Linda Vandermeer - Sweets on a Stick: More Than 150 Kid-Friendly Recipes for Cakes, Candies, Cookies, and Pies on the Go!

Sweets

on a

Stick

More Than

Kid-Friendly

Recipes for Cakes, Candies, Cookies, and Pies
on the Go!

Linda Vandermeer

Dedication

For my family, Craig, Lilli, Sophie, and Robert, who inspire and support every sweet thing I do.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Andrea, my editor, who pulled this book together from start to finish under extremely tight deadlines, and the rest of the team at Adams Media for their contributions and support.

My thanks go to all of these people as well:

Terri Vandermeer, whose photography captured the fun and spirit of the treats I created.

My husband, Craig, who took the kids to the park every weekend so I could rewrite and test recipes.

My amazing mum and dad for making me who am I.

Sue S, for peeking into her pantry for me.

Lorainne @ Not Quite Nigella, for my first-ever blog comment, which kept me going at the start.

Naomi V, Elizabeth M, Missus T, and Caroline S who do what they love with a passion, which inspired me to do the same.

And my blog and Facebook followers, who constantly make me want to create that next, even more exciting treat to share.

Introduction

Why are we so fascinated with food on sticks? What is it about popping food on a stick that makes it so much cuter?

Put a treat on a stick and all of a sudden it POPS! Its as if those sticks are magic wands whisking away the everyday and replacing it with fabulous and fun yumminess fit for a celebration.

There will be no more telling the kids not to play with their food with these super-delicious sweets on a stick. From creepy ghouls to fairy bites, not only will your kids love spending time in the kitchen baking these creations; theyll also love playing with the fabulous results.

Flying butterfly wands fluttering from flower to flower, crazy cake pop cars zooming around, or invading aliens visiting from Marsthe possibilities are there for endless imaginative play and creative development.

So many of the recipes in this book make the perfect activity for a play date or party. Invite kids of all ages to make, bake, and decoratethen sit back and watch as they laugh and play with the unique results. Its just plain fun for everyone involved, even though there might be a little extra cleaning up afterward with kids in the kitchen!

From tots to teens, there are techniques included to suit every age and skill level. Younger kids will delight in sifting, mixing, adding ingredients, and trying out some of the simple decorating ideas, while the more advanced crowd will be able to whip up whole projects.

Getting kids involved in the kitchen doesnt just teach them to cook, it helps their development in so many other ways. They have to follow directions while reading a recipe, count items to be included, and watch what happens when ingredients mix together. They learn how to do things in the correct order and find there are possible consequences if they dont. Older kids will learn about the chemistry involved in mixing the different ingredients and how they react to each other. There are countless opportunities to expand childrens minds when working through the methods found in this book.

Also, when kids are part of the process of creating new foods they are more likely to try out the resultsalthough with all of the delicious recipes in this book it wont be hard to find something that you will all love. From fruity to chocolate, crunchy to smooth, there are dozens of tasty bites to tempt your taste buds.

With these fun, easy, and fabulous recipes for treats on a stick in this book, you and your children will be chatting and interacting over the mixing bowl in no time. Together you will not just be making sweets on a stick to eat, you will also be making memories that will last a lifetime.

CHAPTER 1

Equipment and Ingredients

This book is about having fun baking with your family and not about buying stacks of stuff you might never use again or spending time online searching for special ingredients. Most of the recipes in this book do not call for equipment or ingredients that are hard to find. Where a recipe has specialty equipment listed, there is generally a tip on how to work around it using items that are easy to find in your home or in grocery or craft stores.

Equipment

Lollipop Sticks

If you want to put your treats on a stick, you need good-quality lollipop sticks. Be sure to use lollipop sticks that are paper based and baking safe. You can find them in a variety of sizes, but unless the recipe calls for a specific size, plan on using 6" sticks for all of your pops. Lollipop sticks also come in a variety of thicknesses. In most instances, and unless the recipe specifies otherwise, the thickness does not matter. You can find lollipop sticks at specialty cake- and chocolate-making stores, craft stores, and many online stores including Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.

Cake Pop Stand

A number of manufacturers now make cake pop stands, which are reusable plastic or acrylic trays with premade holes that will hold your cake pops and other treats both while you decorate them and through the setting process. They are available from specialty cake stores, eBay, and online stores.

Cookie Cutters

Cookie cutters of all shapes and sizes are handy when it comes to making cookie pops. You can find them relatively low-priced at kitchen supply shops or even discount stores. Some wholesale companies even sell the same cutter shape in different sizes. Try checking out discount racks after the holidays to find shapes you wouldnt normally find during the year. Cutters come in metal or plastic, and both have their advantages. Metal cutters are sturdier and have sharper edges, while plastic cutters are generally less expensive and easier to keep clean. Some cutters come with a rubber handgrip or handle attached, which can make it easier for small children to use. Unless the cutter you buy states otherwise, do not put cookie cutters in the dishwasher. Many of the recipes in this book use a 3" round cutter, but if you dont have one you can use the top of a clean plastic cup in a pinch.

Wooden Skewers

Some of the recipes call for wooden skewers instead of lollipop sticks. Wooden skewers are easier to use for recipes like Rainbow Fruit Kabobs because paper lollipop sticks might get too soggy. Make sure your wooden skewers are foodsafe. If you buy them from a craft section of a store rather than the food section, they may be treated with harmful chemicals. No matter where you get them, it is always a good idea to cut the pointed ends off the skewers when young kids will be having the treats. Be sure to supervise your children at all times while they are handling the skewers.

Pastry Pedestals

While not necessary for most of the recipes in this book, this neat gadget allows you to pop nearly any sweet treat onto a stick. The Pastry Pedestal is a stick with a mini round plate at the top. You can adjust the round plate up and down to leave a small portion of the stick poking up to which you secure your treat. The treat then rests on the small round plate. Its great for holding treats that need a bit more support. Check out the suppliers and mail order sources section to find out where to buy a Pastry Pedestal.

Paper Baking Cups

Foodsafe paper baking cups come in large, medium, and small sizes and a wide range of colors, including special holiday patterns. Generally this book calls for the mini or small sizes. When picking patterned cups, remember that the cake batter will darken most light colors. You can purchase baking cups at local supermarkets, craft stores, and online.