a pre-reading activity

ABC SnacksFall Cookbook

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 2

Are you ready for fall?

Whether it’s a candy corn-inspired treat, a turkey made of hummus, a perfectly seasonal apple snack, or a vegetable skeleton, these ABC Snacks are a great way to enjoy cozy comfort foods as the days get colder! With these creative recipes, you can spend quality time with your preschooler, support pre-reading skills, and enjoy a yummysnack—all at the same time!

ContentsC Is for Candy Corn Cups .............................................................................................................. 3CH Is for Cheesy Mac Bites ........................................................................................................... 4G Is for Gobble, Gobble Turkey Snack .......................................................................................... 5G Is for Grilled Grapey Cheese Sandwich ..................................................................................... 6N Is for Nutty Apple Nachos ......................................................................................................... 7Q Is for Quick & Quirky Quesadillas ............................................................................................. 8T Is for Tasty Towering Trees ......................................................................................................... 9U Is for Upside-down Peach Cake ............................................................................................... 10V Is for Veggie Face Pizza ............................................................................................................ 11X Is for X-citing X-ray Skeleton .................................................................................................... 12Z Is for Zany Zucchini Muffins ..................................................................................................... 13Teaching Tips ......................................................................................................................... 14-15Picture Book List ......................................................................................................................... 16

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 3

Candy corn is the quintessential sweet treat for fall—but it’s definitely not the healthiest. This delicious alternative is made from wholesome ingredients like yogurt and fruit and packs a sweet punch that you can feel good about giving to your kids.

Here’s what you’ll need to make twocandy corn snacks:

• 2 clear plastic cups• ¼ cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)• ¼ cup diced mandarin orange sections (fresh or canned)• Plain or vanilla yogurt• Candy corn candies (optional)

Directions:1. Spoon pineapple chunks into bottom of clear plastic cup.2. Spoon diced orange sections on top of pineapple.3. Top fruit with a dollop of yogurt.4. Garnish with candy corn candies, if desired.

C Is for Candy Corn Cups

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 4

CH Is for Cheesy Mac BitesKids love macaroni and cheese, and this is a really fun (and wholesome) way to make and eat this always popular lunchtime classic! We even added a surprise ingredient that gives this recipe a fun seasonal twist.

Here’s what you’ll need to make eighteen Cheesy Mac Bites:

• ½ pound elbow macaroni• 2 tablespoons butter• 2 tablespoons flour• 1 ½ cups milk• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese• 2 ounces cream cheese• ½ teaspoon salt• ¼ teaspoon pepper• ½ can pureed pumpkin

Directions:1. Preheat oven to 400°.2. Spray muffin tins with cooking spray.3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.4. In a medium-sized pan, combine butter and flour over medium heat. Whisk until butter

is melted and mixture is smooth. Slowly add milk and bring to a simmer. Add 1 ½ cups of cheese, cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.

5. In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, cheese sauce, and pumpkin until thoroughly mixed.

6. Spoon mac and cheese into muffin tins. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.7. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.8. Cool for 5 minutes before gently removing the bites from muffin tins.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 5

This adorable turkey snack is a perfectly healthy way to begin your holiday feast. Our Gobble, Gobble Turkey is the best kind of snack—healthy, beautiful, and delicious. It will add just the right touch to your Thanksgiving festivities!

Here’s what you’ll need to make oneturkey:

• ½ cup hummus• 1-2 stalks celery• 2 large carrots• 1 red pepper• 1 yellow pepper• 2-3 cherry tomatoes• 1 small olive

Directions:1. Spread hummus on plate to form the turkey’s head and body.2. Cut celery into four 4-inch pieces.3. Position celery sticks to form tail feathers.4. Chop carrots, red and yellow peppers, and tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.5. Fill space between tail feathers with chopped carrots, tomatoes, and peppers.6. Position two small strips of carrot to form feet.7. Use carrot and pepper pieces to form the beak and caruncle.8. Use a small piece of olive to form the eye.

G Is for Gobble, Gobble Turkey Snack

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 6

G Is for Grilled Grapey Cheese SandwichWhat’s better than a warm and gooey grilled cheese sandwich on a crisp fall day? Well, this fun recipe takes comfort food to a whole new level by combining two kid favorites—grilled cheese and grapes—into one amazing sandwich.

Here’s what you’ll need to make one sandwich:

• 2 slices white or wheat bread• 1-2 tablespoons softened butter• 1-2 slices American, cheddar, Swiss, or

Muenster cheese• 3-4 grapes, sliced

Directions:1. Spread one tablespoon of butter on each slice of bread.2. Lay one slice of bread, butter-side down, on a small skillet. Place one cheese slice on top

of bread.3. Arrange sliced grapes evenly over sliced cheese.4. Add remaining cheese, if desired, and top with remaining bread slice, butter-side up.5. Grill both sides of sandwich until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown and crispy.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 7

N Is for Nutty Apple NachosIt’s like eating a caramel apple, but with less mess! Nutty Apple Nachos provide a winning combination of crisp apples, smooth nut butter, crunchy granola, and chocolate chips that will be a major win for moms and kids alike!

Here’s what you’ll need to make oneplate of apple nachos:

• 2 apples, any variety, washed and thinly sliced

• 4 tablespoons caramel sauce, peanut butter, or your favorite nut butter

• 4 tablespoons granola, any variety• 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Directions:1. Arrange apple slices on a plate.2. Melt caramel or nut butter in microwave or double boiler.3. Drizzle melted nut butter over apple slices.4. Sprinkle apple nachos with granola and chocolate chips.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 8

Q Is for Quick & Quirky QuesadillasHere’s a quirky twist on a traditional Mexican snack classic. It’s like a personal-sized pizza dressed up in a quesadilla’s clothing! This snack is quick and easy to create and delicious to eat on a blustery autumn day!

Here’s what you’ll need to make onequesadilla:

• 2 10" tortillas• 2 tablespoons pizza sauce• 1 ounce grated cheddar cheese• 1 ounce grated mozzarella cheese• 8 slices of pepperoni• Cooking spray

Directions:1. In medium skillet, fry pepperoni until crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside. Wipe

skillet with paper towel.2. Place one tortilla on a plate and spread two tablespoons of pizza sauce on it.3. Sprinkle half of grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top of sauce.4. Arrange fried pepperoni on top of cheese.5. Sprinkle remaining cheese over pepperoni and cover with remaining tortilla.6. Spray skillet with cooking spray and preheat over medium heat.7. Carefully place quesadilla in skillet and cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until cheese is

melted and tortillas are lightly browned and crispy.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 9

Here’s a fun snack to enjoy after an afternoon of raking leaves. Created with a tasty combination of sweet fruit and salty crunch, this perfect autumn treat is easy to build and fun to eat. In fact, your preschooler will love making these colorful leaves disappear!

Here’s what you’ll need to make onetree snack:

• 1 pretzel rod• 15-20 pretzel sticks• 15-20 red and green grapes, halved• Parchment paper

Directions:1. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a large baking sheet.2. Create a tree trunk and branches with pretzel rod and pretzel sticks.3. Create the base of the tree with three or four pretzel sticks.4. Add tree leaves by positioning grape halves around branches.5. Scatter a few fallen leaves (red grapes) around the base of the tree.

T Is for Tasty Towering Trees

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 10

U Is for Upside-down Peach CakeUpside-down Peach Cake may not be the prettiest snack in our cookbook, but it’s definitely one of the sweetest. And with only four ingredients, it will be an easy and delicious addition to your fall festivities!

Here’s what you’ll need to make oneupside-down cake:

• 2 15-ounce cans of peaches in heavy syrup

• 1 packaged yellow cake mix• ½ cup butter• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Note: The recipe depends on the syrup in the canned fruit, so fresh fruit cannot be substituted.

Directions:1. Preheat oven to 375°.2. Pour peaches and syrup into 9" x 13" baking pan.3. Cover peaches with dry cake mix. Press cake mix firmly onto peaches.4. Cut butter into small pieces and distribute evenly over dry cake mix.5. Sprinkle top with cinnamon.6. Bake for 45 minutes.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 11

V Is for Veggie Face PizzaGetting preschoolers to eat vegetables isn’t always easy. But kids love pizza and our Veggie Face Pizzas will help make eating veggies more fun, even for your pickiest eaters. Get creative—and may the best face win!

Here’s what you’ll need to make one veggie pizza:

• 1 pita round• 2 tablespoons pizza sauce• 3 tablespoons shredded mozzarella

cheese• Chopped or sliced fresh vegetables

Directions:1. Preheat oven to 350°.2. Place pita bread on a cookie sheet.3. Spread pizza sauce evenly over pita bread.4. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over pizza sauce.5. Form a face by arranging veggie pieces over the cheese. Use veggies that your child

enjoys and be creative. Hard veggies like carrots may be cooked slightly in advance if necessary.

6. Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 12

X Is for X-citing X-ray SkeletonLike most of the recipes in our ABC Snacks cookbooks, this X-citing X-ray Skeleton pairs healthy eating with a hands-on activity that even preschoolers can help create. And this slightly creepy snack has arrived just in time for your autumn costume party!

Here’s what you’ll need to make one veggie skeleton:

• Assortment of veggies (we used red bell pepper strips, celery sticks, baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and cauliflower)

• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced• 2-4 small mushrooms, thinly sliced• 2 black olive slices• 1 dark green lettuce leaf• ¼ cup ranch veggie dip

Directions:1. Position small bowl of vegetable dip at the top of a cookie sheet or other rectangular pan

to form skeleton’s head.2. Tear lettuce leaf into small pieces and position around the top of the dip bowl to form

hair.3. Create the spine by arranging 7-10 cucumber slices in a line below the head.4. Create the pelvis with 7-10 mushroom slices.5. Create arms, legs, and ribs with an assortment of veggies.6. Create hands and feet with baby carrots, placing small broccoli or cauliflower florets at

the end of each to form fingers and toes.7. Create eyes, nose, and mouth with olive slices and other small veggie bits arranged in the

dip.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 13

Z Is for Zany Zucchini MuffinsGo grab the last zucchini from the garden before the first frost arrives, because this sweet snack just wouldn’t be the same without it! Made with grated zucchini, chunks of apple, and a dash of apple juice, these fun muffins aren’t just scrumptious—they’re good for you, too.

Here’s what you’ll need to make 12-14 zucchini muffins:

Directions:1. Preheat oven to 350°.2. Spray muffin tins with cooking spray or insert muffin cups.3. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger,

allspice, and salt.4. Stir grated zucchini and grated apple into dry mixture.5. In a second bowl, beat together eggs, vanilla, apple juice, and oil.6. Stir wet mixture into dry ingredients just until combined.7. Fill muffin cups half full with batter.8. Place two or three chocolate chips in the center of the muffin.9. Spoon remaining batter over the chocolate chips, filling each cup to the top.

10. Bake muffins for 20 minutes.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour• 1 cup brown sugar• 2 teaspoons baking soda• 2 teaspoons cinnamon• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg• ⅛ teaspoon ginger• ⅛ teaspoon allspice• ½ teaspoon salt• 2 cups grated zucchini

• 1 apple, peeled, cored, and grated• 3 eggs• 2 teaspoons vanilla• ½ cup unsweetened apple juice• ½ cup vegetable, canola, or coconut oil• Chocolate chips• Paper muffin cups or cooking spray

ABC Snacks: Tips for Working on Pre-Reading Skills

The ABC Snacks series is perfect for slipping in important pre-reading skills while engaging in a tasty hands-on activity. Pick and choose ideas from this list, and you’ll effortlessly increase your child’s pre-reading skills.

Print Awareness• Run your finger under the words on the recipe sheet to show

that you are reading the words on the paper.

• Have your child share the recipe with a family member or friend. Highlight the fact that his friend can make and enjoy the same tasty treat by reading and creating the recipe.

• Point out matching words when possible. For example, show your child the word flour on the recipe sheet and then compare it to the word flour printed on the bag of flour.

Letter Knowledge• As you create each recipe, use snack ingredients to form the letter of

the alphabet that the snack begins with.

• Show your child the first letter of the recipe title. For example: “Wind on the Water. Wind starts with W!”

• Have your child search for the featured letter, both uppercase and lowercase, in the snack recipe.

Phonological Awareness• Say the name of the recipe you are preparing and emphasize the first

sound of the words in the title. For example: “V…v…veggie pizza starts with /v/!”

• Choose a particular sound and emphasize words in the recipe that begin with that sound. For example, for /m/, search for words like mix, measure, make, milk, mash, and melt. For /s/, look for words like stir, salt, slice, simmer, spoon, or steam.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 14

Listening Comprehension• Have your child help you gather the ingredients.

• Read the recipe instructions aloud and have your child complete the steps that he is able to do, such as stir the batter or add the raisins.

• Begin by giving one instruction at a time, such as “Please bring me a big spoon,” and then build up to two-part instructions, such as “Please bring me two bananas and a spoon.”

• Have your child explain the recipe to a family member or friend.

Motivation to Read• Share your own enthusiasm for reading recipes and cooking with your

child. Let your child see how exciting it is to be able to read and create recipes together.

• As you and your child enjoy the snacks you have created together, point out that you have to be able to read in order to follow a recipe and make yummy snacks.

• Look at some other cookbooks, preferably those with color photographs. Explore the recipes together and talk about special foods that you might make in the future.

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 15

ABC Snacks: Picture BooksPair your snack recipe with a picture book! Below are some suggestions for each recipe.

Candy Corn CupsJulius’s Candy Corn by Kevin Henkes

Cheesy Mac BitesMacaroni and Cheese, Hot Dogs and Peas by Christine Hickson

Gobble, Gobble Turkey SnackBear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

Grilled Grapey Cheese SandwichLousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes by Margie Palatini

Nutty Apple NachosHow to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman

Quick & Quirky QuesadillasC Is for Cooking by Susan McQuillan

Tasty Towering Trees Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup

Upside-down Peach CakePeach Heaven by Yangsook Choi

Veggie Face PizzaPete’s a Pizza by William Steig

X-citing X-ray SkeletonJessica’s X-ray by Pat Zonta

Zany Zucchini MuffinsIf You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff

ABC Snacks Fall Cookbook © 2019, 2014 by All About® Learning Press, Inc. 16

Did you enjoy this activity?

Then you’ll love All About® Reading Pre-reading!

The All About Reading Pre-reading program is designed for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Your student will enjoy the special games, crafts, and storytime read-alouds, and you will love the way your student effortlessly learns the five essential pre-reading skills:

• Print Awareness• Letter Knowledge• Phonological Awareness• Listening Comprehension• Motivation to Read

To learn more about All About® Reading Pre-reading, please visit www.AllAboutReading.com

or call us at 715-477-1976.