Cooking for the Holidays
(Microwave)Old Fashioned Fudge
2 c. sugar
5 Tbsp cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. milk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
3 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Combine sugar, cocoa and salt in a 3 qt mixing bowl. Stir in milk and syrup thoroughly. Add butter. Cover. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Mix well. Microwave uncovered 10-14 minutes. Test by dropping a small amount of mixture in ice water. It should form a soft ball when picked up. Cool. mixture, without stirring, to lukewarm. After 10 minutes dish may be placed in bowl of cool water, if desired. Ad vanilla and nuts. Beat until mixture is thick and creamym starts to lose its shine and hold its shape. Pour quickly into buttered plate or 9x5 or 10x6 dish. If fudge is too thick to spread stir in a few drops of cream or milk.
10 Minute Peanut brittle
1 c sugar
1/2 c light corn syrup
1/8 tsp. salt
1 to 1 1/2 c roasted, salted peanuts
1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp soda
Combine sugar, syrup and salt in 2 qt casserole or mixing bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Stir in peanuts. Microwave 2-5 minutes, stirring after 2 and 4 minutes, until syrup and peanuts are lightly browned. Stir in butter, vanilla and soda until light and foamy. Spread to 1/4 in. thickness on large well-buttered cookie sheet. Makes about 1 pound
Holiday Pretzels
1 Tbsp red coarse decorating sugar
1 Tbsp green coarse decorating sugar
1 Tbsp white coarse decorating sugar
18 ounces chocolate or white chocolate almond bark or chocolate chips, melted
1 10 oz. pkg. large Bavarian Style Pretzels
In a small bowl, combine red, green and white decoating sugars. Melt candy in microwave. Dip pretzels in candy coating. Transfer onto wax paper. Sprinkle pretzels with colored sugar mixture. Store in air-tight bag.
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Peanut Butter Haystacks
1 c (6oz.) butterscotch chips
1/2 c peanut butter
1/2 c salted peanuts
2 c Chow Mein noodles
Place chips and peanut butter in 2 qt casserole Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave 3-5 minutes untill most of chips are shy or soft. Blend well. Stir in peanuts and chow mein noodles with rubber spatula. Drop by forkfuls onto wax paper. Cool until set.
Gold Coins
Ritz Crackers
Peanut butter
6 oz. pkg butterscotch chips
Melt butterscotch chips in microwave. Spread Ritz crackers with peanut butter. Sandwich them together. Dip in melted butterscotch chips. Place on wax paper. Let cool.
Reese's Peanut Butter Candy
Melt together: 1 1/2 sticks margarine
2 c peanut butter
Stir in 1 lb. powedered sugar.
Press into buttered 9 x 13 dish. Melt in microwave, 1 -12 oz pkg. chocolate chips. Spread onver peanut butter mixture. Cool in refrigerator. Cut into small bars.
Ultimate Sugar Cookie
1 1/4 c sugar
1 stick or 1 cup buttered flavored Crisco
2 eggs
1/4 c light corn syrup
1 Tbsp vanilla
3 c all purpose flour plus 4 Tbsp
3/4 tsp baking poweder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
decorations of your choice, colored sugars frosting, etc
Combine sugar and Crisco in large bowl. Beat at medium speed wntil well blended. Ad eggs, syrup, and vanilla. Beat until lightly fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder and soda and salt. Add gradually to creamed mixture. Mix well. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Turn out onto floured wax paper. Cover with another sheet of wax paper and roll out into 1/4" thickness. Cut into shapes of choice. Sprinkle with decorating sugars etc. Bake in 375 oven for 5-9 minutes. Do not over bake. Makes about 3-4 doz. cooki es.
