Holiday Baking and Treats

Cookie Truffles

If you're looking for holiday treats and baking ideas, here's links to recipes I've published before.  

I'm making many of them again this year, plus some new ones, which I'll be posting soon. They're fairly simple to make, and ever so good.  

Several I've made for over 40 years and are family favorites I used to make with my kids.

http://gooddealmeals.blogspot.com/2011/12/cookie-truffles.html

Microwave Caramel Corn

http://gooddealmeals.blogspot.com/2012/02/microwave-caramel-corn-cracker-jacks.html

Cake Mix Cookies

http://gooddealmeals.blogspot.com/2011/11/cake-mix-cookies.html

Mini Puff Pastry

http://gooddealmeals.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-party-delights.html

This link includes old fashioned Chex Mix, Mini-Puff Pastry, Date Nut Bread, Rosettes/Crullers, Liver Sausage Paste, Clam Dip, and Black Russian Liqueur.




http://gooddealmeals.blogspot.com/2011/12/peanut-butter-pie_15.html

Peanut Butter Pie

Cake Mix Cookies

Watch for cake mix sales or coupons when they're a dollar or less.  These are so fast and easy and freeze well.

Ready to Bake

Cake Mix Cookies
1 box of cake mix with pudding if none, add box of instant pudding
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil or butter
1 cup of whatever you want or have on hand: chocolate or other flavored chips, nuts, M&Ms, crushed candy bits, raisins.  Be creative! If using a white cake mix you may want crushed toffee or butterscotch chips; if chocolate mix, chocolate chips and nuts.  A tsp. of flavored extract can enhance the flavor.  I've used chocolate mix, mint extract, and chocolate chips.

Chocolate Mint

Mix cake mix and baking power, toss in and mix eggs and melted butter or oil, then stir in one cup of  chips or nuts.  Batter will be stiff dough.

Drop by teaspoons on baking sheet and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
Makes 3 or 4 dozen.  Will look underbaked and puffy when done, but let sit for about 10 minutes to set before lifting off.  They'll be crisp on outside and chewy inside.

Ideas:  Spice cake mix, and nuts; lemon cake mix and lemon zest and drizzle with icing.  Many, many possibilities.