Spritz cookies

Homemade Cookies for Kids – a Perfect Treat for Playtime and School

Do you want to give your children a healthy and delicious snack they can take with them to play or school? Then our homemade cookie recipe is exactly what you were looking for! These cookies are easy to make, store well, and can be customized to your liking. Plus, it's a fun activity you can do together with your kids, turning cooking into a moment of fun and creativity.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 40 cookies

Necessary ingredients:
- 4 fresh eggs
- 300 g sugar
- 3 tablespoons oil (preferably sunflower or olive)
- 3 tablespoons sour cream (well thickened)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda or baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- Grated lemon zest or vanilla essence (for an aromatic flavor)
- 1 kg flour
- 300 g margarine or 280 g butter
- Oil for greasing the tray

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. This detail is essential for achieving a homogeneous mixture and a perfect final result.

2. Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 180°C, so it’s ready when you finish preparing the dough.

3. Mix the eggs and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar using a mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes frothy and light in color. This step is crucial for ensuring an airy texture for the cookies.

4. Add the wet ingredients: Incorporate the oil and sour cream, mixing well. Here you can also add the lemon zest or vanilla essence to enhance the flavor of the cookies.

5. Incorporate the dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift the flour together with the baking soda and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the bowl with eggs, mixing with a spatula or with the mixer on low speed. It’s important not to overmix, to avoid developing the gluten in the flour and to achieve fluffy cookies.

6. Add the margarine: If you’re using margarine, make sure it’s soft. I recommend leaving it at room temperature before adding it. Add it to the dough and mix well until the mixture becomes homogeneous. If you wish, you can halve the mixture and add cocoa to one half for chocolate-flavored cookies.

7. Shape the cookies: Use a cookie press or cookie cutters to get the desired shapes. If you don’t have such accessories, you can shape the cookies by hand and flatten them on a baking tray.

8. Prepare the tray: Grease the trays with a little oil to prevent the cookies from sticking. Arrange the cookies on the tray, leaving enough space between them, as they will expand during baking.

9. Bake the cookies: Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden at the edges. Watch them closely, as each oven bakes differently.

10. Cool and store: Once the cookies are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a rack. Use a knife to carefully detach them from the tray. Once cooled, you can store them in a metal box to keep them fresh.

Useful tips:
- If you want a healthier version, you can replace part of the sugar with honey or natural sweeteners.
- For a more intense flavor, you can also add nuts or dried fruits to the cookie dough.
- These cookies are ideal to be paired with a warm tea or a glass of milk, making a perfect snack for both kids and adults.

Calories and nutritional benefits:
These cookies contain carbohydrates from the flour, proteins from the eggs, and healthy fats from the margarine or oil. Depending on the ingredients used, a serving of cookies can have about 100-150 calories. They are a good source of energy, ideal for kids' active days.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can replace part of the white flour with whole wheat flour to add more fiber to the cookies.

2. How can I customize the cookies?
You can add cocoa, nuts, raisins, or even spices like cinnamon to achieve different flavors.

3. How long do the cookies last?
The cookies store well in a metal box for 1-2 weeks, if they are not eaten before then!

These cookies are not just a delicious snack, but also an excellent way to spend quality time together with your little ones. So, let’s put on our aprons and enjoy the magic of cooking at home! With every bite of these cookies, you will feel the love and warmth you put into making them. Enjoy your meal!