I Love You Cookies

[30 Minutes]

Invite your child to make some special cookies that say, "I love you."

You'll need:

• 1 small jar of strawberry jam • plastic knife (for spreading jam) • heart-shaped cookie cutters • 3/4 cup peanut butter • 1/2 cup margarine • 3 cups flour • 1/4 cup shortening • 1 tsp. vanilla • 1 egg • 1 cup sugar • 2 Tbsp. milk • measuring cup and measuring spoons • rolling pin • mixer • cookie sheet • cooling rack

What to do:

1. Help your child measure the margarine, shortening, and peanut butter into a bowl and then beat together.
2. Invite him to add the egg and beat well.
3. Then let him add sugar, flour, vanilla, and milk to the mixture.
4. Chill 2 hours.
5. Encourage your child to roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured board.
6. Let him cut out heart shapes with a cookie cutter.
7. Place the hearts on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 8 to 10 minutes (until slightly browned). Remove to a cooling rack.
9. Spread 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam on a cookie and cover with another cookie for a sandwich effect.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Tell me some of the things we used to make these cookies?
• How are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly cookies alike? How are they different?
• Would you like to make some more cookies and give them to someone for Valentine's Day? To whom would you like to give them?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity helps your child develop small muscle skills, eye/hand coordination, and pre-math skills.