Squashed Biscuits: a recipe

This is a post specially for Sandy, who is currently wondering if and what activities she should be doing with her 20 month old. I do agree, that it's hard with one so young, a.) to get them interested (and keep them interested!) and b.) the fine motor skills needed often just aren't there yet, particularly in boys, and this makes for mess in lots of activities. My answers to these are a.) let them flit: if I make these biccys, Boy will pop into the kitchen every 5mins or so to help, then go off to play when he needs a rest from the cookery. b.) the mess: teach them to help clean. Boy loves "putting right" what he has made messy. You may have to clean twice :-).

100g flour
100g dried fruit (I use raisins)
2 tbsp flaked almonds
100g oats
100g butter
1 whole mashed banana
1 tsp mixed spice
1 egg
If desired, 1 tsp golden syrup (or add more dried fruit for sweetness, cranberries or chopped apricots are nice)

Rub the butter into flour and oats and spice, sit your toddler on the work top, and get them to add the raisins, handful by handful, a very important job. Have extra raisins on hand for eating :-). Next job: get toddler to chop the banana with a butter knife, then mash it in bowl. Then mix in the mashed banana and the egg. (And syrup, if desired. Fun to watch for toddler!) Shape into balls and then flour toddler's hands, (may have to do this repeatedly!) let your child squish them into flattish circles about 7-8mm thick. This is the best bit. Or do it yourself if you prefer nice-looking evenly cooked biscuits without holes. Cook on a baking tray in the oven at 190 (or 170 for fan ovens) until they look browned at the edges - about 8-12 minutes. Get toddler to sweep the floor and wipe the surfaces while cooking. Then, obviously, re-do his work....he's learning vital life lessons, he's not there yet though! My Boy does a special "squash" face to "tell" everyone how he helped make the biscuits!