“Thankful” Pumpkin Bars with Alpha-Bits Cereal

This post is part of a campaign with Mom It Forward Blogger Network and Alpha-Bits, but all my opinions are my own.

Thankful-Pumpkin-Bars-Alpha-Bits-Cereal

It’s November – the month of thankfulness. And couldn’t we all benefit from another helping of thankfulness?  We’ve been talking a lot about gratitude around here, and trying to be even more intentional with our kids during this season. But I have to admit, if I’m not having a grateful heart, it instantly rubs off on my boys.

All the more motivating to practice gratefulness in front of my kids. 

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We know that action is the best reinforcement, so instead of just talking about things we are grateful for, we put it into a fun cooking and decorating activity.

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We made these yummy pumpkin bars together (see recipe below), and they took turns adding ingredients and cracking eggs.  {We also used baking as an opportunity to apply fractions and measurement math skills.}

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While the bars baked and cooled, they told me what to write down on their “Things We Are Thankful For” list, and then they practiced reading the list. I love real-life learning.

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Next I had them sort through Alpha-Bits cereal, to spell their thankful words. Playing with your food is encouraged for this activity

I let them snack on the leftover cereal while I iced the Pumpkin Bars. {Alpha-Bits are a guilt-free delicious breakfast/snack for children. With 20g of whole grains and 12 essential vitamins and nutrients per 30g serving.}

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Then they got to decorate their bars with the Alpha-Bits cereal letters and gummy pumpkins. 

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Thankfulness. Family. Pumpkin. Fun with Learning.

Thankful-Pumpkin-Bars-Alpha-Bits-Cereal

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“Thankful Pumpkin Bars” 

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 c of melted butter
  • 1 2/3 c of sugar
  • 1 can (15 oz) of pumpkin puree
  • 2 c of flour
  • 2 t of baking soda
  • 1 t of baking powder
  • 1 t salt
  • 2 t of cinnamon
  • 6 oz of cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/2 c of butter (softened) 
  • 1 t of vanilla
  • 2 c powdered sugar (sifted)
  • candy pumpkins
  • Alpha-Bits Cereal

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat the eggs, butter, sugar, and pumpkin in a medium bowl until well-blended and light.

3. Sift the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon) into a large bowl.

4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until completely combined.

5. Spread evenly into a ungreased jelly roll pan, and bake for 25-30 minuts.

6. Cool completely.

7. Make icing by creaming the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, until the mixture is smooth.

8. Spread evenly over the cooled bars.

9. Decorate with Alpha-Bits cereal and candy pumpkins.

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