Making cookies allows children to learn how to measure ingredients and follow directions. These no-bake cookies recipes are a great activity for parents (or teachers) and young children, older-younger sibling pairs, and even preteens by themselves. Mix up one or several recipes to serve at a party or to give as gifts.
Recommended Reading: Get started with baking by reading our Ultimate Guide to the Best Baking Equipment for Beginners!
No Bake Vanilla Orange Cookies
The ingredients needed are:
- ½ cup of butter or margarine softened on the counter for 30 minutes
- 11-12 oz box of vanilla wafers
- 1 pound box of powdered sugar
- 1 6-oz can of defrosted orange juice concentrate (you can alternatively juice your own oranges with your best juicer)
- Chocolate sprinkles
Also: a gallon-size closable plastic bag; a rolling pin; a large mixing bowl; a large spoon; a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet
Instructions:
- Set five or six vanilla wafers in the plastic bag, press out the air, and seal the bag. Run the rolling pin over the cookies until they are crushed. Pour into the bowl. Repeat until the box of cookies has been crushed into small pieces.
- Add the butter, powdered sugar, and can of orange juice to the vanilla wafers. Mix together.
- Use hands to shape the dough into balls about the size of a golf ball. Roll in the chocolate sprinkles.
- Place on the waxed paper-lined cookie sheet and refrigerate for 30 to 40 minutes.
No Bake Chocolate Orange Cookies
The ingredients needed are:
- 10 double chocolate graham crackers
- ¼ cup butter or margarine softened on the counter for 30 minutes
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons of orange juice (not the straight can of frozen concentrate as used in the other recipe)
- Chocolate sprinkles
Also: a gallon-size closable plastic bag; a rolling pin; a large bowl; measuring cups and spoons; a large spoon; a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet
Instructions:
- Crush the graham crackers by placing them in the plastic bag, sealing the bag shut, and running the rolling pin over it until there are no large pieces. Crush a few crackers at a time.
- Mix the cracker crumbs, butter or margarine, sugar, and orange juice together. If the dough doesn’t hold together, add a teaspoon of orange juice and mix. If necessary, continue to add small amounts of orange juice and mix well. Too much liquid will make the dough too sticky to work.
- Use hands to shape the dough into small golf ball-size balls. Roll in the chocolate sprinkles.
- Refrigerate for at least half an hour.
Gift Wrapping Cookies
The quickest way to wrap these cookies is to place them in a two-cup size reusable food storage container. Decorate the outside of the container with stickers or designs drawn on the outside of the container with permanent marker. Or, just tuck a bow on the cover of the container. On the gift tag, make a note in red ink to keep the treats refrigerated for tastiness.
Creating homemade treats is a quick and inexpensive way to give holiday or thank you gifts to numerous people. Try making chocolate dough and other no-bake candies. These no-bake recipes that allow kids to help in the kitchen without worrying about oven use and are a great first step to learn making cookies.
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