Cooking by the Book

Ten Treats Inspired by Childrens Books

I entered the ALSC sponsored Top Ten contest by combining two of my favorite things: food and children's literature. This list is limited to sweet treats found in books for young people.
​Some recipes are created by the book's author. Other desserts are inspired by some of my favorite books for young readers. Bon Appetit!

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Cinnamon Apple Pie
Inspired by The Good-Pie Party by Liz Garton Scanlon illustrated by Kady Macdonald Denton.
I discovered this recipe years ago in the local newspaper. Instead of ground cinnamon, it is flavored with cinnamon oil.
Tastes like a cinnamon candy apple.

Cherries in the Snow
recipe is found in The Truth About Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh.
Kat's book is chock full of fun recipes. Here is the dessert named after a lipstick color. I opted for individual serving goblets instead of the suggested large bowl. This made a visually stunning and refreshing ending to a meal.

Watermelon Limeade Float recipe is located in A Clatter of Jars by Lisa Graff
Similar to the original cake recipes she included in A Tangle of Knots, Graff offers a variety of beverages in her latest magical middle grade book which features frogs, friendship bracelets, and of course, jars.
Next I want to try making the Camp Atropos Sunset Punch.

Warm Gingerbread
There is nothing quite like squares of warm gingerbread, fresh from the oven. I like to top mine with fruit and whipped cream. (I like peaches, my husband prefers pears. Both are good.)
​It's the perfect accompaniment to Gingerbread for Liberty written by Mara Rockliff and illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch.
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Freezer Strawberry Jam
This is a family tradition. Every year I mix up quantities of strawberries and sugar and then store jars of this fresh summer-tasting jam iin our freezer.
Just like Russell Hoban and Lillian Hoban's Bread and Jam for Frances, you'll want more of this.
The easy recipe can be found on a box of Sure Jell Fruit Pectin.

Apple Tart
I had never made an apple tart in my life. But after reading Sarah Moore Fitzgerald's The Apple Tart of Hope I had to try. I used Ina Garten's recipe for French Apple Tart. It was so easy - even the pastry was a breeze. Although there is no cinnamon in this recipe and Fitzgerald's book is replete with references to cinnamon, it is an excellent dessert.
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Caramel Corn
My friend from New Jersey shared with me this recipe from her mother in Michigan. Now my family in Texas makes it every year and sends to relatives out of state. Caramel Corn reminds me of Frank Asch's Popcorn, an all-time favorite read aloud.
Children never tire of reading this classic. Like the caramel corn, it is always a hit.

Homemade Ice Cream Drumsticks
I finally figured out how to make my own ice cream drumsticks and they are so so good.
I use a variety of chocolate: milk, dark, or bittersweet to match the flavor of ice cream that I use: from homemade vanilla to pistachio. I love to compliment the flavors with a variety of nuts and crushed candy toppings. The
Ice Cream Summer described by Peter Sis never has to end.
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Party Cupcakes
Sara Varon includes lots of yummy recipes in her graphic novel Bake Sale. Be sure to check them out.
I use easy white and chocolate cake cupcake recipes from Southern Living when I make cupcakes for a crowd, Its fun to mix/match frosting and toppings for variety.

Molasses Sugar Cookies
This is my mother's recipe. Soft and chewy, they are perfect with a glass of milk.
It's difficult for anyone to eat just one. I'm certain that the Mouse featured in  If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond would definitely be going back for a seconds.