The treats

This are the yummy goodies that we gave out this year to our friends & neighbors. My daughter & I spent a whole day baking. We had a lot of fun together but are both glad to be done.

Cranberry-Walnut Cookies

3/4 C butter, softened
1-1/2 C packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel (never measure this, just shredded until you are tired!)
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
2 eggs
2 t vanilla (I always use vanilla extract, it is much better)
2-1/3 C whole wheat flour
1-1/2 C chopped toasted walnuts*
1-1/2 C dried orange flavored cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, lemon peel, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Stir in walnuts and cranberries.
2. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly brown. Cool on cookie sheets on wire racks for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.

*Note: To toast nuts, spread them in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until nuts are slightly golden brown, stirring once or twice.

Pretzel Turtles

Pretzel snaps (the square ones)

Rolo chocolate Candies

Halved Pecans

Spread pretzels on a rimed baking sheet. Unwrap & place Rolos on top of pretzels. Place baking sheet in oven set on the lowest setting (mine is 150 Degrees) & bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven & press a pecan into each Rolo. Let cool & serve.

Becky's Peppermint Fudge

[ fudge layer ]

3 tsp. butter, softened (yes tsp. ... not Tbsp.)

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

4 c. powdered sugar

6 Tbsp. baking cocoa

1 tsp. milk1 tsp. vanilla extract

[ peppermint layer ]

2 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 c. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. milk

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

1/4 c. crushed peppermint candy (about 10-12 candies)

Line the bottom and sides of a square baking dish with foil. Grease foil with butter; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, cocoa, milk and vanilla. Spread into prepared pan. Chill for an hour until firm. For peppermint layer, beat cream cheese in a small mixing bowl. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, milk and extract. Stir in peppermint candy. Spread evenly over chocolate layer. Chill for an hour or until firm. Using foil, lift fudge from pan. Gently peel off foil and cut into squares. Store in frig for best flavor.