CHRISTMAS GOODIES FOR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

CATHEDRAL WINDOW COOKIES

My Grandma Warner used to make these at Christmas. Its a family favorite. Fast and easy.

1 egg, beaten
1 stick butter
1 c. chopped nuts
1 bag (6 c.) miniature COLORED marshmallows
1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1 c. flaked coconut- or 1cup crushed graham crackers

Melt chips and butter together over low heat. Cool a little; then quickly stir in beaten egg. Mix nuts and marshmallows with chocolate mixture. DO NOT BEAT, just stir to mix.

Shape into 2 separate 'logs' about 12 inches long. Roll dough in coconut or graham crackers. Roll the log firmly in waxed paper and place in freezer. Slice the logs into 1/2 inch cookies once frozen. Once they are sliced they look like little stained glass windows.

ALMOST FAMOUS PUMPIN BREAD

1 cup solid pack pumpkin

1/2 cup oil (cut out some fat by replacing with apple sauce, its just as yummy!)

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/3 cup water

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 3/4 cup flour

dash ground cloves

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. ginger

Oven to 350

In a large bowl mix oil, sugar, eggs, water and pumpkin and chocolate chips. In another bowl combine remaining ingredients. Blend all together until smooth. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 min for regular sized loaves or approx. 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean for several mini loaves.

COCONUT LIME COOLERS

These little cookies couldn't be any easier, or tastier!

2 pouches sugar cookie mix

1 cup coconut

2 tbsp lime zest

6 tbsp. lime juice

3/4 cup melted butter

2 eggs

1/2 cup powdered sugar for garnish

Oven to 350

In a large bowl, combine everything except for powdered sugar, stir until a soft dough forms. On ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart.

Bake for 9-12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

CHOCOLATE SNOWBALLS

1 pouch sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup melted butter

1 egg

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans or almonds)

60 hershey kisses, unwrapped

3/4 cup powdered sugar for garnish

Oven to 375

In a large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, egg, flour, cocoa, and nuts until soft dough forms.

Shape into 60 3/4 in. balls; wrap each ball around one hershey kiss. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet onto cooling racks. Cool for about 5 minutes. Roll cookies in powdered sugar.

YUM!

SUGARPLUM LOLLIES

(chocolate dipped marshmallows)

1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips

1 bag large marshmallows

toppings:

sprinkles, chopped nuts, flaked coconut, mini chocolate chips, chopped candy canes, anything else you can think of.

20 wooden popsicle or craft sticks

Line a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper. Lightly spray with non stick spray.

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or cook on simmer if you have a very low setting on your stove. Melt until smooth. (i've also microwaved chocolate, 30 seconds at a time, stir after each segment until melted.)

Put each topping you have chosen in a separate, shallow dish or bowl.

Stab each marshmallow with a popsicle stick, pushing it in about one inch. Dip the marshmallow pop into the chocolate and cover it evenly. Dip it into the various toppings. Put the marshmallow pop onto the wax paper to set.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour until completely hardened. These look so cute wrapped in cellophane with a bow!