Easy Recipes to Try at Home With the Kids This Easter

Nothing makes it feel like spring is finally here quite like Easter does. And what better way to celebrate than with some delicious recipes? (Easter bunny approved)…

Organix has created the perfect recipes to help celebrate Easter with all the family. Whether you’re looking for healthier alternatives to chocolate or sneaky ways to get your five-a-day in, these recipes are perfect for the whole family.

Easy Recipes to Try at Home With the Kids This Easter

Easter Chick Cupcakes

Your little ones will love decorating these, as well as the sweet flavour of the mango puree and maple syrup. Suitable for 12+ months.

Prep: 30-60 mins
Cooks in: 10-30 mins
Serves: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:
60ml mango puree (use 1 ripe mango to make this)
125g unsalted butter or coconut oil
60ml maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
150g self-raising flour (or a gluten free alternative)

Decorations and frosting:
1 400g tin coconut milk
6 tbsp mango puree
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Raisins (for eyes)
Dried apricots (for beak)
Flaked almonds for wings
Desiccated coconut for feathers

Method:

1. First make your mango puree by taking the flesh from the mango and blending to a smooth puree with a hand blender or food processor. Make sure to reserve some for the frosting. Preheat your oven to 180°C / 160°C fan / gas mark 4. Place 12 paper cupcake cases into a cupcake tin.
2. Beat the butter or coconut oil until soft with the maple syrup. Add the mango puree and vanilla extract with 1 tbsp of the flour and beat in (you can use an electric cake mixer with the paddle attachment if you have one, or do it my hand in a large bowl with a wooden spoon).
3. Add the eggs one at a time, with 1 tbsp of the flour and beat in thoroughly (the flour stops the mixture from splitting, which happens if it’s too wet). Sift the rest of the flour in gradually and fold lightly into the mixture using a metal spoon. Keep as much air as possible in the mixture, so be careful not to over mix it.
4. Once all the flour is just combined, spoon a large tbsp of mixture into each paper case, the mixture should fill the case about ¾ full. Fill all the cases then place straight into the oven. The quicker you work the more air stays in the cupcakes, and the lighter they will be. Bake for 20 minutes until golden and springy to the touch. Insert a knife to check they are cooked – it should come out clean. Leave in the tin for 10 minutes to cool a little, then move onto a wire rack to cool completely.
5. The secret to this simple frosting is keeping everything as cold as possible, so the coconut cream stays fairly thick. The cupcakes should be completely cool. The coconut cream and mango puree should be used straight from the fridge and ideally place your mixing bowl in the fridge to cool for half an hour before using too .Beat the coconut cream and mango puree together with the tsp of vanilla until smooth (use an electric whisk if you have one).
6. Spread the cooled cupcakes with mango frosting, then add two raisins for the chicks eyes. Cut the dried apricots into small triangles, then add one to the cupcake to give the chick a beak. Add two flaked almonds for wings (leave these off for younger babies). Finally, add a sprinkle of desiccated coconut for fluffy feathers.

Avocado & Chocolate Orange Easter Eggs

Using avocado skin as eggshells, these delicious chocolatey and fruity mousses make the perfect Easter egg, and are great fun to create. Suitable for 12+ months.

Prep: 10-30 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

Mousse:
2 ripe avocados
Juice and zest of 4 oranges
6 tbsp cocoa powder
1 very ripe banana puréed (or 2 tbsp maple syrup if you prefer)
1 tbsp organic raw coconut oil for extra creaminess (optional)

Decorations (all optional suggestions):
Orange zest
Seeds – sunflower, pumpkin, sesame seeds
Dried fruit – raisins, cranberries, goji berries
Fresh seasonal fruit – mango, grapes, oranges, banana, apple, pear
Desiccated and flaked coconut
Nuts – flaked almonds, pecans

Method:

1. Cut both avocados in half from top to bottom. Carefully remove the stone by gently hitting the knife into the stone, giving it a little twist – and the stone should easily come out. Scoop the soft green avocado flesh into a bowl or blender but be careful to keep the shell of the avocado intact, as this will become the natural, egg shaped bowl for the mousse.
2. Zest all the oranges and put 4 tsp. of zest to one side for decoration. Then add the rest of the zest and the remaining ingredients to the blender/bowl and blend or beat with a wooden spoon until completely smooth.
3. Test the taste of the mousse and add a little maple syrup if you feel the need, then scoop back into the avocado shells to create your chocolate orange eggs.
4. Serve the chocolate orange eggs with a range of tasty decorations at the table, for the family to decorate their own eggs however they please. Make sure your decorations are appropriate for the age of your child – so halve/slice grapes and chop any nuts etc.

Easy Easter Biscuits

Keep it simple and laid-back with these easy Easter biscuits. Children will love giving each little rabbit its own personality. Suitable for 12+ months.

Prep: 10-30 mins
Cooks in: 10-30 mins
Serves: 30 biscuits

Ingredients:

For the biscuits:
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger (or more to taste)
200g plain flour
75g cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes (or virgin coconut oil)
60ml maple syrup

To decorate:
Coconut oil, maple syrup or honey for sticking
Dried fruit such as raisins, goji berries, etc.
Seeds such as poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds etc.
Flaked almonds and flaked or desiccated coconut
Easter cookie cutters

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C fan / 160°C fan/ gas mark 4. Grease and line two baking trays.
2. Stir the baking powder and ginger into the flour, then rub the butter and maple syrup into the flour with your fingertips, or pulse on and off in a food processer to combine into a crumbly texture, that will easily press together into a dough. Add a splash of water if needed to bring it together, but not too much.
3. Pop the dough in the fridge to rest for at least 30 minutes. Once ready flour a clean work surface and gently knead the dough, just to bring it together. Roll out to a 3mm thickness and cut out shapes using an Easter cookie cutter.
4. Place onto the baking trays and bake for about 10 – 15 minutes until golden. Carefully transfer the cooked biscuits onto a wire cooling rack, and allow to cool completely before decorating.
5. To decorate use a selection of dried or fresh fruit, seeds and coconut, or leave plain if you prefer. Decorations can be stuck to the biscuits using a small amount of coconut oil, maple syrup or honey. Get little ones involved and get creative!

Recipe & image credits: Organix.

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More Kids Recipes to Try at Home

Leonora Bamford and Nanny Anita share a few easy kids recipes to try at home. Cooking with children is a great way to teach them about flavour, nutrition, and what happens when certain ingredients are mixed together. Here are a few delicious, easy kids recipes to try at home.

Butter and Vanilla Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 140g salted butter, cold and chopped into small cubes
• 280g plain flour
• 140g soft brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1 egg

Method:

• Rub the butter and flour together between your fingertips until you have a bowl of something resembling fine breadcrumbs.
• Add in the sugar and vanilla, and mix with a wooden spoon until it is just combined.
• Pop in the egg and mix with a spoon until a dough forms – it will be a fairly firm dough which is slightly sticky to the touch.
• Squeeze the roll into a sausage shape and sandwich it between two sheets of cling film.
• Roll it with a rolling pin until it is about 2cm thick and chill for 30 minutes.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough out to 1.5cm thick and using a biscuit cutter of your choice, cut out as many shapes as you can.
• Transfer the shapes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment and chill again for 20 minutes.
• In the meantime, switch your oven on and allow it to pre-heat to 170°C.
• Pop your cold baking tray directly into the hot oven for 7-10 minutes.
• Bake until the biscuits start to turn golden brown at the edges. Allow to cool before decorating.

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Tasty Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tsp of chopped ginger
• 1 litre of stock (chicken works well)
• Any seasonal vegetables such as parsnip, butternut squash, carrots

Method:

• Heat olive oil, add red onion, chopped garlic and ginger over a medium heat.
• Add a selection of chopped seasonal vegetables in 1cm cubes.
• Stir over a medium heat for 5 minutes, before adding 1 litre of any stock, making sure that it covers all the vegetables.
• Simmer for 20 minutes before blitzing with a hand blender.
• Serve with a chunk of crusty bread.

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Spring Breakfast Pops

Ingredients:

• 500g yoghurt (plain or flavoured)
• Handful granola
• Handful of berries
• Egg-shaped silicone mould
• Lollipop or cake-pop sticks

Method:

• Place a small dollop of yoghurt into each of your silicone moulds, filling each to about a third. Push chunks of granola into the yoghurt, then add a few berries to each.
• Place a lollipop stick into each mould compartment, laying it as flat as possible.
• Fill each to the top with yoghurt, making sure it covers all of the fruit and the lollipop stick.
• Freeze and eat!

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Daylesford Broadbean Dip

Ingredients:

• 250g peas
• 250g podded broad beans
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 3 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
• 2 handfuls peashoots
• 50g butter
• Sea salt and black pepper

Method:

• Have a bowl of iced water ready.
• Half-fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the peas first if fresh, and cook for about 5 minutes, adding the beans for the last 30 seconds.
• If the peas are frozen, you can put both these and the beans in together and bring back to the boil, then take off the heat after 30 seconds.
• Drain in a colander, then transfer to the bowl of iced water and leave for 5 minutes. Drain well again and slip the skins off the broad beans.
• Transfer the peas and beans to a bowl and crush with the back of a fork. Next, add the herbs and pea shoots and stir well.
• Melt the butter in a large non-stick pan. Add the crushed bean and pea mixture and heat gently, stirring regularly, until warmed through.
• Season and serve.

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Easy Tomato Chutney

Ingredients:

• 250g red onions
• 500g heritage tomatoes
• 75ml red wine vinegar
• 140g brown sugar

Method: 

• Chop up the onions and tomatoes. If you can’t find heritage, just get a nice mix of colours.
• Put the onions, tomatoes, vinegar and brown sugar in a pan and give it a good stir.
• Simmer for 30 minutes and when the consistency is right, pour into sterilised jars.
• Add chutney to cheese sandwiches or having a good old-fashioned Ploughmans for lunch.

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Sugar-free Butternut Cakes

Ingredients:

• 750g butternut squash
• 400g Medjool dates
• 250ml vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 225g flour
• 75g pecan nuts
• 300g soft cream cheese
• 125g butter
• 1 vanilla pod

Method:

• Peel and dice the squash. Cook on the hob with a splash of water.
• When soft, put the squash into a blender, add most of the pitted dates and blend until smooth. Leave the purée aside to cool.
• Whisk the eggs, adding the purée.
• While whisking, add the oil in a steady stream.
• Sift all the dry ingredients over the wet mixture and fold in carefully.
• Chop the remaining dates and 50g of pecan nuts, and fold in.
• Spoon the mix into lined moulds.
• Bake at 180°C for 12-15 minutes.

To make the icing:

• Melt the butter, leave to cool.
• Whisk the vanilla with the soft cheese and add the cooled butter.
• Pipe onto the muffins and decorate with the remaining pecans.

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Banana Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 eggs
• 2 or 3 mashed ripe bananas
• Handful of blueberries
• 1/4 cup milk of choice
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 and 3/4 cups flour of choice
• 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats, plus more for sprinkling on top

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line your muffin tin or loaf tin.
• In a large bowl, beat the coconut oil and maple syrup together with a whisk. Then add the eggs and beat further. Mix in the mashed bananas and milk, baking soda, vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon.
• Add the flour and oats to the bowl and mix with large spoon.
• You can add berries, chocolate chips or anything else now.
• Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cases and sprinkle each muffin with a few oats. Pop in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

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Make-Ahead Fruituccinos

Ingredients:

• Seasonal fruits/berries
• Spinach
• Freezer bags

Method:

• Chop all your fruits and vegetables and divide into bowls.
• Let the children select their own ingredients and store in individual freezer bags.
• When you come to making the smoothie, pour the bag contents into a blender with milk, coconut milk, or water and blitz to taste.

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Rhubarb and Yoghurt Ices

Ingredients:

• 500g rhubarb
• Vanilla pod
• Water
• Coconut or full-fat Greek yogurt
• Ice lolly moulds

Method:

• Cut the rhubarb into chunks and place in a pan with the vanilla pod and a good glug of water.
• Slowly bring to the boil, then simmer for 5 minutes until the rhubarb has softened. Remove from the heat.
• Put a sieve over a large bowl and push the rhubarb through using a wooden spoon.
• Mix 200ml of the rhubarb liquid with 2 tbsp of yogurt and leave to cool.
• Pour the mixture into ice lolly moulds and freeze.
• For stripy lollies, layer the rhubarb, then yogurt, and then rhubarb again. Keep going until you’re at the top of the mould.
• When frozen, run the outside of the mould under warm water to remove and serve immediately.

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Apple Crumble Crunch Muffins

Method:

• 3/4 cup ground almonds
• 1 cup of buckwheat flour (plus extra to dust)
• 3/4 cup oats
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 cup apple sauce (puréed apple or shop-bought is fine)
• 2 apples, chopped
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Large pinch of salt flakes

Ingredients:

• Heat the oven to 170°C.
• Tip the ground almonds, oats, flour, salt cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl.
• Mix in the apple sauce, vanilla extract, butter, maple syrup and eggs until well combined.
• Dust the chopped apple with a little buckwheat flour before folding into the batter with the raisins.
• Line a muffin tin and spoon the mixture into the cases, to the top.
• Combine the ingredients for the topping in a small bowl, and using a teaspoon, cover each muffin with the crunchy topping, then sprinkle over the coconut sugar.
• Place the muffins in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and crisp on top.

If you have any easy kids recipes that you’d love to share with fellow parents, please get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter!

READ MORE:

• Easy Crafts to do with the Kids at Home
• Family Cooking Hacks to Save Time
• Recipes: Refreshing, Super Healthy Summer Treats

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