[For Seniors] Recommended Snack Activities: Easy, Large-Batch Recipes
At day service centers and other senior facilities, a variety of recreational activities are held every day.
Among them, snack-making activities are especially popular.
For older adults, planning the steps of cooking and doing fine handwork help stimulate the brain.
Another benefit is that making snacks together deepens interaction among seniors.
In this article, we introduce easy snack recipes that are simple for everyone to make together.
Give them a try in your snack recreation sessions!
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[For Seniors] Recommended Snack Activities: Easy, Large-Batch Recipes (31–40)
Blueberry yogurt ice cream
Here’s a blueberry yogurt ice cream you can make just by kneading a bag.
First, put blueberry jam into a food storage bag.
Think about the final texture you want: if you like chunks, leave some pieces intact; if you prefer it smooth, mash the blueberries well.
Add heavy cream and yogurt, then knead the bag thoroughly until the color is uniform.
Squeeze out as much air as possible, seal the bag, and freeze it.
There’s no cooking involved, and most of the process is simply mixing by kneading the bag, so anyone can make it easily.
It’s also recommended as a recreational activity in senior care facilities.
Fruits dessert mix (Furūche)
This is the classic, long-loved Fruche dessert.
It was apparently released in 1976, so it’s been cherished for over half a century.
The secret to how Fruche sets is the pectin inside it.
The calcium in milk makes the pectin gel into that jiggly texture.
Interestingly, it won’t set well if there’s too much or too little calcium.
Besides chilling it to eat, you can also freeze it in summer—it turns into a sherbet-like treat.
Definitely give it a try!
Mango smoothie
How about a mango smoothie that lets you enjoy a tropical vibe? The basic method is quite simple: just blend frozen mango, yogurt, and honey.
It’s refreshingly cold—perfect for summer—and it’s a nice beauty booster, too.
Sharing ideas tailored to each person’s preferences can also help spark interest.
By the way, you can easily buy frozen mango at supermarkets and convenience stores, so it’s great for when you want to make one on short notice.
Kinako sticks-style with 3 ingredients
Here’s a simple, three-ingredient kinako-stick style recipe.
Prepare a bowl, water, sugar, kinako (roasted soybean flour), plastic wrap, and chopsticks.
Put the water and sugar in the bowl, stir, and microwave at 600W for 2 minutes to thicken slightly.
Mix in the kinako thoroughly.
Once the dough comes together, transfer it onto plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until firm.
Take out the chilled dough, shape it into easy-to-eat sticks, and it’s done.
Topping with extra kinako or inserting toothpicks for easier eating is also recommended.
The aroma of kinako and the nostalgic flavor might make your activity time even more fun!
Koinobori and kashiwa mochi
When you think of May, carp streamers come to mind, right? For a May snack activity, how about adorable carp streamer–style kashiwa mochi? Put joshinko (rice flour) and water in a bowl and stir with chopsticks until no dry flour remains, then loosely cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Soak the kashiwa leaves in water.
Place the warmed dough on parchment paper and knead it.
Since the dough tends to stick to your hands, kneading it on parchment paper is a great idea! Roll sweet red bean paste inside a long, thin strip of dough, then use a little water-thinned bean paste to draw the eyes and scales, and you’re done.
These super cute carp streamer kashiwa mochi are a must-try—give them a go!
[For Seniors] Recommended Snack Activities: Easy, Large-Batch Recipes (41–50)
ice cream
Doesn’t homemade ice cream seem difficult and high-bar because it sounds like a lot of work? Here’s a simple method: just three ingredients—heavy cream, eggs, and sugar—mixed in order, then chilled in the freezer until set.
You don’t even need the extra step of taking it out mid-freeze to stir! You can also mix in seasonal fruits, cookies, nuts, or rum raisins.
Waiting for the ice cream you made yourselves to set might be part of the fun, too.
Fluffy Steamed Egg Bread
Let me introduce fluffy, delicious steamed egg cupcakes.
In a bowl, mix together eggs, sugar, vegetable oil, and milk.
Next, add pancake mix and stir well to avoid lumps.
Then pour the batter evenly into silicone cups.
Since the batter will rise, fill them to about 70%.
Line a frying pan with three layers of thick cooking paper, arrange the cups, and pour water into the pan.
Once it boils, cover with a lid and steam.
They’ll be ready in about 20 minutes.
They’re so soft that anyone can enjoy them.
Give them a try!