Peanuts, Pecans and Fun, Oh My... You don't want to miss this display!

Every mid-December is a time I look forward to each year. My friend, Kim, her mom Betty, Grandma "B" and Aunt Robin and myself (most years) get together and have made goodie plates to pass out to friends and neighbors to spread a little holiday cheer! Now let me just mention here a little known fact, I am in no way a baker, I love to cook but desserts are not my specialty! However, these girls certainly have a 'gene' that is deep within their bones! I have never tasted one thing made in their kitchens that isn't to die for! I don't know how they do it, I can take the exact same recipe and it just doesn't seem to have the same appeal. These women are masters, so it's a no brainer why I would want to show up for 'Christmas Cookie Day'.

The holiday music was going, the ovens were cranked up, the blenders were blending. Dancing and jiving going on, we even saw a Great Grandma doing the splits (check out the banner) ~ you go Great Grandma Betty! There was a spirit that would get even this 'scrooge' in the mood for Christmas. Indeed it did!

Kim, Betty, Grandma 'B' and Robin, thank you for giving me yet another wonderful day to remember! The spirit of Christmas is deep in your hearts not only this time of year, but through every day of the year. I am honored to be your friend and honored to be able to spend and make memories like yesterday. Merry Christmas to you all and yours.

For those that love holiday treats & cookies I will share by way of photos and recipes with you. May you find the time to make memories with your friends, families and those who need to experience the spirit of love. Remember those that perhaps don't have family this year with them, encourage them to share the holiday spirit in your home, invite them to attend church services or your holiday parties. One gesture to include someone can make a memory of a life time. Happy Holidays to you and Thank You for sharing my day with me.

12 eggs
2 lb brown sugar
4 C white sugar
1 T vanilla
1 T syrup
8 t. soda

1 lb butter
3 lb. peanut butter
18 C oatmeal
1 lb chocolate chips
1 lb M&M candies

Crust:
1 ¼ C butter
   ¾ C sugar
2 T cream (or milk)
2 egg yolks
3 ½ C flour

from the kitchen of Kim

Filling:
1/2 C butter
1 C brown sugar
1/4 C sugar
1/3 C honey
1 T vanilla
1/8 C cream (or milk) = 2T
2 ¾ C pecan pieces, lightly toasted (bake @ 350º for 10 minutes)
 

To make crust: Lightly grease a 10x15 sheet pan; set aside.  Using an electric mixer, cream together butter & sugar in large bowl until smooth.  Add 2 T. cream and egg yolks, mixing until smooth.  Slowly add flour.  Do not over mix.  Press into sheet pan and bake 8-10 minutes until barely golden.  Let cool. 

To make filling:  In medium sauce pan melt together butter, brown sugar, sugar & honey.  Bring to a boil & boil 3 minutes.  Stir in vanilla & cream and remove from heat.  Stir in pecans and pour onto cookie shell; spread.  Bake at 325º for 20-25 minutes until bubbling on top.  Cool and cut into 1 1/2 squares. Makes about 60 squares.

3 packages Yeast
1/2 C warm water

dissolve yeast & set aside

3 C warm water
1 C oil
1 C sugar
3 eggs
2 C flour

from the kitchen of Sandy

Frosting:
1/2 C butter
4 - 5 C power sugar
canned milk
1 Tsp vanilla

Frost rolls while hot
 

3 C sugar
1 C White Karo Syrup
1 C water

Combine in large sauce/skillet pan.  Cook until you have threads or hairs. Add peanuts.

2 C raw peanuts

Cook until light amber color

1 T butter
1 T vanilla
2 T baking soda

from the kitchen of Bea

Remember to stir in the baking soda good and hten spread as thin as you can on foil paper.

Grandma 'B' puts it on her counter using newspaper then covered with foil.  Flute the foil on edges and pour mixture onto foil.

Cool down, break apart and layer on plates or dishes
 

We also took microwave popcorn and covered with melted white chocolate and spread it out on wax paper and let cool. After it cools down, break apart and place in decorative jars or tins and sprinkle the holiday M&M's and tie up with ribbons!

Another treat we tested, we took ritz crackers and spread peanut butter between two crackers and dipped them in chocolate and let cool. Once they cooled down we drizzled white chocolate over them and layered those on a plate too!