Gifts That Don’t Last

Ingredients (60 cookies):

• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Icing: food coloring or sugar sprinkles, milk and confectioners sugar- mix milk and sugar until  you get a thin, but not watery consistency- add sparkles or food coloring

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
2. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Always make sure your product is yummy!

Of course our delivery was in terrible weather… it was, after all, the day after the apocalypse, but it cleared up on the way home… each package was delivered, except for the just-in-case-I-forgot-someone one… SO we  ate that one for dessert!

Also in the package:

Peanut Butter “Truffles”

This recipe is adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients (4-5 dozen)

• 2 cups peanut butter
• ½ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups crispy rice cereal
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 12oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, more if you want the coating to be a bit thicker
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions:

Melt peanut butter and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in vanilla. Add rice cereal and powdered sugar and mix well.

Form into 1-inch balls, firmly packed. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm (at least 30 minutes).

Our freezer consists of milk, a turkey, vodka and peanut butter balls…

In a saucepan (or the top of a double broiler), melt the chocolate chips and oil together over very low heat, stirring often.** Using a toothpick, dip each peanut butter ball in the chocolate and place on wax-paper lined cookie sheets.

You want the chocolate to stay in a liquid-state during all the dipping. Keep the heat low and add oil, if needed, during dipping.

Chill until firm. These can be eaten cold or at room temperature.

I was happy that I got to give gifts, and though not something that people will remember years later as it sits on the mantel (Lord, I hope they don’t keep cookies and chocolate on the mantel), I know that the thought and good cheer will spread through out the year. I was pleased about how the treats turned out, and was glad to convey our appreciation for Dave’s wonderful career and all the time they’ve given us with Addie’s birth this year!

I am learning that it’s not about the money you spend or the things you buy, in general, but about the thought and love you put into everything you do (everyday). We are so blessed to have steady employment for Dave, who supports us alone. I wish there was more to give, but what’s better than appreciation and happiness? Coming into the New Year, I know that it’s going to be another success!