Create magical winter memories with your kids through these delightful kitchen adventures! You’ll love making adorable Marshmallow Snowman Hot Chocolate, festive Candy Cane Sugar Cookies, and nutritious Snowball Energy Bites.
Get creative with a Winter Wonderland Trail Mix, colorful Frosty’s Favorite Smoothie Bowl, and comforting Apple Cinnamon Muffins. Your little ones will enjoy decorating Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Mittens, crafting Rainbow Winter Fruit Pops, and designing enchanting Snow Globe Cupcakes.
Each recipe combines fun, learning, and tasty treats, perfect for cozy winter afternoons. These kid-friendly recipes hold even more surprises and special touches to discover.
Marshmallow Snowman Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Large marshmallows
- Mini marshmallows
- Black edible marker
- Orange sprinkles or small orange candies
- Mini chocolate chips
Steps
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, cocoa powder, and sugar. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture is hot and well combined but not boiling.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Pour the hot chocolate into two mugs.
- Thread three large marshmallows onto a wooden skewer for each mug to create the snowman’s body. Place the skewer across the top of each mug.
- Use the black edible marker to draw eyes and buttons on the marshmallows. Add an orange sprinkle or small candy for the nose.
- Use mini marshmallows to create “snow” around the snowman’s base, floating on the hot chocolate.
- Add mini chocolate chips as arms by gently pressing them into the middle marshmallow of each snowman.
For best results, let the marshmallows sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before decorating – this creates a slightly firmer surface that’s easier to draw on with the edible marker.
If the hot chocolate is too hot, the snowman may melt too quickly, so allow it to cool slightly before adding the marshmallow decoration.
Candy Cane Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Red food coloring
- White sugar for rolling
Steps
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Beat eggs one at a time, then mix vanilla and peppermint extracts.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until well combined.
- Divide dough in half.
- Add red food coloring to half the dough and knead until the color is evenly distributed.
- Leave the other half white.
- Refrigerate both dough portions for 1 hour until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Take small portions from each dough color. Roll into 4-inch ropes of equal thickness.
- Place one red and one white rope, pinch ends together, and twist to create a candy cane shape.
- Place on prepared baking sheets and sprinkle with white sugar.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on wire racks.
Keep the unused dough refrigerated while working with small portions for best results.
The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
If the dough becomes too soft while shaping, return it to the refrigerator for 15 minutes before continuing.
Snowball Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup mini white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut (for rolling)
Steps
- Combine rolled oats, peanut butter, honey, mini white chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the mixture to firm up and become easier to handle.
- Remove the mixture from the refrigerator. Roll the mixture into small balls about 1 inch in diameter using your hands.
- Place the additional shredded coconut in a shallow dish.
- Roll each ball in the coconut until completely covered.
- Place the finished snowball energy bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
These energy bites can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
If the mixture is too sticky when rolling, wet your hands slightly with cold water or wear food-safe gloves.
For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter.
Winter Wonderland Trail Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups mini pretzels
- 1 cup Rice Chex cereal
- 1 cup Cheerios
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup honey roasted peanuts
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
Steps
- Combine pretzels, Rice Chex, and Cheerios in a large mixing bowl.
- Add white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and honey-roasted peanuts to the bowl. Mix gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add mini marshmallows to the mixture and stir carefully to avoid breaking the cereal pieces.
- Place powdered sugar and shredded coconut in a large zip-top plastic bag.
- Add the trail mix to the bag with powdered sugar and coconut. Seal the bag and shake gently until the mixture is lightly coated.
- Transfer the finished trail mix to an airtight container or individual serving bags.
Store the Winter Wonderland Trail Mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
If adding chocolate-covered items or additional sweets, keep the mix in a cool place to prevent melting, and consider storing it in the refrigerator during warmer days.
Frosty’s Favorite Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Mini marshmallows
- Shredded coconut
- White chocolate chips
- Blue food coloring (optional)
Steps
- Place frozen bananas, berries, yogurt, milk, and honey in a blender. If using food coloring, add 2-3 drops. Blend until smooth and thick, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the smoothie mixture into a bowl. The consistency should be thick enough to eat with a spoon. If it is too thick, add a splash of milk and blend again.
- Arrange marshmallows in a circle near the top of the bowl to create Frosty’s smile.
- Use white chocolate chips to make two eyes above the marshmallow smile.
- Sprinkle shredded coconut around the edges of the bowl to create a snowy effect.
For best results, serve immediately, as the smoothie bowl will melt quickly.
Pre-freeze your serving bowl for 10 minutes before adding the smoothie mixture to help maintain the cold temperature longer.
If the mixture becomes too thin, add more frozen fruit and blend again.
Penguin-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Black food coloring
- White chocolate chips
- Orange candy melts
- Black decorating gel
Steps
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth.
- Add black food coloring until the mixture reaches the desired dark color.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in Rice Krispies cereal until well coated.
- Let cool for 2 minutes until the mixture can be handled.
- Using buttered hands, shape the mixture into penguin bodies (oval shapes) and heads (smaller rounds).
- Press pieces together while still warm to connect them.
- Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals until smooth.
- Create the penguin’s white belly area on each treat using a spoon.
- Melt orange candy melts following the same process as the white chocolate.
- Using a small spoon or piping bag, create small triangles for beaks.
- Once the white chocolate has been set, use black decorating gel to add eyes and any additional details.
- Let treats set entirely at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Work quickly when shaping the treats for best results, as the mixture becomes harder to mold as it cools.
Warm the mixture slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds if it becomes too stiff.
Store treats in an airtight container for up to 3 days, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Cozy Apple Cinnamon Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for topping)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (for topping)
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Don’t overmix.
- Fold in the diced apples gently.
- Mix brown sugar and additional cinnamon in a small bowl for topping.
- Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full with batter and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes clean.
Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
These muffins can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or frozen for up to 3 months.
Let them cool completely before storing them to prevent sogginess.
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Mittens
Ingredients
- Large pretzel twists (mitten-shaped)
- White chocolate chips
- Dark chocolate chips
- Red and blue candy melts
- Sprinkles (holiday colors)
- Wax paper
- Cooking spray
Steps
- Line a large baking sheet with wax paper and lightly coat with cooking spray. Sort through pretzels to find pieces that most resemble mittens.
- Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals until completely smooth.
- Dip each pretzel halfway into the melted white chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off. Place on prepared wax paper.
- Melt dark chocolate chips using the same method as the white chocolate. Drizzle thin lines across the white chocolate portion using a spoon to create a knitted pattern.
- Melt small amounts of red and blue candy melts separately. Use these to add decorative cuffs to each mitten’s “wrist” area.
- Before the chocolate sets, ultimately, sprinkle holiday-colored sprinkles on the cuff area.
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate is completely set.
Work quickly while dipping and decorating, as chocolate can set fast.
If the chocolate becomes too thick while working, reheat 10-15 seconds and stir until smooth.
Store finished pretzel mittens in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Rainbow Winter Fruit Pops
Ingredients
- Mixed frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Mandarin orange segments
- Greek yogurt
- Honey
- Popsicle molds and sticks
- Granola
- Fresh mint leaves
Steps
- Combine 1 cup of frozen berries with 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoons of honey in a blender. Blend until smooth and set aside.
- Mix 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt with 2 tablespoons of honey in a separate bowl until well combined.
- Layer the popsicle molds, starting with the berry mixture, followed by a layer of honey-yogurt mixture, and then add 2-3 mandarin orange segments.
- Sprinkle a small amount of granola between layers for added crunch.
- Insert popsicle sticks and freeze for 6 hours or overnight until completely solid.
- Run the molds under warm water for 30 seconds to remove pops and gently pull the sticks.
For best results, ensure all fruit is completely thawed and patted dry before adding to the molds to prevent ice crystals from forming.
The granola should be added sparingly to maintain the pop’s structure when frozen.
These pops can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 weeks when wrapped individually in plastic wrap.
Snow Globe Cupcakes
Ingredients
- Vanilla cupcakes (homemade or store-bought)
- White buttercream frosting
- Clear gelatin sheets
- Water
- Corn syrup
- White edible glitter
- Small winter-themed decorations (trees, snowmen)
- White sugar pearls
- Clear dome toppers or plastic spheres
- White fondant
Steps
- If using store-bought cupcakes, verify they’re leveled. If making from scratch, allow them to cool completely before decorating.
- Roll out white fondant and cut circles slightly larger than the cupcake tops. Place on each cupcake for a smooth white base.
- Create the gelatin dome mixture by dissolving transparent sheets in warm water according to package instructions. Add corn syrup and stir until completely clear.
- Position winter decorations (trees, snowmen) in the center of each cupcake, securing them with a small amount of frosting.
- Allow the gelatin mixture to cool slightly but remain liquid. Mix in edible glitter and sugar pearls.
- Place clear dome toppers over the decorations and carefully pour the gelatin mixture inside, filling about 3/4 full.
- Refrigerate cupcakes for 2-3 hours or until gelatin is completely set.
- Pipe additional buttercream frosting around each dome’s base to hide gaps and create a snow-like effect.
The gelatin mixture must be at the right temperature when pouring – too hot will melt the frosting, and too cool will set too quickly.
Work with one cupcake at a time when adding the gelatin mixture, and keep the remaining gelatin warm in a water bath.
If bubbles form in the dome, gently tap the sides to release them before the mixture sets.
Conclusion
You’ll never regret spending time with your little ones in the kitchen, creating these magical winter treats.
From snowman-topped cocoa that’ll warm their souls to sparkly sugar cookies that’ll make their eyes light up brighter than holiday lights, these recipes aren’t just about food – they’re about creating memories that’ll last forever.
So grab your apron, gather your young chefs, and make this winter unforgettable!
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