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Cooking has lots of benefits for your kids. For one, it can help picky eaters to try different foods and explore new tastes. It can also help boost their confidence because they learn new things like reading a recipe or counting how many ingredients are needed. On top of that, cooking can be one of the best bonding activities you can do with your child.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get your aprons and start cooking! Here are 10 no-bake treats you can make as a culinary bonding activity with your kids. You can even use these mouth-watering recipe ideas as a fun business initiative with your little ones, or as unique holiday gifts.
Banoffee Pie Ice Cream
Of course, ice cream recipes will always top the list of the best desserts. It is a cool and yummy way to treat yourself and your child, so enjoy making this delectable dessert.
Prep Time: 6-10 minutes
Good for: 2-3 persons
Ingredients
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1 can (14 ounces) condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 mashed bananas
- ½ cup crumbled digestive biscuits
- ½ cup toffee sauce
Instructions:
For 4 minutes, whip the cream using a mixer. Once the cream is soft, add the condensed milk and vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients until they form a stiff peak. Then add the mashed bananas, digestive biscuits, and toffee sauce. Place the mix into a container and freeze for 6 hours.
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Cheddar Bacon Ranch Tortilla Pinwheels
Pinwheels are an exciting twist to your usual sandwich. Truly, this can make your child’s school merienda or late afternoon snacks at home interesting.
Prep Time: 6-10 minutes
Good for: 5-10 persons
Ingredients:
- 2 packages of cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup chopped bacon (cooked)
- 1 bottle ranch dressing
- ½ teaspoon chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 pack of flour tortillas
Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, ranch dressing, parsley, and pepper. Spread the mixture evenly on each flour tortilla, then roll. Wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for two hours. To serve, cut off the ends and cut the roll into slices.
Mango Icebox
Here is one dessert recipe that you also probably enjoyed as a child. This icebox recipe is made even better with the all-time Pinoy favorite fruit: mango!
Prep Time: 8-10 minutes
Good for: 3-4 persons
Ingredients:
- 1 pack graham crackers
- 1 can (14 ounces) condensed milk
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 2 cups thin strips of sliced ripe mangoes
Instructions:
Mix the condensed milk with whipped cream. Spread the mixture into a rectangular baking pan. Next, place a layer of graham crackers on top of the spread. Cover the top of the crackers with another layer of the mixture, and top it with a layer of sliced mangoes. Repeat the procedure until the pan is full, then refrigerate for 4 hours.
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Cucumber Mango Nori Wraps
Nori, a salty and yummy Japanese ingredient, is the star of this merienda. You can also consider this as one of the healthy ways to treat yourself with its vegetable ingredients.
Prep Time: 6 - 10 minutes
Good for: 5-10 persons
Ingredients:
- 5 Nori sheets
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 cup thinly-sliced cucumber strips
- 1 cup thinly-sliced mango strips
- 1 cup thinly-sliced avocado strips
- 2 tablespoons tamari (Japanese soy sauce) or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons calamansi juice
Instructions:
Place the nori sheet on a flat surface. Then, put two strips of mango, cucumber, avocado, and two tablespoons of rice on top of the sheet. Roll it into a cone. Repeat the steps for the other nori sheets. Mix the soy sauce and calamansi juice for your dipping sauce.
Cookie Dough Bars
Add a colorful touch to the usual cookie dough bar recipe. Try this dessert that is easy to make, and definitely delectable to you and your kids.
Prep Time: 8-10 minutes
Good for: 4-5 persons
Ingredients:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup softened butter
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Sprinkles
- 2 cups of melted white chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Pink gel food coloring
Instructions:
Mix the brown sugar and butter. Then add chocolate chips and sprinkles to the mixture. Spread the dough firmly in a baking pan and refrigerate. Mix the melted white chocolate chips, heavy cream, and food coloring. Take out the dough and spread it on top, then refrigerate again for 1 hour.
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Sardines Sandwich
Who knew sardines can be turned into a merienda, too? Check out this mouth-watering snack.
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Good for: 4-5 person
Ingredients:
- 1 pack whole wheat bread
- 1 pack butter
- 1 can sardines in tomato sauce (You may sauté it first if you want.)
- ¾ cup sandwich spread
Instructions:
Mince the sardines. Next, get one bread slice and place the minced sardines. Then, spread butter on another bread slice. Put the bread slices together. Repeat the process for the remaining bread slices.
Sugar Wafer Pencil Cookies
This no-bake recipe for cookies is good for a school-themed party, or for your child who loves drawings.
Prep Time: 3-5 minutes
Good for: 4-5 persons
Ingredients:
- 1 pack sugar wafers
- 2 cups melted white chocolate chips
- 1 pink gel food coloring
- 1 cup small chocolate chips
Instructions:
Mix 1 cup of melted white chocolate chips with food coloring. Then place the sugar wafers on a flat surface. Cut the edges to form a sharp edge, like that of a pencil. Spread the pink mixture at the bottom of the wafer, then the white mixture along the sharp edge. Place one chocolate chip on the edge of the wafer. Serve in jars.
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Pizza Toast
Why order pizza when you can have fun while making one for merienda? Check out this pizza toast recipe.
Prep Time: 5-6 minutes
Good for: 5-8 persons
Ingredients:
- 1 pack whole wheat bread
- 1 pack pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1 cup ham slices (or other meat you want, like bacon or hotdogs)
Instructions:
First, toast the bread. Spread the pizza sauce in the bread toast. Add the shredded cheese on top of it. Then add your choice toppings like ham, bacon or hotdogs. You may toast it again if you want.
Banana Split Kebabs
Fruits will always be one of the simplest dessert ideas. But be careful with this fruit recipe and make sure to prepare blunt wooden skewers for you and your child.
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Good for: 5-6 persons
Ingredients:
- 12 medium-sized strawberries
- 12 pineapple slices (similar size to strawberries)
- 12 brownie chunks (similar size to strawberries)
- 12 banana pieces (similar size to strawberries)
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1 cup chopped peanuts or mixed nuts
Instructions:
In each wooden skewer, assemble 2 strawberries, 2 pineapple pieces, 2 banana pieces, and 2 brownie pieces. Alternate the ingredients for every wooden skewer. Then, sprinkle the kebabs with chopped peanuts or mixed nuts. Use whipped cream as a dip.
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Apple Donuts
Donuts can be healthy, too. This is one of the healthiest no-bake treats for children (and you!) who loves donuts.
Prep Time: 2-3 minutes
Good for: 3-4 persons
Ingredients:
- 1 cup roundly-sliced green and red apples
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup chocolate powder
- 1 cup sprinkles
- 1 cup nuts
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions:
Spread peanut butter on one side of the sliced apples. Sprinkle chocolate powder on each donut, then alternately top them with sprinkles, nuts, and chocolate chips.
There you have it! These exciting treats will not only be yummy, but it can also boost an appreciation for your kid’s creativity and fondness for cooking. Whatever recipe you try, these merienda and dessert ideas will surely guarantee an enjoyable and delectable weekend with your little ones.