Pretzel Hugs (aka) Zebra Nipples

I got this recipe from my friend Jamie's cooking blog: www.cookingforslackers.blogspot.com


1 package of Hershey's Hugs
1 bag of Pretzel Snaps (aka Waffle Pretzels)I found mine at Target
1 bag of M&Ms (You can also use Rolos)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Place Hugs on Pretzels and bake for 10 minutes.

Place M&M's on top and press down but, not too hard because the chocolate will ooze off of the pretzel.

Southern Praline Ice Cream Topping

I made this for all my friends and family as Christmas gifts and let me tell you...This is the best stuff ever! You must make this for yourself and your loved ones. They will thank you for it. I got the recipe from: http://www.skiptomylou.org/?s=Praline&x=23&y=17

1 1/4 cups chopped pecans

7 Tablespoons butter (divided)

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

3 Tablespoons flour

3/4 cup light corn syrup

2/3 cup evaporated milk

Makes 3 cups of sauce.

Place chopped pecans in a microwave dish with 3 Tablespoons butter. Cook for 8 - 10 minutes, stirring twice. Watch the pecans closely to not burn them.

In another microwave safe bowl (I use a glass batter bowl because it has a lip for pouring) place remaining butter and heat until melted. Whisk in brown sugar, flour, and light corn syrup until blended. Cook on high 6-8 minutes, stirring twice, until the sugar is dissolved.

Add in 2/3 cup evaporated milk and the pecans, stir well.
Pour into jars.

Add a tag and bow and you have made some sweet little gifts! Consider packaging with a cool ice cream scoop to make it extra special. Put instructions on the back of the tag to keep sauce refrigerated and to reheat slightly in microwave to pour over ice cream.

Popcorn Jumbles

Directions:

Pop 2 bags of popcorn (un-buttered is best but buttered works fine.)
Pour popcorn out of bag into a big pan.
Melt Vanilla Almond Bark in a glass bowl and pour on top of popcorn. 90 seconds plus 30 more secs.
Place lid on pan.
Shake, Shake Shake until fully coated. You may need to stir around with spoon a little to make sure all the vanilla is incorporated.
Pour out onto wax paper.
Add sprinkles or little candies.
Let Dry.
Break Apart Into Jumbles.
Eat.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

This is my Mother-In-Law's recipe for sugar cookies that I make every year at Christmas time.

3 1/4 Cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoons Salt
1/2 Cup Shortening
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg Unbeatened
1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla
1/2 Cup Sour Cream

Directions:

Sift together flour, soda & salt. Combine butter, sugar, egg & vanilla in mixing bowl. Beat about 2 minutes. Scrape bowl. Add sour cream and half of the flour mixture. Beat for 1 minute. Scrape bowl. Add remaining flour & stir in by hand. Divide dough in half and roll each part on lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Lift to greased cookie sheet with pancake turner. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown.

Cream Cheese & Pecan Stuffed Strawberries

I got this recipe from Paula Deen.
I needed an appetizer to share for a cookie exchange I went to. They are so yummy!

20 whole large strawberries, hulled
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
2/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each strawberry so the berries stand upright. Place berries, cut side down, on a serving platter. Carefully cut the berries into 4 wedges, cutting almost to, but not through, the bottoms with a criss-cross cut. Fan wedges just slightly, taking care not to break them. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until combined but still stiff. Using a teaspoon or pastry bag with decorative tip, fill the strawberries with the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of the stuffed strawberries. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.