The daddy gift array part 1

In my head I see that programmatically.  In three languages.  Geek.

One of the benefits of Mummy and Milly day is the ability to make home made gifts for his lordship (thats not an insult incidentally, I bought him one of those title in an envelope gift packs several years back).  Unfortunately one of the downsides to having a threenager is their apparent inability to keep anything a secret as our recent make daddy an easter card craft day went.  I think that secret lasted a good ten minutes.

"Daddy, we have made you a card".
"Milly, its a secret"
"BUT I WANT TO TELL DADDY"
*sigh*

His birthday is in a couple of weeks so its thinking cap on time only with the added pressure of him not finding out in less time than it takes the glue to dry.  Of course, he's reading this so no hints on here darling.


This time last year, we made this...

The container is from John Lewis, but anything airtight would do.  Then we had great fun sticking on foam letters and sticky gems from hobbycraft.  Of course, this makes it completely impractical since you can't wash it but a good wipe out will do the trick.  Ours is still going strong a year later.

Daddys its good to share biscuits

175g plain flour 

1/2 tsp bicarb of soda

100g sugar

1 tsp unsweetened cocoa 

125g butter (or whatever fat you want to use)

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Family sized bag of m&ms 

Hide the m&m's.  This could be the most important stage of the entire process.  Then preheat the oven.  Again this is going to be for a fan oven, but I went for 160.

Sift together all the dry ingredients.  We have a set of digital scales and its great for learning numbers and the concept of greater than and less than.

Hand your child the egg and a whisk.  Depending on their age they might need a bit of help with cracking it, and you on stand by to fish out all the bits of shell.  Let them get on with whisking whilst you cream together the butter and sugar.  Pour in the egg and vanilla, and mix.  It is not ok to lick the spoon at this stage.

Beat the dry ingredients in to the wet a little at a time.  If you find its too runny add a little more flour.  You dont want something in between a frijj shake and playdoh.  It is not ok to lick the spoon at this stage.

Discuss what makes something a half and roughly divide the mix in to two bowls.  Add the cocoa powder in to one and mix through.  It is not ok to lick the spoon at this stage.

Spoon a little of the mixture on to a baking sheet.  These things expand more than you expect so leave some room if you're in charge or accept that you're going to have a giant mutated cookie explosion if you aren't.  Each bowl should make about 8 cookies.  It is not ok to lick the spoon at this stage.

Squash the cookie down a little bit and introduce the m&ms.  Yes, you can eat the brown ones.  Add 4 or 5 sweets in to each cookie and press down firmly.  For younger children its nice to have them count everything out.

Bake for about 15 minutes. 

It is now ok to lick the spoon.

And not a square bracket to be seen.  Geek out.