🍪 Make Your Own Courage Cookie!
In The Courage Code: Secret of the Forgotten Compass, Jonah and his friends discover that courage comes not just from magical artifacts, but from the caring community around them. One of their secret weapons? Mrs. Goldstein's famous courage cookies—treats that fuel both body and spirit during their adventures.
Inspired by the power of sharing food and building connections, here's a simple recipe you can make with young readers to create your own courage-building tradition.
Courage Cookie Recipe
Makes approximately 12 cookies
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar (see notes for variations)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Colorful sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
Mix the base: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
Add dry ingredients: Gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms.
Shape and decorate: Roll dough into balls or use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Add sprinkles before baking.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Place cookies on lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool and share: Let cookies cool completely before enjoying with friends and family.
Recipe Notes for Parents
Sugar variations:
Use 1/2 cup for traditional sweetness
Reduce to 1/3 cup for a less sweet version
Substitute half the sugar with brown sugar for chewier cookies with caramel notes
Try honey as a partial substitute for a different flavor profile
The Real Magic of Courage Cookies
While the cookies in the story might have special powers, the real magic happens when we create something together. Baking with children offers opportunities to:
Practice following directions and measuring carefully
Work as a team toward a shared goal
Create something to share with others
Build traditions that connect to positive memories
The act of making and sharing treats mirrors the way the Codekeepers support each other—through small acts of care that build strength for bigger challenges.
Building Your Own Courage Traditions
Consider making these cookies:
Before starting a new school year
When a child faces a challenging situation
As a way to welcome new friends
To celebrate small acts of bravery
The goal isn't perfect cookies—it's the time spent together and the message that courage grows when we support each other.
Next week: Exploring how the Fear Brigade represents the real anxieties children face, and how friendship helps us overcome them.
Family activity: After baking, share stories about times when you or your children showed everyday courage. What "fuel" helps your family be brave together?