Mysty PfefferI’m trying every way I can to get the children around me to eat fresh-milled flour. It’s not easy! Because they are so used to the texture of refined white flour. Especially if they have some taste/texture issues and a sensory processing disorder. In most cases, I can’t persuade or bribe three of my little ones to make sense of the grainy flour enough to take the plunge. It hits their sensitive little tongues and somehow the texture signal fires out faster than the taste neurons do.
Comparing Fresh-Milled Oat & Wheat Poptart to Store-bought
My hope is these fresh-milled oat & wheat Poptarts will taste so good they’ll won’t notice the change in texture. After all, the real fruit filling and slightly sweet pastries pack a good amount of fiber, protein, minerals, and natural B and E vitamins to start their day. Mom can rest in the knowledge she gave her child a quality breakfast treat to meet part of his daily needs, without red dye 40, synthetic vitamins, and genetically modified oils and corn syrup found in a store-bought Poptart. Plus, they’ll reduce the sugar from 25 grams to 4.9 grams, that’s cutting over 6 teaspoons of sugar to one teaspoon!
To help parents prevent future heart disease in their children, it is recommended from the American Heart Association to limit sugar to 6 teaspoons per day for children and women, and 9 teaspoons for men (1)
Best of all, making a child’s own treats teaches them life skills. Not only will they use their reading, math, and science knowledge to understand a recipe, the opportunity to teach them God’s loving kindness is also present. I want the little ones in my life to know how much He cares for them in the little things. His thoughtful provision of their every need is evident in the nourishing value of the food He created. I also want them to know the choices they make now impact their quality of life later. So, eating real food, without dyes, artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers reduce inflammation of their cells and promote better mental and physical health.
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:5-7 ESV – Thorns and snares are in the way of the – Bible Gateway
Fresh-Milled Oat & Wheat Poptart
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Oats Fresh-Milled
- 1 Cup Wheat Fresh-milled
- 1/2 Cup Butter I have substituted chilled organic olive oil too, and it works just as well.
- 4-5 Tbsp. Kefir ( or almond milk, or water)
- 1 egg separated
- 1/2 Tsp. Salt
- 1/4 Tsp. Cinnamon
- 1/4 Tsp. Nutmeg
- 1 Tbsp. Sugar
Filling
- 1 Cup Strawberries (Fresh or Frozen) Use any fruit you like!
- 2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup Or honey
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 Tsp. tapioca flour
- 1 Tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees
- Put your fruit in a small saucepan and place it on the stove on low, 1-2. Let it come to a simmer while you prepare your pastry dough but watch it and stir it occasionally to break down the fruit.
- Combine your flour, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl and whisk well. Using a pastry cutter blend in the butter (or chilled olive oil if keeping it vegan). The dough will be crumbly but dry.
- Separate the egg and keep the whites for a brush over your pastry later. Add the yolk to the 4 tablespoons of kefir or milk substitute you are using to bring the dough into a formable pastry dough. If it looks dry, use the 5th tablespoon of milk. You can chill it for an hour if you like, then roll it out.
- Check on your fruit filling, it should be heated and ready to purée in a blender or food processor. The fruit should have enough liquid present, so you don't have to add water, that is why you are heating it very low. But some fruit with low water content, like blueberries may need a little (say 2 Tbsp.) water added. Use your best judgment without letting it burn. Once it is pureed, place it back on the stove and add the maple syrup or honey. It will still be too thin and watery, so add the tapioca starch and stir until the fruit thickens to a thick paste. Remove from heat and add vanilla, stir well and set aside until it cools and you work on your dough.
- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees
- Get your chilled dough out and place a large piece of parchment paper on the counter and another over the ball of dough. Roll the dough out thinly and evenly between the paper, then peel off the top layer of paper and cut off the outer edges. Form a square of the dough, then cut dough into small rectangles (about 2.5 inches by 3 inches). Use a fork to place small holes in the dough.
- Once you have your dough pieces cut place it on the parchment paper, hole sides down on a baking sheet. Spread a teaspoon or so of the fruit filling on the inside of the square, leaving about a 1/4 of an inch unfilled dough around the edges.
- Place the second piece of dough over the filling on your bottom square evenly and press the edges together with a fork. Brush with the egg whites and bake at 350 degrees for about 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition
As I type the instructions I think wow, this sounds complicated and difficult, but it’s really not. I’ll post a video. There are a few ingredients and steps to think about but assigning a child the task and asking them questions about how to create something better and more nutritious than a store-bought product will give them a sense of accomplishment.
I also think the time spent bonding together, laughing, tasting, and exploring new ideas is much more enjoyable than an evening filled with everyone in their own little electronic world. I pray you have that time together with your precious little ones! They grow up so fast, every moment with them will be cherished some day!
If you need more recipe ideas check out the Garden, I’m here to help you convert any favorite processed food into a delight from God’s garden! I am also available to pray for your family, offer educational workshops, or help coach you through a difficult time. So, just let me know by picking a time on the calendar for a free consultation here!
I look forward to serving you! God bless.
