Hey Chicks,

I've been invited to an exchange and I have to prepare 6 dozen cookies or candies. I have some old favorites, but I'm hoping some of you will share your favorites. The easier the better!

Can you help?

Sher,
I have been cooking for 33 years and will check on some old rescips for you and would love to have some new and easy ones. What a wonderful idea . I look up my ones for cookies for the Holiday.

Nancy Sounds like fun.

Sher if you go back and check the recipe topic posts I have already put some cookie and cake recipes there and will add several more in that section...

Funny, I just posted about htis in another forum. What kind are you looking for?

I'd like to request one. I'm supposed to enter a cookie contest, and I know one of the judges is chocoholic. So I need something fairly easy, but really chocolatey. (And of course, I need this strictly for me, too, since I'm a chocolate freak, too! )

Apricot Foldovers

Below is one of the great recipes found in the book Christmas Cookies Are for Giving. The book features 48 other great Christmas cookie recipes with full-color photos, plus baking tips, tips on packaging cookie gifts, tips on shipping cookies, and tips on making Gifts in a Jar.

Mimi Cummins says: "This is another of my Grandma’s unusual but delicious recipes. This cookie with the light and flaky pastry provides the perfect balance of savory and sweet. For the best flavor make sure to use sharp cheddar cheese."

1/2 cup (125 ml) butter, softened
1 cup (250 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
1 cup (325 ml) sifted all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (30 ml) water
1 cup (250 ml) apricot preserves
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar

Beat the butter and cheese until light and fluffy, then blend in the flour and water until just combined. Chill the dough for 4 to 5 hours.

Pre-heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat the preserves and sugar until the mixture boils and is smooth. Set aside to cool. Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a 10-inch (25 cm) square, cut into 2½-inch (6.5 cm) squares. Put 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the preserves in the center of each square, fold over diagonally and seal the edges with the tines of a fork.

Bake on an ungreased baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool for 1 minute then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 30 cookies. These cookies should be hand-delivered.

More recipes at www.christmascookiesareforgiving.com

Yummy!

Donna, how about Hershey's chocolate peanut butter cookies, but instead of using the peanut butter chips, use chocolate chips. Let me know ifyou want it. I'll post it for you. They're drop cookies, nothing fancy, but would be full of the good stuff!

Donna,

Got one for ya .

Chewy Brownie Cookies,
2/3 cup of (2/3 Stick) Crisco Shortening
1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tabls.water
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet choc. chips
(12 oz)pkg

------------------------------------------------

Heat oven 375 .1. Place sheet of foil on countertop for cooling cookies
2. Combine crisco, brown sugar, water, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended . Beat eggs into creamed mixture.
3.Combine flour, cocoa , baking soda and salt . Mix into creamed mixture at low speed just until blended . Stir in chocolate chips
4.Drop by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet
5.Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375 F for 7to 9 minutes, or until cookies are set . Do Not Overbake. Cookies will appear soft and moist . Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet
Remove cookies to foil to cool completely

Makes about 3 dozen cookies
Enjoy! I have made these and soo... good and rich.

Does anyone have a fudge recipe that is easy to make ? My husband wants to make fudge . I can't do this very well . He makes salads and all of that. Help

Thanks Nancy

[ December 08, 2004, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: Nancy50 ]

Thanks you are cute . I will tell him that. I am baking cookies today Choc chipe and peanut butter that is all and grandmothers applesauce cakes in loaf pans Ummm....

Still need a recipe for fudge . Anyone out there to that. Please. It is called Help Dean.

Sher....This is the easiest cookie recipe on the planet and good too... (makes 24 cookies)

LEMON KISSES

Vegetable oil spray
Whites of 2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 teasoon fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
Zest from 1 small lemom

1.) Preheat the oven to 300*F. Lightly spray 2 baking sheets with vegetable oil spray.
2.) Pour the egg whites into a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice and cream of tartar.With an electric mixer, beat on high until soft peaks form.
3.) With mixer running, gradually add the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue to beat ubtil the egg whites are shiny.
4.) Use a spoon to drop 1 1/2 inch mounds of merinque onto the baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
5.) Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned. Thansfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let cool separately....

VARIATION:
Orange Kisses

Replace the lemon juice and lemon zest with fresh orange juice and 2 to 3 teaspoons orange zest.

Great recipes, ladies.

Hey, the easiest fudge ever...... and the one that tastes like you're the fudge queen is the one using Sweetened Condensed Milk:

Easy Fudge

3 (6 ounce) packages semisweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Melt chocolate over boiling water in double boiler, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread evenly in 8-inch square pan lined with wax paper. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Turn out on cutting board. Peel off wax paper and cut into squares. Keep leftover fudge tightly covered.

Yields 1 3/4 pounds.

Thanks Sher,
I will copy this off for my husband . I am baking my cakes today and then turn the kitchen over to him. Ha.

Sher, well I tried your fudge recipe this morning and all I have to say is Nancy run for the hills if your hubby makes this fudge, I ate more of it ALREADY than I care to report on the diet topic, (bad girl) whoa is me, this stuff is soooo good and much too easy to make as well. I am making this for some of the little old men at the nursing home that have a sweet tooth, the ones that have teeth that is, leave out the nuts and "no teeth needed." Thanks Sher, grrr!

Chatty, Thanks for giving me a laugh . Anyway I will tell Dean (my husband that is his name) . I have one one Batch of Applesauce cakes to make and finished tomorrow. Tired. I am worn out now. Ha!

He is sending me to the store tomorrow to get the ingredents for the fudge . Wow!

I remember one year long ago I made six different kinds of cookies . I got on a roll and could not stop until my daughter told me what I had done. I guess I would have keep on going.

Now my husband would like me to make the sugar cookies that I have a recipe for on the box of baking soda that you just drop them off on your teaspoon and then dip the bottom of drinking glass into the color sugar to flatten the cookie Very easy , but I am too tired now. You would have to roll me out the door now to do them . Ha! Even telling me how pretty my brown eyes won't do it.

[ December 12, 2004, 10:59 PM: Message edited by: Nancy50 ]

Yesterday I made the dough for oatmeal raisin, chocolate peanut butter, ginger pennies, and butter cookies.

I'm happy to share the recipes if anyone is interested?

ahhh...what's Cream of Tarter? How do you separate egg yolks? What's da matter with you people? Don't you know the grocery stores have all this stuff already baked? good grief...

Okay...okay, to show you I'm in a festive mood, I need a quick and EASY, which doesn't include trying to separate the while from the yellow, recipe for tomorrow. We are having our Christmas whatever, and they line the halls with tables (over 300) and you walk all day long from hallway to hallway eating yourself into a coma...

I NEED SOMETHING TO FIX THAT DIFFERENT AND NOT THE SAME OLD SAME OLD....BUT EASY...and doesn't have a lot of ingredients...

So, if you accept this mission, lay it on me. I've got pen and paper in hand.

JJ

Dotsie,
Do you mean that the dough will actually stay in the refrigerator? My husband would eat half of the oatmeal and especially the peanut butter dough. No wonder I don't cook.
Maggie

Sooooo....are you saying nobody has an appetizer recipe that's simple that even DA QUEEN could make? Remember, I have one eye on my stove...and don't own a double broiler.

JJ

Ah...cuse me...but I'll have whatever Chick is drinking...Girl! You're wound tighter than an 8-day clock! LOL!

JJ

JJ my Queen even you can make this and the people just love it.....Buy some Portobello Mushrooms, clean thoroughly under tepid water and pat dry with paper towel. Place the mushrooms on a tray covered with aluminum foil and grill until brown about 15 minutes, then drizzel with a little extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.....absolutely delicious!

Too late sweetie...I needed something before I left work so I could stop at the grocery store. I just opted out for the old fav....Hawaiian Bread with Spinach Dip...

OH CRAP! I forgot to buy the darn crackers..Lord, I'll never be able to replace Martha Stewart at this rate...geessish...

JJ

Sorry JJ, I answered as soon as I saw the post. Nothing like waiting to the last minute eh?

Check out the McCormick Web site for lots of cookie recipes ? www.McCormick.com

I did and Wo w went crazy . Enjoy!

[ December 14, 2004, 09:01 PM: Message edited by: Nancy50 ]

this is one of my favorite candy recipes, so easy. It's not chocolate, but some have used chocolate chips instead of the butterscotch. I'm a chocoholic, but like the butterscotch better. The ingredients sound weird but they are usually the first to go! I got the recipe in junior high school home economics and am still making them 40 years later!

Ting A Lings (don't ask me about the name!!)

2 - 12 oz. packages butterscotch chips
1 - 12 oz. can peanuts
1 - 5 oz. can chow mein noodles

Melt chips in top of double boiler - or microwave. Add noodles and peanuts. Toss lightly until all noodles/peanuts are covered. Drop by teaspoon on wax paper. Let cool.
Makes 70 - maybe or 5 really big ones.

Elsielc, I remember Tingalings! Wow, that was a long time ago.

Nancy, I went to make your recipe for the cookie bake-off and I didn't have cocoa. Can you imagine a chocoholic's pantry without cocoa?? I'm going to have to remedy that situation immediately!

So I made "Philly Chippers." Out of nine entries, mine came in second! Here's my prize-winning recipe:

1 c. margerine
1 8 oz. pkg. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 12-oz. pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Het oven to 375 degrees. Cream margerine, cream cheese, and sugars til light and fluffy. Stir in egg and vanilla. Add combined dry ingredients. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.

That's the 'official' recipe. I used 2 tsp. vanilla, extra chocolate (of course!) and pecans.

They melt in your mouth. Enjoy!

[ December 15, 2004, 03:17 PM: Message edited by: DonnaJ ]

easy appetizer...sorry I'm late. Somehow I missed this post.

Pie plate
package of cream cheese
can of pizza sauce
mozzarella cheese
optional- pepperoni, sausage, chopped veggies.

Spread the cream cheese in the pie plate, spread the sauce, sprinkle the cheese, and add any toppings you like.

Bake at 325 for 25 minutes

Serve with Tostitos. Watch it disappear!

I know a recipe...pretend you can't cook and have other people send you cookies! 'Course this doesn't work if you wrote a Christmas cookbook

I took Swedish sugar cookies (the secret is ammonia) and Pecan Balls to a party. Weere they ever a hit!

OK, I've been gone and I'm behind on all these.
Can you tell I've been trying to make up time?? all in one night??

Anyway, I posted this under Hobbies on a baking post, but you want simple, here it is.....

Cover one SMALL pretzel, with a Rolo (choc covered caramel), place them in microwave for 15-30 sec., just until they start to melt. Remove from microwave and place half of pecan on top.

That's it, and they are yummy!!

Phew...so much work

Hey I made a batch of those during Christmas and you're right, they are simple, simple, simple...

Love those simple ones!

JJ

Somebody brought me a chocolate covered pretzel that was the best I had ever tasted. After covering it in chocolate you dribble on pieces of pralines. Let cool on waxed paper and oh my God, talk about good.

We made the fudge (with chocolate chips and Eagle brand milk) - in the microwave! It was WONDERFUL. I wanted to make buttermilk pecan pralines. Found a microwave recipe. They turned out SOOO creamy -- even better than the one's you buy at the Mexican restaurants.

PECAN PRALINES

3/4 c Buttermilk
2 c sugar
2 c Halved Pecans (although I used chopped pecans)
2 Tbs Butter
1 Tbs Soda

Stir together buttermilk, sugar, pecans, salt and butter in a 4 or 5 quart dish. Cook on high (100%) for 12 minutes, stiring at 4 min intervals. Stir in baking soda until foamy. Cook on high for 1 minute. (This last step gives the pralines a carmel color). Beat mixture until tacky (about 1 minute). Drop by teaspoons on a sheet of oil. Allow to cool - then peel from foil.

Yield: 5 Doz.

Here's an easy recipe for Chatty's cheesy grapes. It's sort of low in calories too. But you have to watch out cause those grapes are ADDICTIVE.

You take some cream cheese (however much you want)and you mix in some Stevia (not too much. Just enough to make it slightly sweet) then you add some chopped pecans (just enough to make it crunchy).
You get some nice cold grapes and spoon a little of the cheesey stuff on top. Then you just gobble 'em up.
Great for when you're hungry and don't want to wait. YUM. You could probably use other fruits like orange slices or something, but I'm still stuck on grapes. Love grapes anyway. And I think they're healthy. If you don't eat too many as I am prone to do.
smile

Is Stevia something you can only get from outer space, since thats where you're from??

Never heard of it.

Summerbreeze

Stevia is an artificial sweetener you can buy at health food stores.

I've had the grapes. I made them for company this summer and they were a hit.

Here's another easy one:

Use the little waffle pretzels.
Sit a Hershey Kiss on top.
Place in 250 oven until Kiss melts a little.
Remove and place an M&M on top.
Let them sit until firm.

My sister made these and they looked so festive because she used the red and green M&M's.

I made lots of chocolate covered pretzels this year. I just put 4 in my son's lunch today. I'm trying to get rid of them.

Now why couldn't I like knitting or bike riding even gambling but NO I like to cook and of course to eat what I cook and I am such a good cook too. I just hate ME!!!!

I somehow typed stevia in the cheesy grape recipe. DON'T use stevia. It causes diarrhea. Use Splenda. Brain lapse.

And Chatty, Please don't say you "hate yourself" for being the wonderful cook and neat person you are. Who cares if you are 'normal' and not anorexic like some heroid addicted model. You're just right as you are. The first step to becoming all you can be is to love yourself as you are. And we already love you!!
smile

I only nuse Splenda as well. Now I was just foolking around, I don't really hate me, well maybe alittle, the fat parts, oh, oh they're all fat parts, so I guess I really do hate me, boo hoo....

chatty, now come on...you are doing the boomer diet. You are losing aren't you?

We love you chatty!

Yes now I am again but gained nearly 30 pounds trying one Diabetes medication after the other, they all worked but boy did they add the weight, Dr kept saying it's only temporary but heck I gained all that in only 6 weeks and wasn't eating much food either. I threw all that crap out and am sticking with one which I only take if my glucose goes over 130, if not I just watch what I eat. The lack of being able to be in the pool daily really doesn't help either, that pool walking is great exercise for me. I ate what I wanted within reason and never had to take a pill. Now bad carbs are treated like poison by me and that helps alot.

Why in the world would medicine for Diabetics make you gain weight? It just doesn't make any sense. They FDA never should have approved such a drug.

Well I'll tell them you said so when I write my congressman and anyone else who'll listen but only after I have strangled my doctor who is suppose to know what the hell shes doing. Makes you wonder what kind of spiffs that drug company is handing out. I'll treat my own Diabetes Thank You very much...

I wish I could manage my daughter's Diabetes. I totally understand the disease becasue Ross has it too and has since we dated.

We took my daughter to a doctor last year. We did three visits and we were out of there. She was to help my daughter manage her Diabetes, but I don't think she knew too much about it herself. The best doctor for this disease is a doctor who has the disease. My husband had that until his doctor retired.

I'm all for you managing your own disease, but be sure to check in with the doctor for your HBA1C blood test every few months to be certain you are doing a good job.

Chatty, I really know nothing about diabetes medicine so this is just a stab in the dark BUT

Do you know anyone who can read and interpret those chemical formulas in the medicine box inserts, that list the chemicals which are in the drugs? Have this person compare the "bad" ones with the drug you went back to. Maybe there's a certain ingredient or combination that makes you gain weight, which isn't present in the one.

Just a thought.

Meredith, great point. Sometimes it's nothe medicine, but something in it. An example is some people are allergic to all sulfa drugs.

Hey, that would be me!