The Kids Cook Monday-Chocolate Coconut Rice Pudding

I have to be honest, rice pudding has never been my favorite dessert. I don’t know why, but I have never really enjoyed the texture and I gave up making it quite some time ago.

Well, recently I began noticing recipes calling for arborio rice; you know “risotto” rice. It breaks down beautifully when slowly cooked, so I knew this would make a better rice pudding than I had previously made. I decided the new rice pudding recipe would be perfect to make with my kids.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

If there is one thing I love about October, it would have to be the pumpkins.

Pumpkin is the perfect ingredient in gluten-free baked goods, as it adds plenty of moisture and flavor; so your end product has the texture and the taste you desire!

Here is a kid-friendly muffin, perfect for a quick snack or lunchbox treat.They also happen to be egg-free and dairy free, but they definitely don’t lack flavor!

Fall Favorites : Apple Recipes

Changing leaves, crisp cool air, and apples are on the trees: it must be fall.

In honor of autumn (and my complete infatuation with all things apple), I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite apple recipes.

I recently read that the average apple at the grocery store is 10 months old, not exactly appetizing. So, grab the apples while they are fresh from the orchard and take the time to whip up some tasty apple treats

Blueberry Sauce

We are still enjoying fresh, local blueberries here in Oregon, so I decided to whip up some blueberry sauce for breakfast. You can literally make this sauce in a couple of minutes, which makes it perfect for breakfast (or an impromptu dessert topping). If you have a kid that enjoys cooking, this is one of those super easy, yet super delicious, recipes they would probably enjoy making themselves.

Butter Pie Crust

Out of all the desserts I make, I must admit, pie is my favorite.

There is something extremely comforting about perfectly ripened, slightly sweetened fruit, encased between layers or flaky, buttery crust. Or a smooth, velvety pudding topped with whipped cream or meringue. Let’s face it, pie is perhaps the perfect dessert.

Rhubarb Cake

A couple years ago I bought a share through a local Community Supported Agriculture farm, and after seeing my share of rhubarb week after week, my family was not laughing. I know rhubarb is up there with zucchini for gardening jokes, and isn’t always a welcome addition to the family menu.

I realize it a forgotten vegetable in modern cookbooks, but if you look back through our grandparents recipes, or Amish cookbooks, rhubarb recipes are plenty. It’s got quite a few practical uses, from preserves to pies; however, my favorite way to use up rhubarb is cake.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

Let’s face it, cream cheese frosting is simply amazing. What simple frosting can turn an ordinary carrot cake, or just about any cake for that matter, into something divine? Well, what if you add some fresh fruit the the cream cheese frosting ingredients? You get a really nice twist on the original. Rich, decadent, and simply bursting with flavor, this Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting is something any berry lover should try. And it’s a pretty pink hue without any food coloring!

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

I decided to give a from scratch strawberry cake a try, thinking it would be easy to find a recipe and just convert it to gluten-free. Boy was I wrong. Apparently, just about everyone makes a strawberry cake the same way: a cake mix and a box of strawberry gelatin. So, I was left with few options, and decided to just come up with something and hope for the best.

Strawberry Cake

The Strawberry Cake recipe I am posting today is based on a recipe from the Cake Mix Doctor. Although I have mixed feelings about her books, particularly the gluten-free edition, my family thinks this cake is a winner!

It is moist and flavorful and just happens to be a beautiful color of pink; which I think would be perfect for a girl’s birthday party or a baby shower. The picture below doesn’t really do it justice, it is quite lovely in person.

The Kids Cook-Chocolate Cupcakes

My oldest daughter had an event to attend, and due to her multiple food allergies I knew we had to prepare “cake” ourselves. I decided cupcakes were the best choice, they are easy to make, eat, and transport. And who doesn’t love a good chocolate cupcake?