Spicy Applesauce Christmas Ornaments

We made these last year and they came out great!

3/4 c. cinnamon
1 c. applesauce
1 T. nutmeg
1 T. ground allspice
1 T. ground cloves

Stir together all ingredients. Roll out to 1/4" thick. (Dust counter and rolling pin with cinnamon to prevent sticking) Use little cookie cutters to cut Christmas shapes. Place the shapes on wax paper and poke a hole in the top of each for hanging later. Allow the shapes to air dry for several days (or bake for several hours at 250 degrees) turning often to prevent curling.

Peanut Butter Fudge

I made this for the first time last year and it was the best! Very smooth and creamy, not crumbly like some can be.

3 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter
2/3 c. evaporated milk
1 c. peanut butter
7oz. jar marshmallow creme
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine sugar, butter and evaporated milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes on medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter til melted. Add marshmallow creme and vanilla, stirring until melted. Pour into greased 13x9. Cool at room temperature.

Peppermint Bark

Crushed candy canes, to yield 1 cup
2 lbs. white chocolate
peppermint flavorings, optional

Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4 inch chunks or smaller. Melt chocolate in microwave or double boiler. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate. Add peppermint flavoring, if desired.

Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or wax paper and place in refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces.

Pumpkin Bread

I made these as mini loaves last year and froze them until I was ready to gift them.

3 c. sugar
1 c. oil
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
1 can pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. pumpkin spice
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. flour

Combine sugar, oil, eggs, water and pumpkin. In another bowl mix spices, flour and salt. Add flour mix to sugar mixture and stir together just until moistened.

Grease 3 medium size loaf pans. Spoon in batter and bake at 350 degrees until toothpick comes out clean. Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Old-fashioned Snickerdoodles

1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 2/3 c. flour
2 Tbsp. white sugar with 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix butter and sugar. Add egg and beat til creamy. Add baking powder, salt and flour. Shape dough into walnut size balls. Roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place on greased cookie sheet. Use glass to flatten cookie.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

Egg Yolk Paint

This works great on the sugar cookie's.

1 egg yolk
1/4 tsp. water

Divide the mixture in several small cups. Add a different color food coloring to each. Use new little paint brushes to paint sugar cookies before baking.

Sugar Cookies

1 c. margarine
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Cream butter. Add sugar, gradually, creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Add dry ingredients gradually to creamed mixture.

Chill thoroughly. Roll on floured surface and cut in shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes.

Oreo Balls

These are a big hit!

1 package Oreo's
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 package Almond Bark white chocolate

*I like to use the Almond Bark because it's cheaper and you get more for your money than buying the regular white chocolate and it tastes just as good.

Put Oreo's in food processor, process until very fine. Place crumbs into a bowl and mix with cream cheese. Roll out mixture into marble size balls and place on cookie sheet. Put in refrigerator. When cold, dip in melted white chocolate. Put on wax paper to dry.

Peanut Blossom Cookies

These are my husband's favorite and mine too. They never last long in our house.

1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar, packed firmly
2 eggs
1 c. peanut butter
3 1/2 c. sifted flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 T. milk
1/2 c. sugar (for dipping)
Chocolate stars or Hershey Kisses

Cream together shortening, 1 c. white and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and peanut butter. Add flour, baking soda and salt and stir into creamed mixture. Add milk and mix.

Shape into 1-1 1/2" balls with hands. Dip in 1/2 cup sugar and arrange 2-3" apart on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes. Remove from oven and quickly press a star or Kiss in the center. Bake 5-7 minutes longer.

The Best Gingerbread Men

Let's start off this CIJ the right way with some yummy gingerbread cookies! I've never met a single person who didn't love these, even people who don't normally eat gingerbread.

1 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter
1 c. molasses
1 egg
4 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ginger
3 tsp. cinnamon

In a big bowl, combine butter and sugar with fork until smooth. Add molasses and egg. Combine. In another bowl mix dry ingredients. Slowly add dry ingredients to butter mixture. Stir well.

Shape dough into ball and cover with plastic. Refrigerate 2-4 hours.Sprinkle flour on counter. Roll out to 1/8" thick. Cut gingerbread men and bake at 350 degrees for about 6 minutes.

*I always use red hots to decorate our gingerbread men. If you choose to do the same, make sure you put them in the cutouts before baking.