Toddler Recipes: Treats!

With a list of toddler recipes it's handy to have a few treats too. Homemade treats can be a yummy snack just perfect when you've come in and need to relax and put your feet up for a little while with your toddler on your lap.

Here we have 3 easy and yummy recipes that you can either make by yourself, or with your toddler.

Toddler Recipes: Flapjacks

Flapjacks are the simplest treat to make and, although are quite sweet, they have healthy fibre too. You can also add in a few chopped dried fruit such as raisens or apricots. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week and frozen too (so might be really handy to make a batch in one go)

100g/4oz unsalted butter
100g/4oz demerara sugar
150g/5oz porridge oats
1tbsp of golden syrup
A little butter to grease the baking tray

1. Preheat the oven to 160C/235F/Gas Mark 3
2. Grease the baking tray
3. Melt the butter gently in the pan
4. Add the sugar, syrup and oats and stir thoroughly
5. Put the mixture into the tray and press flat
6. Pop in the center of the oven for about 35 minutes or until golden brown
7. Leave to cool in the tray for about 10 minutes and then use a knife to mark out squares or rectangles
8. Leave to cool completely
9. Gently break the squares as you remove the flapjacks from the tin
10. Enjoy!

Toddler Recipes: No-sugar banana cakes

You can make these banana cakes either as banana buns (makes 12) or mini-cakes which are very handy for little fingers to hold easily. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days but are not suitable for freezing.

100g/4 oz softened butter
200g/8oz self-raising wholemeal flour
100g/4oz sultanas
2 medium sized ripe bananas
1 beaten egg
85ml/3fl oz milk
1 tbsp runny honey
.25 tsp baking powder
Bun cases

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4
2. Line your bun tray with cases (either standard size or mini cases)
3. Mash the bananas using a fork and then add the butter and cream them together
4. Add the egg, milk and honey and mix in
5. Sieve the flour and baking powder into the mixture
6. Add the sultanas
7. Gently fold the mixture with a spoon until all the ingredients are mixed in evenly
8. Spoon the mixture into the cases
9. Place in the center of the oven and bake for about 15 minutes
10. Cool on a wire rack
11. If you like, you can add a little icing to decorate with a little bit of cherry to give them a little color.

Toddler Recipes: Jam Tarts

These are great to make with your toddler - and sticky... Using cutters and spooning in jam is a job your toddler can do so it's great way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Here we've made the pastry but you could also use fresh ready made pastry from the shops. Jam tarts aren't healthy but they are great for a colorful treat now and again. To make them a little bit wholesome add into the jam some chopped fresh fruit according to the jam type.

200g/8oz plain four
100g/4oz butter, chopped
2 tbsp caster sugar
1 egg yolk, beaten
1-2 tbsp cold water
A seedless jam - strawberry, apricot, raspberry
A little butter for greasing the tart tray

To make the pastry:
1. Put the flour in the bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips to make crumbs.
2. Add the sugar and beaten egg.
3. Mix in a little water and gradually keep adding a little more water until you have a soft dough.
4. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and refrigerate for 30 mins.

To make the tarts:
1. Preheat the oven to 200C,400F, Gas Mark 6.
2. Light grease a tart tray.
3. Lightly flour a surface and rolling pin.
4. Roll out the pastry to about 1.5cm inches thick.
5. Use cutters to cut out circles of pastry (size according to your tart tray size).
6. Lightly press the circles into the tart tray.
7. Add a spoonful of jam into the center of the tart.
8. Bake for 15 minutes in the center of the oven.
9. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

There are so many toddler recipes that you and your toddler can enjoy making and eating together! Use them as snacks or for when you have friends to tea.

Try and make cooking with your toddler a weekly habit - it'll help make them be interested in new foods, new textures and they will be enjoying the social side of cooking and enjoying the rewards with you.

Enjoy!