Anybody back x-mas gifts??

[dani_christine 0]

Back rubs for your co-workers. Exercise for you and no calories for them.

back rubs for your co-workers. no calories for them, and a sexual harassment lawsuit for you.

[Marilyn. 340]

these are yummy too.... one of hubby's favourites...

Decadent one Bowl Brownie Cookies

6 squares semi-sweet chocolate

4 squares unsweetened chocolate

1/3 cup margarine

1-1/4 cups white sugar

3 eggs

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup chopped pecans (optional.... nuts are always optional in my recipes )

Melt chocolate and margarine over hot water or in the microwave on medium for 2 minutes or until margarine is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until blended. Mix in eggs, one at a time, making sure to fully mix in egg before adding another one. Stir in flour and baking powder. Add nuts, if using. (mixture might be thin) Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookies sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 8 to 11 minutes or until set. Do not over bake. Cool 5 minutes; remove to rack. Makes @ 30.

* Cookies have a brownie like texture. Half-dip cooled cookies in melted semi-sweet chocolate or white chocolate, if desired. Chill until set. I like using white chocolate because it is a nice contrast with the brown cookie.

Edited December 8, 2006 by MarilynP

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Back rubs for co-workers mean touching them - there are some I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole

good point. It makes me appreciate the cookies.

[JaJo 1]

I just found an ebook with Christmas recipes. I'll translate some and post them here. The same website has another ebook with recipes that they say will avoid PMS (but I think the guys will like that one better than the girls )

[*julez* 124]

I'm the worst baker in the world so I reply on good people like you to bring me baked goods at work!!

[CarolineM 0]

omg all these sound so good!!

[Sinergy 3]

its a suggestion

you can make your own cocoa mix and put it in a closing jar

3/4 cup powdered milk

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate

Homemade Marshmallows, recipe follows

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Take the bittersweet chocolate and roughly chop it up to give a chunky but consistent size. Mix well with a wooden spoon and then store in a dry airtight container.

Homemade Marshmallows:

1/4 cup powdered gelatin

1 cup cold water

2 cups sugar

2 egg whites

2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted, plus more for dusting pan and marshmallows

Butter, for greasing pan

In a medium sized saucepan soak the gelatin in the water. After the gelatin has softened, approximately 10 minutes, add the regular sugar and then gently dissolve over low heat, approximately 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks and then fold in the sifted confectioners' sugar. While the mixer is on low, slowly poor in the cooled gelatin mixture. Increase the speed and beat until white and thick. The volume should double in size.

Line an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with high sides with foil, grease slightly with butter, and coat with confectioners' sugar. Alternatively, you can use a baking sheet, but the marshmallows will not be as tall. Pour marshmallow mixture in and top with more sifted confectioners' sugar. Leave out overnight or for at least 3 hours to set. The marshmallow should be light and spongy when set.

Loosen marshmallow from edges of tray and invert onto a large cutting board. Peel off foil and use a large knife to cut the marshmallows into cubes. Dredge each piece in confectioners' sugar.

also a yummy drink for christmas a home made flavored vodka

you buy some good vodka not cheap #######

in a large container place peals from 3 oranges and about 4 cups of cranberries, then pour the vodka over that and let sit for a week, then drain at the end of the week and the cranberry orange vodka you put in a bottle (any pretty design you want) and give it as a gift

these are just 2 options im using for my coworkers. i dont want to spend money bc its gone with buying the kids presents and this was a hit with my coworkers before

[Marilyn. 340]

I haven't tried this one before but I am going to give it a try this year... It looks good....

Teddy S-more Bark

2 pkg (16 squares) semi-sweet chocolate

1 cup Teddy Graham cookies

1 cup Mini marshmallows

Microwave chocolate in a microwaveable bowl on medium for 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir until chocolate is completely melted.

Stir in 3/4 cup each of the Teddy Grahams and the marshmallows into the chocolate. Spread chocolate mixture onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Decorate with remaining cookies and marshmallows. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into chunks. Makes about 15 servings (4 1 inch pieces per serving).

[JanaknJanet 1]

Anyone have a good EASY recipes for Bascotti? easier the better...

Would like to make some this year..

also.. for those bakers. here...

Please anyone know .. why when some people make chocolate chip cookies.. they come out fluffy.. and mine ALWAYS come out flat?

Totally broke this year.. so right there with the baking easy things.. and possibly the melting chocolate with yummies for munchies.. gifts..

[CarolineM 0]

Tara - I love the cocoa one. I've seen those at target, only they don't miss them....so it's layered in the jar! totally cute!

[Marilyn. 340]

this is one of my favourites....

Cranberry Hermits

1/3 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon grated orange rind

2 tablespoons orange juice

1- 3/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups dried cranberries

1. In a large bowl, beat butter with brown sugar, beat in egg, corn syrup, vanilla, orange rind and juice, until light and fluffy.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices. Mix into butter mixture. Stir in cranberries.

3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in centre of the oven at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Let cool on pans for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool completely.

4. If desired you can drizzle them with icing, when cooled. Icing : Whisk together 1-3/4 cups icing sugar with 3 tablespoons orange juice. Drizzle over cooled cookies.

*Cookies can be stored in a airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or frozen for up to a month.

Edited December 8, 2006 by MarilynP

[Sinergy 3]

Tara - I love the cocoa one. I've seen those at target, only they don't miss them....so it's layered in the jar! totally cute!

yea i love doing those, i also make cocoa mix jars for my neighbors every year as well with the homemade marshmallows ofcorse

[MaryandMian 1]

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

1 Package of Baker's Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate (Red Box)

1/2 cup peanut butter your preference

1 tub 8 oz Cool Whip or other brand topping thawed

1/4 cup of powered sugar

Microwave chocolate in a large microwave safe bowl HIGH 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stiring after 1 minute and once again after you have completely melted the chocolate.

Stir in peanut butter and mix well. Cool to room temperature and then gently stir in the whipped topping. Refrigerate for one hour.

Scoop cooled mixture with a melon baller or teaspoon and shape into 1 inch balls. Roll them in the sugar mixture. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

Makes 3 dozen or 12 servings if you allot 3 per person.

You can also add this or mix the outside covering to crushed pecans, coconut, crushed cookies or powdered cocoa. Very elegant looking when serving or giving as gifts.

[Sinergy 3]

This thread is makeing me hungry

[Marilyn. 340]

I am trying out this recipe for the first time this year too....

Friendly Spiders

8 ounces (@ 1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon honey

3/4 cup Rice Krispies

3/4 cup coconut

Put chocolate chips and honey in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave until melted. Add Rice Krispies and coconut to mixture. Use hands to form into small balls. Put them on a plate and refrigerate until firm.