9 Super-Easy Cookie Recipes for Kids to Make

Loraine, wife, mother, and grandmother shares favorite family recipes that are easy to make 'cause she doesn't like to stay in the kitchen.

Easy Cookies to Make With Kids and Grandchildren

As parents and grandparents, we are always trying to think up memory-making occasions with the kids. And what better way to do that than by making cookies? Kids like to eat cookies, but when kids make the cookies, they love eating them.

Most of the following recipes use either packaged cookie dough or a cake mix, so the kids can make them with minimal parental (or grandparental) help. But even with help, the process of making and baking cookies is fun. Find the recipe for making the cookies shown above by going to the Betty Crocker site.

At the conclusion of this article, you'll find pictures of my grandkids making cookies at my house.

1. Snickerdoodle Sandwiches

Sometimes I want to have fun, with a minimum of mess, so I use packaged sugar cookie dough to make these. They are really special snickerdoodles because two of them hold a tasty filling to make a sandwich. Find the recipe at Better Homes & Gardens.

2. Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here is another quick, easy and foolproof recipe, one which uses cake mix to make the dough. This is great when making cookies with little ones whose attention span is short or non-existent. This simple, tasty recipe can be found on the sally’sbakingaddiction site.

3. Thumbprint Cookies

You'll soon find out which jelly is the kids' favorite when they start filling the thumbprints in these cookies. Instead of rolling them in nuts, consider using crushed cereal. You'll find the recipe over at allrecipes.

4. Pretzel Buttons

Although these pretzel buttons are a great Christmas cookie, think about using pink M&M's for Valentine's Day, and appropriate colored candies for other holidays and occasions. Have the kids unwrap the candy kisses, but be sure to have plenty of them. Trust me, a bunch of kisses will never hit the pretzel. The recipe is found at Sweet Annas.

5. Cookie Pizza

The pizza crust is made using refrigerated sugar cookie dough, so it's super easy to make. The kids love adding the candy toppings. Go to Better Homes & Gardens for the recipe and then begin making memories with the little ones.

6. Dipped Pretzel Rods

When you are finished making these pretzel sticks be sure to make some hot chocolate for the kids. They love stirring their cocoa with the sticks. Go to the kitchen is my Playground to find the recipe.

7. Easy Chocolate Cookies

I, and my grandkids, love chocolate so this is a favorite. The main ingredient for making these cookies is a box of chocolate cake mix. The recipe for these easy chocolate cookies is found on the Just So Tasty site.

8. Peanut Butter and Banana Drops

I haven't made these cookies yet, but using a package of refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough to make them would seem super easy. Better Homes & Gardens has the recipe. Imagine how great the house will smell with the aroma of these in the air.

9. Rainbow Cake Mix Cookies

I add a flavoring when making these cookies because they are made using a white cake mix. Of course, they could be frosted with different flavored frosting also. Find the recipe to make these cake mix cookies at THE 36th Avenue.

Getting a Work Table Ready

The following pictures and recipe shows my grandchildren, Ella and Devin, making cookies at my house. To prepare for making cookies, we moved an end table from the living room and covered it with a dishtowel. Then we tied dish towels—I didn't have aprons for them—to keep the cookie dough off their clothes. I gathered the ingredients together and measured them for the grandkids, and then let them do the dumping and mixing. The following is their experience in pictures.

Our Cookie Recipe

This is the recipe used, but instead of chocolate chips, M&M's were used.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup soft shortening
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 16-ounce package chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Thoroughly mix the shortening, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Add the flour, soda, and salt. Stir in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips.
2. Drop by spoonsful on an ungreased cookie sheet, about two inches apart.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until light brown. Cookies should be soft.

Photo Guide

© 2012 Loraine Brummer