Christmas Goodies

Christmas Goodies 1 pound white chocolate 1 cup small pretzels, broken into small pieces 1 cup pecans, chopped Melt the chocolate. Stir pretzels and pecans into chocolate and drop by teaspoon onto wax paper.

Sweet Potato Candy

Sweet Potato Candy 1 pound sweet potatoes 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup water Wash and scrub sweet potatoes. Cook in boiling water until soft; let cool, then peel, mash, and pass through a sieve. Set aside. In a saucepan on low heat dissolve the sugar with the water; cover, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to wash down crystals from the sides of the pan. Uncover and continue cooking on medium heat to the firm ball stage (242 degrees F) or until the syrup forms a firm ball that does not flatten when removed from cold water. Add the potatoes to the syrup. Let cook until the mixture resembles a paste. Remove from heat and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until cool. By hand, roll bits of paste into 1 x 3-inch sticks. Place them on a board covered with wax paper and let them dry in a warm, dray place for 24 hours. The following day, brush the candies with Glaze. Dry again. Wrap individual candies in wax paper or plastic wrap. Glaze 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup water Boil sugar with water to the thread stage (234 degrees F). Syrup will spin a 2-inch thread when dropped from a spoon. Remove from heat and apply with a pastry brush to the candies. Makes 32.

Caramel 'O Bars

Caramel 'O Bars 1 bag caramels 1/4 cup water 3/4 cup peanut butter 4 cups Cheerios 1 cup peanuts 1 cup chocolate chips 1 Tbsp. shortening Unwrap caramels and place in medium size bowl. Add 1/4 cup water and 1/2 cup peanut butter. Microwave 3-5 minutes on high, stirring once. Add 4 cup Cheerios, 1 cup peanuts, and stir to mix. Spread into 9x13 inch pan. Let cool. In small bowl mix 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/4 cup peanut butter, and 1 Tbsp. shortening and microwave 2-4 minutes on high. Spread on top of bars.

Brown Butter Cinnamon Rice Krispie Treats

Brown Butter Cinnamon Rice Krispie Treats 8 tablespoons (1 stick, or 4 ounces) unsalted butter 1 10-ounce bag mini-marshmallows heaping 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon 6 cups (6 ounces) Rice Krispies cereal (half of a 12-ounce box) Grease an 8 by 8-inch square pan. Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a large pot. Once melted, whisk constantly til the butter froths and then begins to turn brown and smell nutty. Keep whisking until it is studded with deep caramel brown flecks, then immediately take off the heat (butter goes from brown to burnt very rapidly, so keep close watch). Add the salt and cinnamon, and whisk til incorporated. Add the marshmallows, and stir using a silicone spatula until the marshmallows are melted and the mixture is uniformly smooth. Add the cereal and gently fold in, til evenly distributed. Pour the cereal mixture into the prepped pan, and using a piece of waxed or parchment paper, gently press down into the pan to make an even layer. Allow to cool, then cut with a sharp knife into 16 squares (or whatever shape/size strikes your fancy)

Speedy Little Devils

Speedy Little Devils 1 (18.25 ounce) box devil's food cake mix 1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine, melted 1/2 cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy 1 (7 ounce) jar Marshmallow Creme Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Combine cake mix and margarine in a bowl and blend until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup for topping. Press remaining cake mix mixture into prepared baking pan. Spread peanut butter over cake mixture; spread Marshmallow Creme over peanut butter. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

Garlic Chicken

Garlic Chicken 2 teaspoons crushed garlic 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Warm the garlic and olive oil to blend the flavors. In a separate dish, combine the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip the chicken breasts in the olive oil and garlic mixture, then into the bread crumb mixture. Place in a shallow baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear

S'more Brownies

S'more Brownies 1 (21.5 ounce) package brownie mix 6 graham crackers 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows 8 (1.5 ounce) bars milk chocolate, coarsely chopped Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Spread into a greased 9x13 inch pan. In a medium bowl, break graham crackers into 1 inch pieces and toss with miniature marshmallows and milk chocolate. Set s'more mixture aside. Bake brownies for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove, and sprinkle the s'more goodies evenly over the top. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool before cutting into squares