After the success of the 50 States and 50 Countries Recipe Lists, many other wonderful suggestions were shared with me. One of them was to do a recipe list tied to the letters of the alphabet. I decided to compile both simple recipes and craft projects tied to each letter in order to teach kids the alphabet. It is my sincere hope that this will help parents, grandparents, pre-school teachers, day care providers, in fact, anybody who loves and works with children.  I tried many of these with my 12 nieces and nephews and they all enjoyed having fun with Aunt Marlen!
Please make sure you are aware of any allergies the children have before undertaking any project.
I am forever indebted to Mimi Hiller for making this list also available through her website, therefore, making it easy for anybody to copy the recipes and projects.

 
A is for Applesauce-Cinnamon Ornaments
 
3 cups applesauce
3 cups ground cinnamon

Mix applesauce and cinnamon together until it is thick enough to hold a form when cut into cookie cutter shapes. Flatten the mixture on a flat surface and cut into cookie cutter shapes.  Place cookie shapes on a cookie sheet to dry for 3 to 4 days depending on the size and thickness of the cookies. If using as a hanging ornament, make hole with toothpick before drying.
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B is for Banana Dogs

You need:
Bananas
Sliced bread
Peanut butter
Toppings

On the slice of bread spread desired amount of peanut butter. Place banana on the bread in the middle. Hold like you would a hot dog and add toppings. Toppings can be anything you want such as jelly, chocolate syrup, marshmallows, dried fruit, nuts, raisins, M & Ms, the list goes on and on! Then for something really special spray on whipped cream and top with sprinkles.
From Lynne A. Wagner, theideabox.com, copyright Group 23 Solutions.
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C is for Chocolate Popcorn Bars

1 12-oz. bag semisweet chocolate chips
8 cups popped popcorn

Heat chips in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Pour over popcorn in a large bowl. Stir until popcorn is evenly coated in chocolate. Press mixture firmly in an ungreased rectangular pan. Refrigerate one hour or until chocolate is firm. Cut into 2-1/4 x 2 inch bars. Refrigerate remaining bars. One bar contains only four grams of fat.  Makes 24 bars.
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D is for Delightful Dog Card

This is so cute and so simple!   Please check this site for complete details and pictures!

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/cards/dog/
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E is for Edible Playdough

2 c Smooth peanut butter
2 c Rolled oats
2 c Dried milk
2/3 c Honey

Optional
Rice Krispies
Coconut sprinkles
Chocolate chips
Red hots
Tiny olives
Cocktail onions

Get your kids to mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined. Have them wash their hands while you cover the kitchen with wax paper to make a work surface for them. Give them the bowl of playdough and leave them to it. Store in an airtight container.
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F is for Face Paints

1 teaspoon corn starch
1/2 teaspoon water
1/2 teaspoon cold cream
Food coloring

Mix together in an old muffin pan & paint! Amount is for each color.
Recipe by Kids Cooking by Klutz
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G is for Grapes and Cheese Kebobs

Just cube your favorite cheese and alternate with grapes. These provided both protein and fruit for an energy boost! If you are concerned about the skewers, just cube the cheese and mix it with the grapes on a plate.
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H is for Heavenly Hash

1/2 package (12oz) chocolate almond bark
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1-1/2 cup mini-marshmallows
2 cups Golden Grahams cereal
1  cup Spanish peanuts

Combine almond bark and chocolate chips and melt over low heat; stir in peanut butter. Combine marshmallows, cereal, and peanuts in a large mixing bowl; pour melted chocolate mixture over all and mix to blend well. Spread on wax paper and let harden (to set it quickly, put it in freezer for a few minutes). Break up with hands or a knife and store in the refrigerator in a tightly covered tin.
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I is for Ice cream in a Bag

1 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 Cup Half-n-Half
1/4 tsp Vanilla
1/2 Cup Rock Salt
Ice
1 Pint Size Ziplock Bag
1 Gallon Size Ziplock Bag

Combine the sugar, half-n-half, and vanilla in the pint size ziplock bag and seal tightly. Combine the ice and rock salt in the large ziplock bag. Place the small bag inside of the larger bag and seal. Shake the bag until the mixture turns into ice cream! This will take about 5 minutes. (You may want to wear gloves.) Add sprinkles, candy, nuts, or fruit and enjoy!
Submitted by Suzy Gardner
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J is for Jelly Bean Nests

2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 cups butter
4 cups chow mein noodles
Jelly beans

In 2-quart saucepan combine marshmallows and butter; cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted (6 to 8 minutes). Stir in noodles until very well coated. With buttered fingers, press mixture on bottom and up sides of each cup of buttered 12-cup muffin pan. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm. Remove nests from muffin pan. Fill nests with jelly beans. Makes 12 nests.
From Recipe Goldmine
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K  is for Kool-Aid Play Dough

This play dough is colorful and has a wonderful fragrance too. The kids just love it!
 
1/2 cup salt
2-1/2 cups flour
2 packages Kool-Aid
3 tablespoons oil
2 cups boiling water

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil. Add water and knead. Store in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
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L is for Leaf People

What to do with that big pile of leaves in your backyard? Make leaf people of course!

What You Need:
Leaves (all shapes, all sizes, all colors)
Small twigs
Glue
Scissors
Construction paper (different colors)

Have a look at a small pile of leaves to see if their shapes suggest heads, arms, bodies etc.  Choose some leaves that resemble people parts and glue the shapes down on construction paper. You may need to do some cutting and rearranging to come up with a pleasing shape.  If you have the leaves (and the time) you could create a huge leaf person by drawing out a body shape and gluing leaves all over to fill in the shape.  You can use twigs and construction paper scraps to add details to your leaf person.
© KinderArt
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M is for Milky Way Balls

1/2 stick butter
18 marshmallows (large)
3 large Milky Way candy bars
2-1/2 cups cocoa crispies/pops cereal

Melt butter; add marshmallows and milky ways. Melt over low heat; stir in crispies.  Wet hand; roll in balls. Roll in powdered sugar. Separate until cool. Store in airtight container.
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N is for Nutty Haystacks

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cup Chinese noodles
1/2 cup salted peanuts

Equipment: One-quart batter bowl, measuring cups, wooden spoon, teaspoon, waxed paper (18-inches long).
Combine sugar and corn syrup in a batter bowl; stir with a wooden spoon. Microwave on High 1-1/2 minutes; stir. Microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture comes to a full boil. Carefully remove from microwave.  Stir the mixture with the wooden spoon. Add the peanut butter; stir until melted and completely blended. Add the
noodles and peanuts; stir until coated. Use a teaspoon to drop the cookies on a sheet of waxed paper. They will become firm in 15 or 20 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.
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O is for Oatmeal Dough

1 part flour
2 parts oatmeal
1 part water

Mix ingredients together and form into shapes. The items made from this play dough recipe can be painted when they are dry.
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P is for Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Materials Needed:
Pine Cone
Peanut Butter
Margarine
Yarn or Wire
Bird Seed
 
Tie or twist the yarn or wire onto the pine cone for the hanger. Mix 1 part peanut butter to one part margarine. Spread the peanut butter and margarine mixture onto the pine cone. Pour some bird seed onto a plate or shallow dish and roll the pine cone in it. Place the seed-covered pine cones in the freezer for about an hour or until it is set. Hang it outside!
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Q is for Quick Snack

1 cup candy-coated milk chocolate pieces
1 cup sunflower seeds
3 cups unsalted peanuts
2 cups raisins
1 cup shredded coconut

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Serve in small paper cups.
From Goldmine Recipes
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R is for Rocky Road Candy

2 lb. almond bark, white
3 c Fruit Loops Cereal
3 c Cheerios cereal
2 c miniature marshmallows, colored

Melt almond bark in a double boiler. Mix cereals in a large bowl, and pour the melted almond bark over them. Mix thoroughly, add colored marshmallows, mix again and then drop by tablespoonfuls onto was paper. Cool until firm. Makes about 3 dozen.
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S is for Super Fast Honey Snack

Mix 1/2 cup peanut butter with 1/4 cup honey.  Use as a dip for carrot and celery sticks, and pear and apple slices.
From honey.com
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T is for Ting-A-Lings

1 pkg 6 oz chocolate chips
1 pkg 8 oz butterscotch chips
1 can 4 oz chow mein noodles
1 c Cashews or peanuts

Melt the bits in a double boiler or in a microwave oven. Add the chow mein noodles and nuts. Drop on wax  paper by teaspoonfuls and let cool.
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U is for Unique Alphabet Cakes

Spread cream cheese or peanut butter on rice cakes. Use raisins or craisins to form letters on the cakes. Decorate  with sprinkles.
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V is for Vanilla Cherry Shake

4 scoops of vanilla ice cream
2 cups of milk
3/4 cup frozen cherries, pitted
1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup of crushed almonds

Using a blender, mix ingredients slowly, stopping every few seconds. Be careful not to overblend.  When done, the ice cream should be smooth and the cherries and nuts chunky. Pour and serve.
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W is for Wave Maker

Wouldn't it be nice to see ocean waves whenever you'd like? With a little oil, a little water, and a little imagination, you can do just that with the Wave Maker.

Clear Plastic Soda or Water Bottle (2.0 liter size is preferable)
Food Coloring (blue and green, or colors of your choice)
Vegetable Oil, colorless
Tap Water
Glitter or Metallic Confetti or small Trinkets (optional)

Fill bottle half way full with water and add about 4 drops of food coloring. Confetti or glitter can be added next if desired, a few pinches at a time. Using a small funnel, fill the bottle the rest of the way to the cap with vegetable oil. Add a dab of glue around the threads on the bottle top, screw the cap on tightly to seal. Colored plastic tape can be wrapped around the cap for extra sealing protection and decoration.  Tilt and rock slowly from side to side to create action in your wave maker!
From about.com, Donna's Day, Show 21
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X is for Xena’s Peach Smoothie

1/2 cup plain yogurt (or use peach flavored)
1/2 peach
1/2 cup pineapple
1 sprig mint
1 ice cube

Place all ingredients in a blender, and whip until smooth. 1 10oz serving
Courtesy of Lulu’s Recipe Extravaganza
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Y is for Yogurt Popsicles

1 cup plain yogurt
1 banana, sliced
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fruit juice or fruit chunks (Favorites: orange juice or peach)

Blend ingredients together and pour into small paper cups. Freeze. Place a plastic spoon or popsicle stick in each cup when yogurt mixture is half frozen.
To serve, turn cup upside-down and run hot water over it until the popsicle slips out. Let children keep the cups to use as a holder.  Makes 4-5 small popsicles
From Lisa Votaw's Recipes
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Z is for Ziplock Fudge

3 oz package of cream cheese
1 lb box of powdered sugar
2 packets of cocoa mix or 1/2 cup of cocoa
2 tablespoons of butter
2 1-gal Ziplock storage bags

Place all ingredients in one of the Ziplock bags, close and put it in the next Ziplock bag. Give everyone a turn at squishing the bags to mix. Mix until smooth.
Make sure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing starts.
After mixing is completed, cut the corner off the bag and press a thin fudge line from the bag. Apply as decoration for cupcakes, cookies etc. Press any extra fudge out on a flat plate to enjoy later.