Cookie Leaves

[30 Minutes]

Sensory experiences, especially those involving taste and smell, can be great learning opportunities right in your kitchen. This tasty baking activity also teaches your child the colors of fall.

You'll need:

• refrigerator sugar or butter cookie dough (or make your own from a recipe) • evaporated milk • food coloring (red and yellow) • water • leaf-shaped cookie cutters • plastic knife • bowls • spoons • measuring spoons • rolling pin • pastry brush • cookie sheets

What to do:

1. Help your child roll out the cookie dough to the thickness you wish.
2. Invite her to use the cookie cutters or a plastic knife to cut leaves from chilled dough.
3. Help her mix 2 Tbsp. evaporated milk and 1/2 tsp. water in small bowls. Encourage her to create the colors of fall leaves, mixing drops of food coloring in the bowls.
4. Let her brush the colored glaze on the unbaked leaf cookies.
5. Bake as directed.
6. Let cool and enjoy your snack.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What do you think will happen when you paint food colors onto the cookie dough?
• What other shapes could we make?
• With whom would you like to share your cookies?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, this activity provides experiences for developing concepts related to measurement and the five senses.