I found a great recipe for baby cookies using Baby Cereal and a few other ingredients. That is when the brilliant idea popped into my head. My daughter has a play dough toy (i believe it is the Confetti Maker) that cuts the dough into little tiny lucky charms type shapes... PERFECT for little PUFFS! i wouldn't have to roll little tiny balls like i saw another poster doing... brilliant? i think so.
So, i whipped up the dough, put it through the silly little play dough toy (after thoroughly washing it, of course.), and popped them in the oven. :)
I'll tell you what, the baby isn't quite old enough to tell me her thoughts, but my 3 and 2 year old girls LOVED THEM! i then made them a batch just for them with a little bit of Nutella mixed in for added flavor. and so they would leave the baby's treats alone. lol
So, here's the recipe:
2 Tablespoons Oil
2 Egg Yolks
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 Cup Baby Cereal
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Water
Mix all ingredients. add enough water to make it come together. add more cereal if you added too much water. Load the dough into the Play Dough Confetti maker and crank away. you don't need to worry about separating them all completely, after they bake, they separate easily just by shaking the pan. Bake at 325 for about 7-10 minutes. let cool for 5 minutes or so before putting them in an air tight container. Store in the fridge.
Hey this sounds awesome! Is it the same texture as the puffs tho? Like melt in your mouth kinda thing? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNo. i really need to whip up another batch and perfect that. they are a bit harder, my older girls (3 and 2) loved them! but they don't quite melt in your mouth. I will post an update when i get that figured out.
DeleteJust saw this, Lisa, and confirms what a creative problem solver you are--and perservering, I might add. Gram
DeleteNow startin givin my son it...so would try makin home made one...tks
Deletethinking if you whipped the egg like you would merange and fold everything in might work. I think i am going to try this tonight when kids are in bed my 3 and 2 yr olds always gobble them down before the baby gets them thank you for this. I think i will play with fruits like apple sauce cut the sugar and water, Avocado or banana instead of oil.
DeleteMaybe try baking at a lower temp for a bit longer also...
DeleteQuick question - do these have to be stored in the fridge? Thinking about making them for a trip (flying). Thanks!
DeleteAn old cook here...you are not incorporating enough air into your recipe. Instead of mixing them with a spoon, try using a beater to mix it all together
Delete1/4 cup of sugar! No wonder they liked them.
DeleteI would leave out the sugar.
DeleteCould you not substitute the sugar for puree?
DeleteIf you sub sugar for puree you'll need to reduce the amount of the other liquids in the recipe
DeleteHave you ever put fruit or veggies in them like the gerber ones? If so how much?
ReplyDeletecould you use V8 juice instead of water?
ReplyDeleteIs that much sugar really necessary? That's the main reason I was looking up a homemade version, so we could avoid the sugar...
ReplyDeleteyou can swap unsweetened applesauce or yogurt for sugar! They are really healthy alternatives, and it shouldnt change the consistency to much or not at all. I'm a crazy health freak and it comes highly recommended from health books, mags, and websites.
DeleteIf I use applesauce or yogurt is it the same measurement as the sugar? I know some substitutions are more or less than the original ingredient
DeleteI found this without the sugar my baby loves them, same 350- 10min1
DeleteTbsp coconut flour (I used regular flower)
1 Tbsp ground chia seeds
1 Tbsp fruit or veggie puree
1 Tbsp sunflower seed butter (I used regular butter)
http://www.coconutmama.com/2012/12/19/homemade-baby-snacks-gluten-free-dairy-free-grain-free-vegan-sugar-free-nut-free-egg-free-paleo/
Be careful with the chia seeds. Dizziness cam be a side effect from them.
DeleteI didn't know that about the chia seeds! I made some chia seed pudding, and ate it up one night this last week. I got really dizzy the next day. Hmm. Who knew? Other than that, the chia seed chocolate pudding was delicious. Wonder why they make you dizzy?
DeleteThis didn't work out for me. I made the recipe exactly except with applesauce instead of oil. The dough came out of the machine in a long, worm-like strand, and didn't separate into bits once baked. They didn't come out as "cereal like" as I was expecting, but I'm more disappointed in the fact that I have to cut it into little pieces still. Any advice on how to get the individual pieces like in your picture?
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you were using the confetti maker play doh tool? There is a tool that does make worm like pieces.... I know pretty obvious question but it's the first thing I thought of.
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DeleteMaking kid/baby foods with a playdoh toy? Can't lie, this totally grosses me out.
ReplyDeleteHave you never seen a kid eat playdough?
DeletePlaydough is completely non toxic and safe to eat... I don't see a problem at all.
DeleteJust buy a clean one for 8 bucks...problem solved
DeleteI'm fairly confident that using a clean one would eliminate the 'gross' .... /:)
DeleteI found one today for $3 plus tax at my local Five Below store
DeleteDid you ever use your moms rolling pin to roll your playdough out? I did my moms and friends did their moms as well and my kids use mine and my moms! I even have two rolling pins so you would think one for playdough and one for baking nope both used for well both! They get washed every time so no biggie same way w using the playdough confetti maker! So well not seeing how its grose!!
DeleteThat's stupid that it grosses you out. She cleaned it, and it worked.......................play-dough isn't poop. It's play-dough.
ReplyDeleteI agree…why would it be gross? It's a toy, not poo! I'd it's cleaned, what is the problem?
Deletehahaha. like a kid has never eaten play doh.
ReplyDeletegreat idea. too bad we dont have one of those tools
i think this is a wonderful idea
ReplyDeleteI thought babies under a year wasn't supposed to have eggs
ReplyDeleteegg whites are a no no they can have egg yolks cooked at around 8 months
DeleteFlax seed and bananas are good egg subs
DeleteMy kids' pediatrician says that now its safe to eat eggs, all of it
DeleteWhen it comes to egg whites (and for some egg yolks), you gotta watch out for allergies.
DeleteNew guidelines say whole eggs are good from 6 months unless there's a family allery. My lo has been eating them since then.
Deletenewest guidelines (2015) suggest that high risk babies are LESS likely to develop allergies when exposed early, versus delayed exposure.
DeleteMy daughter's doctor said that it's okay for children eat almost everything 6+m, except honey. Which is 1yr.
DeleteWe have been told by our Pediatrician that honey should be after 2 years old. My sister in-law who is a Pediatrician says wait till 3. Our 4th baby is eating everything he can (tiny boy) except honey.
DeleteThis recipe looks good but what else can you use if do not have that tool?
I was just thinking about putting it in a cake decorating bag and just do drops onto a mat. It's easier than having to cut or roll pieces if you don't have the playdough tool or don't want to buy one. I might try this with the drop method and see how that goes.
DeleteI love playing with the confetti maker when playing play doh with my daughter! I will be trying this recipe ASAP!! Thanks! You are so clever!
ReplyDeletehow do/can you get it into confetti if you don't have the tool?
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried the dough, but based on the consistency, you could cut it into strips and squares with a pizza cutter pretty easily. That's my idea anyway. :P
DeleteYou could make it at the consistency of cake batter and pipe out the shapes uses a piping bagg or cut the end off a sandwich bagg
DeleteTHIS!
ReplyDeleteI've been spending WAY TO MUCH on those dumb gerber puffs for far to long!
This is my answer.(It didn't really help that walmarts brand "Parents choice" had puffs as well but only $.20 cheaper with more god knows what ingredients.)
You could, I don't know, look on the back to see the ingredients and compare? Just a thought.
DeleteYour reply made no sense to post you replied to-even in the smartazz manner you intended it...maybe you entered into wrong one? Just a thought....
Delete"God knows what ingredients" was Not a question asking what was in it- It was a common phrase used in a statement..... You could, I dont know, maybe work on your comprehension?
wow, grammar police!!!
DeleteWhat is the deal? Why are some of you ladies tearing each other apart? Isn't being a mom hard enough without turning on each other? Don't Mom's get criticized enough from the general public? Why do it to each other? Do yourselves a favor and play nice. And if you can't do that then get off the computer and go hug your kids. It will make you feel better.
DeleteI subbed 1 cup unsweetened applesauce for the oil & sugar and added 1/2 t cinnamon. Also used 1/2 c whole wheat flour instead of all white. The mixture was definitely gooier than play-doh, but I don't have the tool anyway.
ReplyDeletePiped strips from a giant pastry bag & cut them smaller after baking since trying to pipe dots did not really work. I would maybe increase the baking powder if I made this variation again. Still easy enough for my 2-toothed 1-year-old to gum & not choke on, but didn't melt in my mouth. Less messy than other cookies I've given him, mainly because they don't spend enough time in his mouth that he feels the need to take them out. :op
SO GLAD my sister sent me this link!
She didn't use flour.
DeleteThat's right; she didn't. My son quit eating the cereal, and it seemed silly to buy them to try out a recipe I wasn't sure he'd like and didn't have the equipment to prepare as written anyway...
DeleteRecently purchased the tool and had the same problem as the person above who had to cut the worms. Ended up adding so much flour they were bricks without changing anything else in the recipe. Think I'll stick to my pastry bag...
If you look at the recipe, there is no flour in this recipe, so thats probably why its not working for you
Deletehow much water do i use
ReplyDeleteIt's quite funny: While living in Mexico, I discovered that these things have existed there for decades (and decades, and decades, and decades!). They're eaten as a snack, or as cereal, by people of all ages, and they're infinitely more nutritious and natural than these gerber puffs. A HUGE bag was about $2 at my local Walmart. They're much more tasty, too! I guess big companies like Gerber often go the 'let's make something easy, super expensive'. Ah, well. :)
ReplyDeleteI live in Mexico please give me the name of that thing thanx
DeleteYou could try fruit flavored baby cereal and eliminate the sugar, I would think. I may give this a try some day, but for now my baby eats plain puffed wheat. 1 ingredient and my 9month old loves them. Those are a super inexpensive snack! a huge bag for maybe $3.
ReplyDeleteThey're definitely more like "Ella's Kitchen" cookies then puffs. I used vegetable juice instead of water. Also the dough never quite became play doh consistency so I had to usea pastry bag and tip. My 10 month old loves them!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I'm sure the reason it's practically impossible to achieve that melt in your mouth puff is because most commercial puffed rice is done using high amounts of pressure that are difficult or unsafe to achieve at home. Still - any way you can know better of what is going into your child is preferable! Great idea with the toy! I bet your kids were impressed!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited I found your recipe! I have been looking for a homemade version for over a month because my 6 month old loves them and I love doing homemade when possible. I substituted juice for the water for added flavor. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteDo they really have to be kept in the fridge? I would keep most of them in the fridge I guess, but how about the portion that will be eaten in a day or two??? Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13360651&CAWELAID=1525412438&pla=plat&cagpspn=pla
ReplyDeleteHeres a link to get a confetti maker if you need one its only 10 bucks and you get other items along with it your children can play with later and you can keep the confetti maker for your baking needs!
If your baby gets the flu shots and has no reactions then they can eat eggs. That is why they ask you if they have egg allergies before you get the flu shot. To the chick that thought it was nasty to use the toy to make food, WOW do you need to relax! You would freak if you saw the bugs and such that my 11 month old has already eaten! And kids eat things that they shouldn't all the time.... its just part of being a parent! I love the recipe. I am going to play around with it and see what I can come up with! Love all the advice and tips too!! Great work moms!
ReplyDeletewhat kind of cereal should u use
ReplyDeleteIt worked great for me!!! I used barley cereal & left the sugar out. :) My daughter loves them!!!
ReplyDeleteI tried my own versison just now. I used olive oil, rice cereal withfruit in it, omitted the sugar and baked it at 250*. I think the result is ok. I haven'thad my 9 month old try them yet. Oh, I also doubled the baking powder so they would be "puffier". I used a bag and tip so make the puffs. I think I can work them out into something he will like . . .
ReplyDeleteDid they melt in your mouth? My 9 month old twins love the gerber ones but I always prefer to give them home made food.
DeleteIs there any reason not to give babies tiny piped meringue cookies?
ReplyDeletethe amount of sugar
DeleteMeringue is made of egg whites which is a high allergy food and should not be given until after the age of one.
DeleteEgg whites only need to be given after the age of one if there is a history of egg allergies in your family. Otherwise they are suggested to give after 6 months.
DeleteWhat an awesome idea! Thank you!!!!
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm making these now. Does anyone know if they are suppose to get hard in the oven? Mine are still pretty soft after 10 minutes. Also, what's the consistency of the dough before you bake them?
ReplyDeleteThey dont melt in your mouth, I dont think they are very safe for under 12months.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried them yet, but it sounds like a good way to use up the extra baby cereal we have left :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI make these all the time for my eight month old and she gobbles them up. I cut the sugar down to 2 tablespoons and add a container of baby food tho. We also prefer oatmeal cereal, so they taste like oatmeal cookies. I eat them too lol
ReplyDeleteI think this is a brilliant idea! I will pass this around to all the new mothers I know and there are plenty.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I can make cat and dog kibble for my fur babies using this toy. I'm not joking, I don't have babies that are human but I'd like to make my own kibble but the thought of making small balls was dreadrul, good idea to use a childs toy though!
ReplyDeleteMade these today.. altered the recipe a tad.. I used 1 1/2 cup Gerber Oatmeal Cereal and 2 TbL of coconut oil and a serving cup of apple sauce(instead of sugar) and a pinch of cinnamon along with the egg yolks, vanilla and 2 tsp of baking powder .. whisked the ingredients then used a butter knife to mix to keep the air in the mix. Had a good light texture. Loaded the confetti maker and filled the pan ... baked for 8 minutes at 325 F... they didnt raise much but stayed light and spongey .. they stayed about the same size as before the oven baked them .. perfect for little hands
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about using baby purees and this answered my question. Thanks!
DeleteI can't wait to try this when my 3 week old gets big enough! I might just have to try it before and have my 6 year old try it! Thanks for sharing and thanks to all the moms for sharing tips & suggestions for substitutions!
ReplyDeleteI made these substituting a container of baby food for the sugar and formula for the water. My confetti maker wss being difficult so I just cut into small peices. They were good but they didnt get crunchy and had more of a spongey texture. Any ideas for making them crunchier?
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ReplyDeleteYour baby loved them because of the obscene amount of sugar in them. Try adding none.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone found a good recipe? Im thinking cooking them in a convection oven might help? I've tried to research online but other peoples didn't turn out too well. I bought a playdoh confetti maker for shape purpose, as well as a airtight container for storage. Here's what i was thinking but i need advice...badly. m thinking 2 egg yolks, 1tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 cup baby cereal (i have tons! ..others used cocnut flour...but my angle here is to save money too), 2 tbl cocnut(what are other alternatives than veggie/canola) oil, maybe 1/2-1 tsp natural vanilla, then 1/4 cup applesauce(i want to try applesauce first because i know it as a natural rise aid) and 1/4cup either mango/peach/banana ....maybe even kale, broccoli, sweet potato she likes those too but i think applesauce will help them be crunchier and not as soft like what happened in the video i saw. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong, but I believe coconut products it can have an effect similar to laxatives if too much is consumed.
DeleteAnd on the applesauce, I'd say incorporate everything together and then add an appropriate amount of applesauce so the dough is not too loose or wet so you can get that separated puff look you are going for.
But really the best way is to just give the recipe a shot and if you are concerned about wasting food and don't know if it will work, test it out as a smaller batch like 1/2 or 1/4 the size to test it or a few different flavors at the same time and just write down what you do as you are doing it so if it works or doesn't work you know what you did.
And good luck! I'll be interested to see how it works out for you and will be trying a few variantions myself!
I am already done it and find that this post is really amazing.
ReplyDeletesee this
These don't seem very healthy for a baby.. alot of sugar + baby cereal often has added sugar also.
ReplyDeleteGreat insights on parenting! I loved how you highlighted the importance of finding a balance between self-care and family time. Your tips on effective communication with kids are truly helpful. Keep up the fantastic work, Mommy Opinion!
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