Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen #100: Surprise Kisses

Time for Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen

(A weekly linky to share what you and your children have created in the kitchen.)

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The linky is at the bottom.

This week we read a book called Surprise Soup by Mary Ann Rodman for our Poppins Book Nook unit. The other day, we made two "surprise" recipes for daddy. Yes, I actually did find a recipe for surprise soup, though not like the one in the book. I will be sharing that another time. Today I would like to focus on these scrumptious, irresistible cookies called Surprise Kisses that I found over at Food.com. I did have to make some adjustments as the original recipe left the dough too dry. However, these will definitely be made again soon. I think they are perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients:

1 cup softened butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup chopped pecans

Hershey's Kisses

Powdered Sugar

If needed:

2 extra Tbs softened butter

1 tsp vanilla

splash of milk

First we took 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter and softened it in the microwave for about 15 seconds on medium power. I checked after 10 seconds and it wasn't quite soft enough, so I put it back in for an additional 5 seconds.

We combined the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl and creamed together til fluffy.

We gradually added in the flour and chopped pecans. The dough was definitely too crumbly with 2 1/2 cups of flour. Next time I make these I plan on trying 2 cups of flour, or maybe even 1 3/4 cups of flour. However, I was able to improve the workability of the dough by softening 2 more Tbs of butter and adding that plus another tsp of vanilla and a couple of splashes of milk.

We then rolled the dough into balls, about 1 Tbs per cookie. Then the balls are flattened by pressing down on them with your hand. We placed a Hershey's Kiss in the middle of each and wrapped the dough around it. We then rolled them into balls again.

Here is a step-by-step illustration:

We placed them on an ungreased cookie sheet.

We continued until all the dough was gone. I think a bag of Kisses could do at least one more batch, if they don't get snitched.

We baked them for 10 minutes in a 375 degree oven. The bottoms were starting to get golden brown, but you couldn't really tell from the tops if they were done. We left them to cool.

Then we rolled them in powdered sugar.

Directions:

1- Cream together softened butter, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy. (We use an electric mixer.)

2- Gradually add in flour and chopped pecans.

3- If the dough is too dry and crumbly add in 2 extra Tbs softened butter, 1 tsp vanilla, and a couple splashes of milk.

4- Roll 1 Tbs of dough per cookie into balls.

5- Press down with hand, place Hershey's Kiss in the middle.

6- Wrap dough around Kiss and roll back into balls.

7- Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10-11 minutes.

8- Cool and then roll in powdered sugar. 

9- Enjoy! (They are best enjoyed right away as the chocolate is still soft.)

Do you have your children help you in the kitchen?  What lessons do they learn? Do you have any kid friendly recipes to share?

I'd love to see your posts, whether you have done something this week or some time in the past. Just link up below. This is a weekly linky.

I am linking up to:

Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Try a New Recipe Tuesday at Home to Four Kiddos
The Gathering Spot at Mamal Diane
Friday Food Frenzy at Close to Home
Fantastic Thursday at Five Little Chefs
Foodie Friends Friday at Robyn'sView
Family Fun Friday at Happy and Blessed Home
Find a New Recipe Friday at Almost Supermom

And here is my Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen linky