Cooking and baking with children helps them learn and practice key concepts and develop new skills! While this recipe is rather complex for the very young, it provides plenty of learning opportunities for all ages: 

• Following directions and ordering of events (first, second, third, and so on)
• Mathematical and spatial concepts (e.g. counting, fractions, volume)
• Shape recognition (rectangles) 
• New vocabulary with baking tools and processes
• Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination (e.g. sprinkling flour, stirring, spreading, etc.)

Pumpkin Twists Recipe

Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 20 mins

 INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 package frozen puff pastry sheets
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

EQUIPMENT

• Cookie sheet
• Parchment paper
• Two mixing bowls
• Hand mixer
• Measuring cups/spoons
• Pizza cutter 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Preheat the oven to 375° and line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. Unfold puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface.
4. Cut it into eight (8) rectangles.
5. Spread the pumpkin mixture onto four (4) of the rectangles.
6. Take the empty pastry strips and place them over the previous four. Press edges.
7. Brush melted butter on top of rectangles and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.
8. Using a pizza cutter, cut into strips.
9. Twist each strip two (2) or three (3) times.
10. Transfer each strip to a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

To make cream cheese glaze:

1. In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
2. Drizzle each pumpkin twist with cream cheese glaze and serve.

Source: Yummiest Food

Christina B.

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