Christmas Cookies

I went through my recipes this weekend to pick out a few favorites. I'll include some recipes over the next few days. What are your favorites? Post a comment -- I'll put your recipe up also.

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Pralines

1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick)
1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
halved pecans

Cream butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sift together and add flour, baking powder, and salt. Drop by teaspoon onto cookie sheet, and center a pecan half on each cookie. Bake 350F about 10 minutes or until done.

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Meringues

8 egg whites
1/2 tsp cream of tartar (to stabilize egg whites)
2 tsp almond extract
2 2/3 cups sugar

Use a metal or glass bowl, and make sure your bowl and beaters are grease-free before you begin. Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and almond extract until foamy. Add sugar one tablespoon at a time, beating on high until sugar dissolves and meringue forms stiff peaks. The meringue should hold a trench that you cut into it, and if you turn the bowl upside down they won't fall out. Don't overbeat. Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheets (you can line sheet with aluminum foil). Bake 250F about 30 minutes or until golden. Let them cool and dry out if they don't come off the tray easily.

My daughter likes to crunch up candycanes and add these instead of some of the sugar (and eliminate the almond extract). Personally, I think you get a better flavor using peppermint extract instead of almond, and if you like add a little red food coloring.

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No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Line your cookie trays with waxed paper, and get your ingredients ready before you begin, because this recipe moves quickly.

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup (8 tablespoons) cocoa, preferably Dutch-processed (dark)
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp salt

Bring to a boil for 2 1/2 minutes exactly.

1/2 cup butter/margarine (1 stick)
1 tsp vanilla

Add without stirring

3 cups oatmeal, either quick or old-fashioned

Stir in oatmeal.

Drop quickly by teaspoons onto waxed paper-lined cookie sheets. The mixture will cool and harden quickly.

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