Not So Usual Celebrations
July 9th is National Sugar Cookie Day. It is not known why July 9th has been designated as National Sugar Cookie Day, but what a sweet way to look at this day. Sugar cookies can be found most everywhere, and whether they are soft (seems like grocery store bakery versions of the sugar cookies usually come in the variety with frosting—totally appropriate to the season) or crunchy (many packaged brands tend to move in this direction), they are delicious!
During your program you might want to share “Sugar Facts” with your students. Here are some Fun Facts about sugar.
- Sugar gives the body energy.
- Your body changes sugars into glucose.
- Carbohydrates are complex sugars such as whole grain products.
- Simple sugars (candy, soda) can give you a sugar high that is quickly gone.
- Words that end in “ose” indicate that this is another word for sugar. (glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, and lactose.
- Sugar has a variety of names including corn syrup, dextrose, and granulated sugar.
- Sugars can come from corn, beets, grapes, or sugar cane
- Sugar can occur in foods naturally or be added.
Sugar Cookie Activities
Purchase a box or package of sugar cookies. Have youth decorate them with frosting.
Purchase a package of sugar cookies. Have youth smash them into crumbs. Add a small amount of butter or margarine (just enough to hold the crumbs together) and pat the mixture into a pizza pan. Mix together 1 package of cream cheese, ½ c. sugar, and a touch of vanilla. Spread over the cookie crust. Add fresh fruit on top—strawberries, blueberries, bananas, kiwis, peaches, or other seasonal fruit. Refrigerate for an hour. Cut into slices and enjoy.
If you don’t have access to real cookies, have youth create a sugar cookie drawing with the perfect topping.
For more tips on how to start a cooking club in your expanded learning program contact us at support@consultfourkids.com