18 recipe projects to make as a family

Balls of (not overly sweet) challah are rolled in butter, cinnamon sugar, and a very lightly toasted sesame mix before getting packed into a Bundt pan so it develops a deeply sweet caramelized shell as it bakes. Once the teamwork is done, everyone can sit around the table and pull it apart with their fingers. A solid prize. Get the recipe: Sesame Challah Monkey Bread

Who doesn't want to sneak a bite, or 12, of cookie dough? Whether you make this recipe and simply store it in a jar in the fridge for a sweet snack or roll it into dough balls to carry with you for little bites of energy, this grain-free, refined sugar–free, dairy-free recipe will give you that cookie dough experience without all the stuff your body doesn’t need. Plus, the kids will be thrilled to help. Get the recipe: Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Make this one a team effort . One of the great things about potstickers is their versatility—you can really make the filling out of anything. Kids have fun helping out—set out a bowl of filling, a dish of water and a pile of wonton wrappers, and they'll keep busy helping you get dinner on the table. Get the recipe: Homemade Ginger Pork Potstickers

Who says homemade jam needs to be a big-batch project? If you have a basket of berries or a few that are too squishy for your liking, make a single jar of jam to keep in the fridge. Thanks to its larger surface area, a skillet helps the berries cook quickly, so you can make a micro batch in minutes. These measurements are approximate. If you want to wing it, go for about a third as much sugar as you have mashed juicy fruit, and cook until it’s thick and jam-like. Just make sure you have fun doing it. Get the recipe: Quick Skillet Jam

A word of warning: once you enlist the help of the kids on these brownies, they'll be in on your hidden veggie secret. You wouldn't know it by looking at them—or tasting them—but this fudgy stack has grated beets. Hard to believe, but we're not lying. Get the recipe: Fudgy Beet Brownies

Meet a hand-sized, dippable hit. Grated zucchini is mixed with herbs, eggs, and spices, shaped into small patties, and lightly fried. Adding quinoa and feta to the batter makes these classic fritters heartier and adds more nutritional value, too. Get the recipe: Zucchini and Quinoa Fritters with Tzatziki

Little effort is needed from you on this one. What this no-knead bread asks for is time. The finished product is crispy on the outside, soft and airy on the inside. Jam and butter on a hot slice is non-negotiable. Get the recipe: No-Knead Bread

Tangy, salty, and crispy—this recipe makes enough for a small group of people, so double or triple the recipe if you really like pickles. And you do, that's why you're here. Get the recipe: Fried Pickles

Roasting strawberries first coaxes out their juices, intensifying the flavour, because science. Whisking together a simple base of sweetened berries and cream keeps this recipe easy-peasy. Max chill, if you will. Get the recipe: Roasted Strawberry Ice Cream

Kids love making something that they’re used to pulling out of a package. Sugar cookie dough makes for a tasty pastry and you're in charge of filling c/o your fave jam. Get the recipe: Homemade Pop Tarts

Not only are small pretzels easy for toddlers to hold and chew, mixing and shaping the dough is a fun activity for older kids. These ones have secret ingredient for added fibre and protein: White kidney beans. Get the recipe: Beany Pretzels

There is something so incredibly decadent about the union of sweet and salty. In this recipe, it is best to use a coarse sea salt. The visual effect is nearly as wonderful as the tasting experience. Get the recipe: Salted Caramel Buns

These rainbow rolls are a delish, no-cook solution bursting with fresh veggies and rotisserie chicken, with a sweet and savoury dipping sauce on the side. Sub the peanut butter for a school-approved version to make it school-safe. Get the recipe: Rainbow Fresh Rolls With Peanut Dipping Sauce

Japanese-style hamburgers are like round miniature meatloaves in flavour and texture, rather than all-beef American-style burgers, which can get tough when cold. These stay moist and flavourful, just like day-after meatloaf. Get the recipe: Mini-Hamburger Bento

If you've got a kid who likes to graze, try packing a spread of homemade hummus along with veggies and bread to dunk. This version is infused with oregano and fresh lemon for flavour and a kick of brightness. Get the recipe: Simple Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Kids love this smoothie bowl, and you can get them involved in its preparation by asking them to help choose and add toppings! Get the recipe: Glowing Rainbow Smoothie Bowl

Real, from-scratch spinach ricotta gnocchi. Yes you can! This recipes includes two homemade sauces to help you really flex your project management skills. Get the recipe: Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi

Think of this as fancy ranch. You're in charge of the spice level if the kids can't handle the heat. Get the recipe: Labne With Sizzled Scallions And Chile