Metamorphic Rock Cookies

For science, I'm learning about all sorts of rocks. I have a whole kit full of all different kinds or rocks, like sandstone, granite, and quartz. My favorite is pyrite because it looks like a big chunk of sparkly gold.

Even though there are many different kinds of rocks, they can be grouped into three main categories. They are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Sedimentary rocks are formed by pressure and cementing, igneous rocks are formed in volcanoes and wherever magma can flow, and metamorphic rocks are formed when rocks are subjected to pressure and heat. If you are interested in rocks, you should come visit Utah. It is a rock lover's paradise.Part of my science experiment was to make metamorphic rock chocolate cookies. Don't worry-there won't be any real chunks of rocks in the cookies! Thecookies are like metamophic rocks because you form soft cookie dough into balls that you squeeze with pressure. Then, when you put them in the oven they are subject to heat-just like metamorphic rocks. The cookies change from soft dough to hard rocks. Well, not too hard, but definitely solid. It's always fun to try a new chocolate chip cookie recipe, especially if it's part of your science lesson. I always like a school project I can eat up when I'm done.

Metamorphic Rock Cookies

2 and 1/2 T butter

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, then ships. Form into about 20 (one inch) balls. Bake them for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy your rock cookies! That's all for my tasty science show. See you next time!

Holiday Helper: Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July! Here are some easy and fun crafts for Independence Day, plus a yummy pie recipe. Let's start with a basic bead bracelet. I like to make my bracelets on pipe cleaners, since it helps the beads stay put. You can buy bead sets and pipe cleaner at Walmart for about 1 dollar each. This is a good craft for boys and girls.Next, I'll show you how to make a patriotic candy necklace. You'll need candy, cellophane or saranwrap, and some ribbon. If you want to take your necklace outside, don't use candy that will melt. I used patriotic taffy and my brother is using York Peppermint patties. Miniature Nestle Crunch bars would be good, too. Cut your cellophane or saran wrap into a piece about 3 feet long and six inches wide. Place your candy along the long side, one piece about every two inches.
Cut some ribbon in about six inch pieces.
Roll the candy up in the cellophane and tie off each section with a bow.

Close the ends together with a ribbon and TA DA! Open it up and share the candy with friends.Now for the recipes:
Use your favorite pie crust recipes or buy some ready made pie crust at the grocery store. Cut out a round circle and press it into a ramekin. Mix together some berries and sugar and flour. (I used 3/4 cup raspberries, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon flour. My brother used a combination of raspberries and blueberries.) Pour into your ramekin. Cut some strips to lay across the top. Weave the strips over and under to make a lattice top pie. It's really easy on a small ramekin. Just lay the first crust strips across like a T and go from there. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.

For another great recipe, use your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, but replace the chocolate chips with patriotic M and Ms. Press the M and Ms into the top of each cookie right when they come out of the oven.

Have a Great Fourth of July!Come back tomorrow for a very quick sparkly firecracker craft idea.

All you need: red, white and blue construction paper, glue, ribbon, and glitter.