My story in recipes: Strawberry Swirl Cookies

I love to have my kids help me in the kitchen. Courtney is always willing to help (especially if it means homework procrastination.) but it takes a little more encouragement to get Ryan to cook with me.

The trick to getting kids interested in cooking is in the recipe.
1. It has to be an easy recipe that won't take so long to make that kids lose interest.
2. It has to be a something that kids would want to eat - as visually appealing as it is delicious.
3. It has to be a recipe that is very "hands on" - literally.

The truth is, finding good recipes to make with kids can be a challenge. Never fear - I'm got a great one for you.

These strawberry swirl cookies are a perfect treat to make with your kids. It's almost like they are playing with edible play dough.

Having the kids in the kitchen definitely means that the kitchen will be messier, the recipe will take longer to prepare and it probably won't look as pretty as if I had made it by myself, BUT, it also means that there will be more laughs, more science and math lessons and valuable skills learned.

Strawberry Swirl Cookies

1box white cake mix
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 egg

Red Dough:

1 /2 small box strawberry jello
1/2 Tbsp water

red food coloring jell

White Dough:
1/2 Tbsp water
1/4 tsp almond extract.

In a mixing bowl, or your stand mixer beat together the cake mix, melted butter and eggs.

Divide the dough in half.

Add the jello, water and food coloring to one half of the dough.

To the other half of the dough add the water, and almond extract.

Roll each dough into small balls.

Roll a white dough ball and a red dough ball together to make a marble like cookie.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes on a silpat lined cookie sheet.

The cookies will start to crack when they are done. Remove from the oven and let them continue to cook for about 2 minutes on the hot sheet.

Remove from the pan and finish cooling on wire rack.

Not a fan of strawberry? Swap the strawberry jello out for another flavor. It would be really fun to make them using different colors to create a kaleidoscope of cookies.