GRANDMA NELSON CHRISTMAS COOKIES

GRANDMA NELSON CHRISTMAS COOKIES
I love these cookies and look forward to them around Christmas.  Haven't tried making them myself yet - hopefully I can make them as good as Judi does.  If she puts in the raisins she likes to soak them in water and put in the microwave and heat until they puff up.  Top with almond bark (she does vanilla) and can do sprinkles or cinnamon/sugar mixture.

CREAM TOGETHER:
1# butter or margarine
1/2# brown sugar
2 c white sugar

ADD & BEAT WELL:
4 eggs

ADD:
1# flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups rolled oats
1 - 1 1/2 cup raisins, optional
nuts, optional
chocolate chips, optional (not sure if she ever adds these but it would be good)
1 tsp maple flavoring, optional

Bake at 375 until light brown.

PRETZEL TURTLES

PRETZEL TURTLES
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/12/pretzel-turtles/

Scott saw this recipe on facebook I think and wanted to try them.  I will try anything from The Pioneer Woman :-)  They are easy to make and so tasty.  The kids enjoyed helping me make them.  We made them for Santa 2013 (in addition to the cinnamon rolls Jackson wanted to make).  Would be a fun thing to take to friends/family/neighbors at Christmas time.  Forgot to toast the pecans first.  I did some with milk and some with semi-sweet/dark mixed.  I liked the milk chocolate better which surprised me.  The semi-sweet/dark mix was too rich.  I did some on a cookie sheet with my mat and some on parchment paper.  I liked the parchment paper better because the other ones had the pattern of the mat and turned white on the bottom.  I have heard that if you add some shortening or parafain (sp) wax the chocolate will keep that smooth look. 

UPDATE: These are addicting!!!

Pretzel Turtles

Prep Time:

 5 Minutes

 

Cook Time:

 10 Minutes

 

Difficulty:

 Easy

 

Servings:

 24

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 24 whole Mini-pretzel Twists
• 24 whole Individually Wrapped Caramel Squares, Unwrapped
• 8 ounces, weight Good Quality Milk Chocolate, Melted
• 24 whole Pecan Halves

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Place the pecan halves in a single layer on a baking sheet and put in the oven for 5 to 6 minutes, shaking the pan once halfway through, until they're lightly toasted. Remove them after they're toasted and put them on a plate to cool.

Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the pretzels neatly on the pan, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped caramel. Place the pan into the oven for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the caramels are softened (but definitely not melting.) Remove the pan from the oven.

Gently press a pecan half onto each caramel, just enough for the caramel to fill the pretzel. Set them aside to cool completely.

Meanwhile, melt the chocolate. When the pretzel/caramels are cooled, remove them from the baking sheet. Spoon small dollops (1 1/2 teaspoon helpings) of chocolate all over the baking mat, then lightly drop each pretzel onto the middle of each dollop, making sure they're centered.

Allow them to cool completely before serving (you can hasten this along in the fridge.)

Variation: Spoon a little melted chocolate all over the tops of the turtles to cover the whole thing in chocolate.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE FROSTING

FROSTING FOR GINGERBREAD HOUSES
We have tried different frosting for our graham crackers houses and this is by far my favorite so far.  The frosting didn't harden up very fast but is doable.  It is also taste pretty good.  I 1/2 the batch and it was just perfect for 4 houses.  But we did get out some of pre-packed frosting for cookies that Abagail used at the end.  So next time maybe make 3/4 of it.  This came from Betty Crocker.

UPDATE: Tara uses canned frosting.  She says it hardens up if you don't get the fluffy kind.

Make sure and use the Bosch to mix.

6 cups powdered sugar
1 cup shortening
1/3 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup milk
food coloring - optional

Beat until smooth.  Can add more milk if want it thinner.