Fall pumpkin recipes for kids

September 24, 9:42 PMParenting ExaminerKaren Deerwester

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Fall is in the air and pumpkins take center stage - trips to the pumpkin patch, decorating pumpkins and yes...pumpkin recipes to make with kids!  Pumpkin recipes are fun and easy to make with kids who will enjoy the sensory extravaganza of pumpkins. 

The squishy texture invites little fingers.  The taste is sweet or hearty.  And the smell is _______?  How will your child describe it when he's cooking up these no-fail recipes?

Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe from FamilyFun.com

Combine these ingredients in a blender and pour into a tall glass.  Add whipped topping, cinnamon or sprinkles as a garnish:

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 cup milk or vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 4 ice cubes

Pumpkin Bars from PumkinNook.com

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 16 oz can pumpkin
• 1 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup cooking oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil, beating until well mixed.
3. Add dry ingredients, and mix together until smooth.
4. Spread batter into an ungreased baking pan (15x10x1)
5. Bake in oven 25-35 minutes
6. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Frosting Recipe:

• 1 3 oz package of cream cheese
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 1 tsp. vanilla

1. Beat together ingredients until fluffy
2. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, beating until smooth
3. Spread cream cheese over cooled cake

 Pumpkin Soup from MayoClinic.com

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup water
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 8 oz. can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 green onion, green top only, chopped

Heat 1/4 cup of water in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.  Add the remaining water, pumpkin, broth, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Stir in milk and cook until hot.  Don't boil.  Ladle into individual bowls and garnish with pepper and green onion tops.   Serve immediately.

May your house be filled with the color and aroma of pumpkin.  And may your children discover the pleasures of eating foods prepared by their own hands.  Happy Fall!