Food & Fun

Illustrations by Dani Jones

Friendship Cookies

Invite friends or family members to bring favorite mix-in ingredients. Enjoy trying other people’s favorites! You could also deliver a sweet surprise to someone in your class or neighborhood.

1 cup softened butter or margarine

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Mix the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth and creamy.

2. Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl. Pour them into the butter mixture and mix until combined.

3. Give each friend some dough in a small bowl. Have them each add 1/2 cup of their favorite mix-in.

4. Use a spoon to drop dough onto a cookie sheet. Cook for 9–11 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Your cookies will be as unique as your friends are!

Ideas for Mix-Ins:

• Chocolate chips (white, milk, semi-sweet, etc.)

• Mint chips

• Crushed pretzel pieces

• Nuts (pecans, peanuts, pistachios, etc.)

• Dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, apricots, etc.)

Getting to Know You!

Play this game to learn more about what makes your friends unique!

1. Write some get-to-know-you questions on pieces of paper.

2. Wad the first piece of paper into a ball, and use a rubber band to hold it together.

3. Wrap the second piece of paper around the ball. Add another rubber band. Keep going till you’ve added all the questions.

4. Sit in a circle with friends or family, and take turns taking off a rubber band and answering a question.