Christmas cookies and candys

CHOCOLATE COOKIES Yields about 3 dozen Ingredients > 2 egg whites (reserve yolks for another use or discard) 2/3 cup sugar Pinch salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup pecan pieces 1 cup chocolate chips Method > Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover a cookie sheet with foil. With an electric mixer, beat egg whites until frothy; add sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until stiff enough to stand alone. Fold in 1 cup pecan pieces and 1 cup chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoons on foil-covered cookie sheet. Place in oven and turn oven off. Leave until oven is completely cooled, at least 2 hours. Nutritional analysis per cookie > 72 calories, 4 grams fat, 8 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram protein, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 7 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber, 49 percent of calories from fat Bread Pudding Ingredients > 1 quart heavy whipping cream 3 eggs 3½ cups sugar, divided 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring 1 teaspoon almond flavoring 8 large croissants ½ cup chopped pecans (optional) 6 tablespoons butter Method > Mix together whipping cream, eggs and 3 cups sugar. Add vanilla and almond flavorings. Cut croissants crosswise and add to above mixture. Let this sit about 30 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in pecans if desired. Melt butter in oblong pan. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup sugar over this. Add croissant mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Tips to enliven holiday parties Here are some suggestions and great ideas that will enliven this year’s holiday events > • Make a simple centerpiece by filling a basket or copper bowl with small evergreen branches, pine cones, whole oranges and grapefruit, unshelled nuts and cinnamon sticks. Read more about decorating your Christmas table at our Xmas Art de la Table category! • Pull out the slow cooker to help you with the holidays. When serving hot cider at a holiday buffet, pour heated cider into a slow cooker set on low and let the guests help themselves. Read more about cider under our Xmas Festive Wines category! • Freeze small dollops of whipped cream by scooping them onto a foil-lined cookie sheet and freezing until firm. Keep them handy in a resealable plastic freezer bag. Place a dollop on drinks just before serving. • Look for whimsical little appetizer forks and spoons for serving pieces. Or, use serving pieces from the treasured family silver service. Read more at our Xmas Art de la Table category! • For wine-loving guests, here are multipurpose party favors. Write your menu on bottles of wine with a china or dry-erase marker. Set a bottle at each place setting. Not only will your guests be tempted by the menu, they’ll get to take the wine home. Read more at our Xmas Festive Wines category! • For casual get-togethers, dish up portions of chicken and dumplings or crab au gratin into oversize coffee mugs or shallow soup bowls. • Top a torte or cake with sugared fresh cranberries. Brush cranberries with light corn syrup. Sprinkle with sugar; let stand uncovered until you’re ready to add the garnish to the top of the dessert. Read more at our Xmas Festive Recipes category! Homemade candy Homemade candy is a delightful dessert for the buffet table or for gift-giving. This recipe for no-bake peanut butter candy can be cut into squares or formed into bonbons. No-bake peanut butter squares > 11/2 cups powdered sugar 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 12 squares) 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1/2 cup peanut butter 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or white vanilla baking chips (6 ounces) Candy decorations, if desired In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and cracker crumbs. In 1-quart saucepan, heat butter and peanut butter over low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Stir into crumb mixture. Press in ungreased 8-inch square pan. In 1-quart saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat, stirring frequently. Spread over crumb mixture. Immediately sprinkle with candy decorations. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until firm. Cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. To cut diamond shapes, first cut straight parallel lines 1 to 11/2 inches apart down the length of the pan. Second cut diagonal lines 1 to 11/2 inches apart across the straight cuts. Store loosely covered in refrigerator. To make bonbons: Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper or plastic wrap. Instead of pressing crumb mixture into pan, shape it into 1-inch balls. Heat chocolate chips or white vanilla baking chips with 1 tablespoon shortening until melted. Dip the balls into melted chocolate, using tongs, to coat, and place on waxed paper. Decorate with candies if desired. Refrigerate until firm. Look for more information on christmas,christmas recipes,christmas recipies,christmas recipe,christmas cakes,christmas pudding cake,christmas dishes,christmas ideas,christmas dinner,christmas party,recipes christmas,christmas cake recipe,christmas meals,free christmas recipes