Turtle Candies

recipe from She Wears Many Hats
4 cups pecan pieces
14 oz caramels (I used the bag of bits, no unwrapping!)
10 oz. chocolate chips coarse
salt for sprinkling 

Preheat oven to 250°F.

Lightly salt pecans and toast on baking sheet for about 25-30 minutes. While pecans are toasting, melt caramels according to package directions. I melted them in the microwave and it was just fine and dandy.

Mix toasted pecans into melted caramels. Slightly cool, so you can handle. Drop tablespoon size rounds onto buttered or lined baking sheet. If mixture begins to harden, reheat for a few seconds at a time in the microwave. Let cool.

Melt chocolate chips according to package directions. Again, the microwave worked like a charm. Top each caramel/pecan drop with about 1 tablespoon of chocolate, and sprinkle with a little bit of salt. Let cool. Store in airtight container. Makes about 4 dozen.

Homemade Eggnog

6 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 quart milk
1/3 pint heavy whipping cream
a pinch of ground nutmeg
a pinch of salt
Butter Schapps to taste 

First, beat your eggs then mix in the vanilla, milk, and salt. In a separate bowl beat your whipping cream until soft peaks form. Then fold it into your egg/milk mixture. Sprinkle with the nutmeg, serve, and feel merry!

Peanut Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 1/4 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt


1 Beat the butter until creamy, 2 minutes. Add the sugars, beat for 2 more minutes. Mix in the peanut butter and egg. Mix together the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the sugar butter mixture.

2 Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

3 Preheat oven to 375°F. Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with a fork. Bake until light brown, 9 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for a minute; transfer to rack to cool completely.
For chewier cookies, bake at 300°F for 15 minutes.

Yield: Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

For Peanut Butter Blossoms

1 Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

2 Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie. Cookie will crack around edges.

3 Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Wassail

1 gallon apple cider
1 quart orange juice
4 sticks cinnamon
1 cup lemon juice
1 quart pineapple juice
12 whole cloves
1 cup sugar
water to finish out 1 1/2 gallon

Mix all ingredients and simmer 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks an cloves. Serve hot.

Colonial Gingerbread

2 cups flour
1 cup molasses
3/4 butter-softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon

In a large bowl mix all ingredients and beat until mixed well. Pour into a 9x9x2 baking pan and bake 350 degrees for one hour. Cool on wire rack and sprinkle with confectioners sugar if desired.

From "Recipes, Remedies & Rumors", Cades Cove Preservation Association Volume 1

Crispy Salted Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookies

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon table salt
14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

6 ounces good-quality white chocolate bar, chopped

1/2 teapoon flaky sea salt (like Maldon or fleur de sel) (for sprinkling on top)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and table salt in a medium bowl.

2. Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Scrape down bowl with rubber spatula, then add egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Scrape down bowl again. Add flour mixture gradually and mix until just incorporated and smooth. Gradually add oats and white chocolate and mix until well incorporated.

3. Divide dough into 24 equal portions, each about 2 tablespoons. Roll between palms into balls, then place on lined baking sheets about 2 1/2 inches apart. Using fingertips, gently press down each ball to about 3/4-inch thickness.

4. Sprinkle a flake or two of sea salt on each cookie

5. Bake until cookies are deep golden brown, about 13 to 16 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack to cool.

Peanut Crunch Balls

2 cups Ghirardelli® Milk Chocolate Chips
2 cups Ghirardelli® Semi-Sweet Chips
1 stick butter, melted
2 cups peanut butter, chunky
1-1/2 cups peanut butter, smooth
3 cups rice krispies
3 cups confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons Karo syrup (clear)
2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
Peanuts, crushed (optional)

In a large bowl, mix melted butter, peanut butter, rice krispies, sugar and karo syrup. Line cookie sheets with wax paper. Scoop and roll into 1” balls and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Melt chocolate in double boiler, adding ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil at a time, until dipping consistency. Dip balls in melted chocolate and place back on wax paper lined cookie sheet and refrigerate until chocolate is set.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Peanut-Crunch-Balls-368129#ixzz1dQ0x9mUS

Honey Crunch Cookies Recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup honey
2 eggs
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup butterscotch chips
4 cups crisp rice cereal

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large , cream butter until light and fluffy.
2. Add honey, a little at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mixture will appear curdled. Gradually add dry ingredients; beat until moistened. Fold in the coconut, chips and cereal. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets.
4. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Yield: about 5 dozen.

Nutritional Analysis: 2 cookies equals 196 calories, 10 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 31 mg cholesterol, 181 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 2 g protein.

Saltine Toffee

35 saltine crackers
1/2 c (1 stick) butter
1/2 c firmly packed light brown sugar
8 (8 squares) semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped (you can also use 8 oz. of chocolate chips)
1 c chopped walnuts or pecans

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper. Place saltines in even rows on lined baking pan.
2. Melt butter and sugar in saucepan over medium heat. Continue cook on medium-high heat until butter is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Bring to boil; boil 3 min. without stirring. Spread evenly over crackers. (Note: this is the only tricky part. A friend advised that if you use a full cup of butter it's much easier to spread but I've stuck to the 1/2 cup measure).
3. Bake for 7 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped chocolate or chips is using and allow to stand about 5 minutes so chocolate can melt.
4. Spread melted chocolate evenly over ingredients in pan; sprinkle with nuts. Cool and break into pieces. Store pieces in refrigerator.

Chocolate Nut Cranberry Clusters

8 oz good quality dark chocolate chips (although i've used nestles semi sweet chocolate chips and they are still very good)
1 c coursley chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds (make sure the pieces are not too small)
1/2 c dried cranberries (craisins) or you can use raisins

1. Line a small baking sheet with waxed paper.
2. Place chocolate chips in a 2 cup pyrex measuring cup and microwave on 50% power for approx 25 seconds - then stir well. Continue doing this until the chocolate chips are almost completely melted - reducing the time as you go. Be careful to not let the chocolate burn.
3. Add the nuts and dried cranberries to the melted chocolate and mix well.
4. Drop tablespoon fulls of the chocolate mixture onto the waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
5. Place in frig for at least 15 minutes. Enjoy.

Oreo Cookie Balls

1-18oz. pkg oreo cookies (regular size, 3 rows of cookies)
1-8oz. pkg cream cheese-block
4 oz white chocolate almond bark

1. Add oreos to food processor and blend until fine.
2. Add cream cheese to oreo crumbs and blend until dough-like.
3. Chill mixture for 15 minutes then roll into bite-size balls. Chill balls for 15 minutes.
4. Melt almond bark in microwave according to package directions. Dip chilled oreo balls in melted chocolate using fork so chocolate can "drip off". Set covered cookie balls onto waxed paper and let set aprox. 30 minutes. If using sprinkles or decorative sugars do so before chocolate sets. I usually do a dozen at a time sprinkling after each dozen.

Make Your Own Bark

Choose a flavor:

Rocky Road
1-1/2 pkg. BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
1/3 cup coarsely chopped HONEY MAID Grahams
1/3 cup chopped PLANTERS Peanuts
1/3 cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows

Pretzel
1-1/2 pkg. BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup chopped pretzels

Peppermint
1-1/2 pkg. BAKER’S White Chocolate
1 cup crushed peppermint candies

1. MIX ingredients.
2. SPREAD onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
3. REFRIGERATE 1 hr. or until firm.
4. BREAK into pieces

Two-Layer Fudge

1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk, divided
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla 1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S White Chocolate

1. MICROWAVE semi-sweet chocolate and 3/4 cup milk in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
2. ADD nuts and vanilla; mix well. Spread onto bottom of foil-lined 8-inch square pan.
3. MICROWAVE white chocolate and remaining milk in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Spread over semi-sweet chocolate layer. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Chocolate-Raspberry Thumbprints

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
4 squares BAKER'S Unsweetened Chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup red raspberry jam

1. HEAT oven to 375°F.
2. MIX flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in cream cheese. Add 1 cup sugar, egg and vanilla; mix well. Stir in flour mixture. Refrigerate 15 min.
3. ROLL dough into 1-inch balls; coat with remaining sugar. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets. Press your thumb into center of each ball; fill each indentation with about 1/4 tsp. jam.
4. BAKE 8 to 10 min. or until lightly browned. Cool 1 min. on baking sheets; transfer to wire racks. Cool completely.

Holiday Jewel Bark

1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/2 cup dried cranberries, divided
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped, divided
1/2 cup PLANTERS Mixed Nuts, chopped, divided

1. MICROWAVE chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until chocolate is melted, stirring after each minute. Add half each of the cranberries, apricots and nuts; mix well.
2. SPREAD onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining fruit and nuts. Refrigerate until firm.
3. BREAK into pieces.

NILLA Tiramisu Cookie Balls

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
60 NILLA Wafers, finely crushed (about 2 cups)
3 Tbsp. MAXWELL HOUSE INTERNATIONAL CAFÉ Café Vienna, divided
2 pkg. (6 squares each)
BAKER’S White Chocolate, melted
2 squares BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

1. MIX cream cheese, cookie crumbs and 1 Tbsp. coffee until well blended.

2. SHAPE into 36 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Mix white chocolate and remaining coffee. Dip balls in white chocolate mixture; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. Drizzle with semi-sweet chocolate.

3. REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.

NILLA Turtle Cookie Balls

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
70 NILLA Wafers, finely crushed (about 2-1/3 cups)
3 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping
1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans
2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

1. MIX first 3 ingredients until well blended.
2. SHAPE into 42 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow, waxed paper-lined pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
3. REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.
4. Gift it: LAYER cookies in ZIPLOC® Holiday containers, wrap with ribbon and top with a bow.