“Thankful” Pumpkin Bars with Alpha-Bits Cereal

November 7th, 2013

This post is part of a campaign with Mom It Forward Blogger Network and Alpha-Bits, but all my opinions are my own.

It’s November – the month of thankfulness. And couldn’t we all benefit from another helping of thankfulness?  We’ve been talking a lot about gratitude around here, and trying to be even more intentional with our kids during this season. But I have to admit, if I’m not having a grateful heart, it instantly rubs off on my boys.

All the more motivating to practice gratefulness in front of my kids. 

We know that action is the best reinforcement, so instead of just talking about things we are grateful for, we put it into a fun cooking and decorating activity.

We made these yummy pumpkin bars together (see recipe below), and they took turns adding ingredients and cracking eggs.  {We also used baking as an opportunity to apply fractions and measurement math skills.}

While the bars baked and cooled, they told me what to write down on their “Things We Are Thankful For” list, and then they practiced reading the list. I love real-life learning.

Next I had them sort through Alpha-Bits cereal, to spell their thankful words. Playing with your food is encouraged for this activity

I let them snack on the leftover cereal while I iced the Pumpkin Bars. {Alpha-Bits are a guilt-free delicious breakfast/snack for children. With 20g of whole grains and 12 essential vitamins and nutrients per 30g serving.}

Then they got to decorate their bars with the Alpha-Bits cereal letters and gummy pumpkins. 

Thankfulness. Family. Pumpkin. Fun with Learning.

“Thankful Pumpkin Bars” 

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
  
• 1 c of melted butter
• 1 2/3 c of sugar
• 1 can (15 oz) of pumpkin puree
• 2 c of flour
• 2 t of baking soda
• 1 t of baking powder
• 1 t salt
• 2 t of cinnamon
• 6 oz of cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 c of butter (softened) 
• 1 t of vanilla
• 2 c powdered sugar (sifted)
• candy pumpkins
• Alpha-Bits Cereal

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat the eggs, butter, sugar, and pumpkin in a medium bowl until well-blended and light.

3. Sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon) into a large bowl.

4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until completely combined.

5. Spread evenly into a ungreased jelly roll pan, and bake for 25-30 minuts.

6. Cool completely.

7. Make icing by creaming the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, until the mixture is smooth.

8. Spread evenly over the cooled bars.

9. Decorate with Alpha-Bits cereal and candy pumpkins.