

pumpkin muffins

Pumpkin Muffins (a Red Barn tradition!) – Children love this alternative to cupcakes

1 c. brown sugar                                               1 tsp. baking soda

½ c. white sugar                                               ½ tsp. cinnamon

1 c. Whole wheat flour                                   ½ c. salad oil

¾ c. white flour                                                 ½ c. water

¼ tsp. baking powder                                     2 eggs

¾ tsp. salt                                                            1 c cooked pumpkin

½ tsp. nutmeg                                                   1 c. raisins, if desired

Mix all ingredients together until the dry ingredients are moistened. Avoid over mixing. Fill muffin tins ¾ full and bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes.