Can We Talk 2

Christmas Cookies

         Okay, the best part of Christmas is making memories with friends and family. But a really close second is the Christmas cookie. It can't be store bought or from a bakery, no matter how expensive. It has to be home baked, which means pre-made dough that you bake yourself is acceptable.

         My favorite is fruitcake cookies. I've never made them myself, but I know several people who do, and they are my favorite people. This year I made two new recipes. The first is similar to Mexican wedding cookies. I used regular chocolate chips instead of the mini chips called for in the recipe, but that's okay. I did make the balls a little too big. They take longer to bake. They are low in sugar, but not in carbs. I used vegetable shortening, and they do not require eggs or milk, so there is no cholesterol. They are high in fat. Someone sampled one and reported it was good.

         The second new recipe was an accident. I was making tropical island cookies using white chips, coconut and walnuts. I realized as I was putting the last pan in the oven that the bag of chips was unopened on the counter. Without the white chocolate chips, these are not very sweet, but still pretty good.

         I also did some of that packaged dough in the dairy section, but I rolled them in red sugar just to give that Christmas look. Now I have some for gifts, some for guests, and a few to leave out for Santa. I might even leave Santa a glass of egg nog. (I'll sample one first.)