It had been over three months since I had last seen my granddaughters. I was so excited to see them this last week when I returned back to the Chicago-area for a family visit. Of course I brought presents! One of our favorite activities to do together is to cook. So, I chose to gift them this cookbook My First Cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen for each family as a fun way to reconnect. The girls were overly excited about receiving their first cookbook. Together we sat down and read the book. The contents list recipes for after-school snacks, holidays and celebrations, sweet treats, and of course breakfast, lunch, and dinners.
Firecracker Hot Dogs
The girls decided to make Fire Cracker Hot Dogs which are perfect and just in time for the 4th of July! This recipe, along with a few others, includes a fun fact explaining the holiday and why it is celebrated. I thought it was fun to learn and read out loud before we began. This cookbook also includes wonderful photos of children cooking and preparing the recipes. The step by step instructions also include photos which are very easy to follow and understand.
Ingredients
- 8 hotdogs
- 1 can of biscuit dough
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- 8 wooden skewers
Steps
- Heat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper that has been sprayed lightly with cooking spray
- Carefully push a wooden skewer lengthwise through the hotdog
- Roll each biscuit dough into an oval that is around 8 inches long and cut into strips. Starting from the top wrap the strips around the hotdog in a spiral. Leaving gaps in between (sort of like a candy cane). Place the hotdog on the parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the egg on the top of the dough. Sprinkle on the sesame seeds if desired.
- Firecracker topper: You can make your hotdog special by taking the leftover biscuit dough and roll it into a circle. Using a 2 inch star cookie cutter to make a shape. In lieu of a star, you can also cut the dough into a triangle which will make the hotdog look like a rocket. And that is a little easier.
- Carefully stick the shape at the end of each hotdog onto the skewer.
- Bake until golden brown about 15 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving. Of course, this may be hard to do because the children will be excited to eat them
Overall, our cooking experience was a pure delight. My eight year old granddaughter told me that this cookbook was one of her favorite gifts and she can’t wait to make another recipe with me.
Happy 4th of July!
What a great idea for a gift. Adorable pictures. It looks like the kids had a load of fun, it looks like you did too. So glad you got to visit with your grandkids.
What a cute idea. The hot dogs look pretty easy.
Maureen,
It really is a simple recipe and my grandchildren were excited to make them.
Happy 4th to you and your family!
Nancy
Oh Gwen I’m so happy to see them and we are having the best time!
HI Nancy!
This is so sweet! How wonderful to pass the tradition of cooking to your granddaughters and their own cookbook! Its a lot of fun to cook together. My mom and I have been cooking together more now that she is at our home. LOve these hot dogs, a fun and patriotic recipe! Love your outfits too!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Cooking with my grand-daughter is one of my favourite activities. Thanks for the recipe. 😊
This is just too cute! So glad you were able to have fun with your grandaughters! Love the photos!
Oh thank you Michele it was so nice to see her and spend time together!
Happy 4th to you!
Nancy
Oh I can’t wait to do all these things with my grandsons! For now I’m just into cuddling (one is 8 months and the other 2 weeks!) fun recipes!! Thank you!
Hello Lucy,
I saw the photo of your little newborn. Enjoy every precious moment because they do grow up rather quickly.
My Best,
Nancy
Such a great way to reconnect.
It truly is! I love to cook and spending time in the kitchen with my grandchildren making memories is the Best.
Have a wonderful Week!
Nancy
What fun memories you are making with your beautiful grandchildren.
Hi Kelley,
It’s the absolute best!!
Nancy
I love this post so much! Grandchildren are the best…
I don’t think it’s too late to get the ingredients to make these with my grandson Hudson! Thanks so much for a wonderful idea!
Good Morning Suzanne,
I’m sure your adorable little grandson would really enjoy making these with you. I’d love to see a photo if you do make them. Spending time with our grandchildren is so rewarding. It’s nice that he lives close by and you can visit often.
Have a Wonderful Week,
Nancy
Nancy,
What a sweet cooking post with your granddaughters!
I love hot dogs and I’m going to pin this post to use for next year when my little girls are old enough to cook with Nana.
I hope you had a wonderful time with them!
Hugs,
Robin
It’s the simple pleasure’s like trying a fun recipe with your grandchildren that fulfill my life. Grandchildren are a blessing and I’m enjoying each minute I get to be with them.
Have a wonderful week!
Nancy
Oh Nancy, such sweet granddaughters you have. What a fun gift and cooking experience. Glad y’all have been reunited for a bit❤️
Thank you Melanie, I had the best time visiting. I hated leaving. They made me smile and laugh every single day.
Have a wonderful week!
Nancy
Nancy,
What a fun project!
My grandsons would love these! The younger one was so into making cake pops for his birthday in April.
Rosemary xoxo-rd
Hi Rosemary,
I hope at your grandson likes making these with you too! Just an FYI my husband ate two of them, as adults like them too. I just bought molds for cake pops and plan to make those with my granddaughter next. She picked out a rainbow recipe.
My Best,
Nancy
I LOVE this , Nancy!! Going to do this with my grandson, Max. This recipe is just right for a 6 year old that can’t sit still! Keep making those memories❣ My Grandma Millie taught me how to cook…so many precious memories I have of her & I.
I was 5yrs old when I made my 1st polenta dish😁
5 years old making Polenta! Pam that is wonderful. You and I both understand how precious time in the kitchen with grandchildren can be. Enjoy making your fire cracker hotdogs but watch out because all the adults like them too 🙂
p.s. check out my activities with grandchildren category on my blog for a few other ideas
Happy 4th of July!
Nancy