Holiday baking

[skcin]

Anyone here bake cookies? Other holiday treats? I bake lots of Christmas cookies and I LOVE to do it! Weird thing is that I don't bake anything any other time of the year. :shrug:

I like to do marathon sessions & get it all done in a day or two. I took some time off from work last week & during that time we cut down our tree & decorated it, had friends over to exchange gifts, baked a lot, had my parents over for dinner, did some shopping, etc. It was great to have the time to do everything & not stress out about any of it.

So, back to the cookies. :D I baked on 2 separate days, about 6 hours each day. Everything turned out really well until the very end when I accidentally knocked my hand mix over into the bowl of water in the sink. :o Guess who just got a new mixer? :cool: I'm not one for cut-outs, maybe if I had kids I would be. Anyhoo, here's what I did this year:

Ricotta Cheese Cookies:My mom gave me the years ago & I make these every single year without fail. People depend on me to make them, so I usually make a triple batch. They're moist & sweet without being too sweet. One of my favorites.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: A chocolate cookie rolled in nuts, then a mini Reese's cup jammed in the center while they're still warm so it sticks in nice & snug, then topped with a dolop of melted peanut butter chips. Hubby's fave, so I make a double batch. :xoxo:

7 Layer Magic Bars:I got this recipe off www.christmas-cookies.com a couple of years ago & I now make them every year. So easy to make, so freakin GOOD!

Rum Balls: Made with Captain Morgan. Mix, roll & allow to ferment a few days. Delish. :cool:

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies: New one for this year. A chewy chocolate cookie with a marachino cheery pressed into the center. The frosting is chocolate chips, butter-flavored shortening & cherry juice. These are a big hit & will be added to my annual list.

Banana Split Bars: Another annual fave. A mashed banana in the crust & topped with chocolate chips, cherries & marshmallows. Yum.

Snow Covered Mint Chocolate Cookies:Another new one. Soft cookie made with mint-chocolate chips & dusted with powdered sugar. I may make more of these, they are going fast.

Cashew Chocolate Sandwich Cookies:A star-shaped sugar cookie, topped with a filling made up of melted chocolate chips & crushed cashews, topped with another cookie to make a sandwich. Great with coffee, tea or hot cocoa.

Lemon Blossoms: Thumbprint cookie with a twist - they have lemon juice in it. These are really light & fluffy, I filled them with peach & strawberry preserves.

Hungry yet? Anyone else love to bake? Hate it? Any good cookie ideas?

[Beachwood Mac]

I love to bake as well. I usually do two marathons - one for the gang at work and then again for family. Best investment I ever made was my KitchenAid mixer. Kind of like a Stevie or FM song at every concert there are cookies that are required to make an appearance every xmas. I usually make fudgy bon-bons, chocolate covered peanut butter balls (such a pain to roll into shape!), snow covered mint cookies (hard to find the mint chips though), oatmeal cookies with cinnamon chips, and some old family recipes. This year I added a almond chocolate chip cookie that I got the recipe from the food channel (cute young italian girl - can't remember her name). These are real good and will be a big favorite.

Paula - could you send me the recipe for the Ricotta cheese cookies and banana split bars?

Happy Holidays!

Terry

[skcin]

^ Sure, I'll do it when I get home. BTW - I brought in about 6 dz cookies to work yesterday & they were gone in about an hour. Vultures. :laugh:

[dissention]

The only thing I can cook is toffee. And I make lots of it around this time of year. Lots of it. It's ridiculous. I don't even really eat it because it's so rich, so I end up giving it all away.

[Lisa1769]

Damn! You've been a busy girl.

Every year I tell myself I should make lots of goodies and hand them out. I don't listen very well..:laugh: I bookmarked the recipe for the 7 layer magic bars though. Thanks!

[wondergirl9847]

Snow Covered Mint Chocolate Cookies

I love anything mint-flavored!! Could you post your recipe for these?

[GypsySorcerer]

I hate any kind of cooking/baking. But I love to eat baked goods.....does that count? ;) Your cookies sound delish, Paula. I love cherry and mint flavors....and rum balls.

[estranged4life]

battling whatthehelleveritisIhave (Possibly the flu, though the blood work from my ER visit Tuesday didnt show I had the flu) I would try my Mother's recipes, Snowflake Cookies (Made with potato chips...YUM!!!!), The old' tried-and-true Apple-sauce cookies, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Apple Nut Coffee Cake, and especially the Mint Brownies (Melt yer tastebuds right out)!!!

I made sure to have first dibs on Mom's cookbook...Hehehehe!!! I came, I saw and I took that bad mofo!!!!

[jannieC]

I would love the Ricotta Chesse Cookie recipe too! Sounds wonderful.

[pianogirl04]

I would love the Ricotta Chesse Cookie recipe too! Sounds wonderful.

Seconded! Those sound delightful. I can't remember what it is that my mom usually makes... some kind of sour cream cookie I think. I'll have to dig for that recipe, they're fabulous... sweet and a little tart, nothing like sugar cookies except in texture. Mmmm, I'm hungry now.

[amber]

Dear Paula Claus, please send me a tin of your cookies for Christmas. I have been very good.
Thank you,
Amber

[skcin]

I will post the recipes later. :angel:

Amby - I don't know if you've been that good. :cool:

[amber]

I will post the recipes later. :angel:

Amby - I don't know if you've been that good. :cool:

Pbblllllltttt!

[ragandbone]

Yum! Can I come over?:blob2:
Oh wait, Buffalo, NY...Rats!

Did you get one of those swell Kitchen Aid mixers? I covet those. A friend of mine has one, and she is getting an ice cream maker attachment for it.

I bake pies. I just made a berry pie, and it is pretty tasty (I say as I eat most of it by myself)

[skcin]

^ No, I got a crappy little $19.99 Black & Decker (to replace the 8 year old crappy little $9.99 Sunbeam, lol!) Those Kitchenaids are like works of art. I want an orange one. :)

[CreepingDeath]

^ No, I got a crappy little $19.99 Black & Decker (to replace the 8 year old crappy little $9.99 Sunbeam, lol!) Those Kitchenaids are like works of art. I want an orange one. :)

I won a Kitchen Aid mixer at work a couple years ago. It's never even been out of the box; the ugly green color has much to do with it. I'm not putting that monstrosity on my counter.

The next time you're in Vegas, I'll give it to you. :p

[skcin]

I won a Kitchen Aid mixer at work a couple years ago. It's never even been out of the box; the ugly green color has much to do with it. I'm not putting that monstrosity on my counter.

The next time you're in Vegas, I'll give it to you. :p


You're on, baby. :nod:

[ragandbone]

^ No, I got a crappy little $19.99 Black & Decker (to replace the 8 year old crappy little $9.99 Sunbeam, lol!) Those Kitchenaids are like works of art. I want an orange one. :)

Well your list of cookies is proof that one doesn't need a big old kitchen Aid, if you are pro. Whenever I look at food processors and those big mixers, I wonder if they would really be easier and better than knives, spoons, whisks, and a handheld mixer. A friend of mine did make some amazing maza for tamales using the the KitchenAid, but how often do I make tamales?
I have opted to keep my counter mostly empty.

...can't wait for the posting of the recipes!

[GypsySorcerer]

This thread is making me so hungry......espcecially all the mint stuff. Yum! It also reminded me of the potato candy my grandma used to make....it was so sugary, I loved it as a kid. :lol:

[michelle2677]

I.
Don't.
Bake.

[skcin]

That's.
O.
K.


:)

[michelle2677]

That's.
O.
K.


:)

well..it's not that I don't want to. It's just...I'm no GOOD at it...so I just don't do it. Maybe if I tried to put a little effort into it :lol: but I'm the type of person, if I get a recipe and I make it and it turns out well..I make it over and over. One Christmas I seriously make like 12 pumpkin pies. And another year I make over 20 Brownie cakes. We don't do pumpin pie or brownie cakes anymore :lol:

[skcin]

^ Tell you what. Try to do one of the easy one's I'm going to post here in a bit (the 7 Layer Magic Bars are spectacular & they will be a big hit.) Just don't make 5 pans of them. :D

[HomerMcvie]

Believe it or not, I bake apple pies. I have four apple trees, and I always felt so wasteful, throwing away buckets and buckets of apples every year, so I learned how to make pies with em. I've made my own crust from scratch before, but I'm always afraid it won't pass my aunt's approval, so I buy the Pillsbury "roll up" ones, if I'm taking them to a family function.

[skcin]

^ I believe you. :)


I cannot make a pie crust to save my life. It's either too small, too thin, ripped, uneven, mis-shapen... I made a couple of REALLY ugly pies a few years back & I've been scared to try again.

It amazes me that people used to cook everything from scratch all the time not too long ago. Yeah, I know, people had more time & all that. But still, I think it's a little sad that when I cook from scratch it's big deal, like a special occasion. Maybe that's why I enjoy making cookies every year; kind of keeping a tradition alive? That won't stop me from buying Pillsbury pie crusts, of course. :cool:

[skcin]

Here's the platter I'm taking in to work tomorrow. If yesterday was any indication, it will be gone in a matter of minutes. BTW, this dish is about 18" in diameter. I don't f*ck around. :cool:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/skcin/paula/100_1236.jpg

Clockwise from top center:

Lemon Blossom Thumbprints
7 Layer Magic Bars
Ricotta Cheese Cookies
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
Banana Split Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Cashew Chocolate Sandwiches
Snow-Topped Mint Chocolate Cookies
Center - Rum Balls

[skcin]

Lemon Blossom Thumbprints

2 C butter, softened
1 ½ C confectioner’s sugar
¼ C lemon juice from concentrate
4 C flour
Finely chopped nuts (optional)
Assorted jellies/preserves

Cookie sheets
Dough needs to chill 2 hours
Makes approx. 6 dz

Beat butter & sugar together until fluffy. Add lemon juice & beat well. Gradually add flour, mixing well. Chill 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350. Shape dough into 1” balls. Roll in nuts if desired. Place on greased cookie sheets 2” apart. Press thumb into center of each ball. Fill with jelly. Bake 14-16 minutes until lightly browned.

[skcin]

Seven Layer Magic Bars


½ C butter
1&1/2 C graham cracker crumbs
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 C butterscotch chips
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1&1/3 C flaked coconut
1 C chopped pecans


9x13 pan

Preheat oven to 350 (325 for glass pan.) Place butter in pan & melt in the oven; remove. Sprinkle crumbs over butter. Pour condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Top with remaining ingredients in order listed; press down entire mixture firmly with fork. Bake @ 350 until lightly browned. Cool. Chill if desired. Cut into bars.

[skcin]

Ricotta Cheese Cookies

Cookies:
2 sticks of butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
15 oz ricotta cheese
3 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
4 cups flour

Glaze:
powdered sugar
milk
sprinkles

Cookie Sheets
Makes approx 100 cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all cookie ingredients in a large bowl & mix together with your hands until dough sticks together in a big ball – dough will be very sticky! Drop teaspoon-sized clumps of dough onto an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, until bottoms are golden brown. Cool before glazing.
Glaze: Mix enough powdered sugar & milk together to create a glaze. Brush glaze over tops of cookies & immediately top with sprinkles.


Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies


½ C butter
1 C sugar
1 egg
1 ½ tsp vanilla
1 ½ C flour
½ C baking cocoa
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
48 maraschino cherries, drained & blotted dry (reserving juice)

FROSTING:
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ C sweetened condensed milk
3 tsp cherry juice

Cookie sheets
Makes approx 4 dz cookies

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter & sugar together until fluffy. Beat in egg & vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients; add to mixture (will be very firm.)

Shape into 1” balls & place on ungreased cookie sheets. Push a cherry halfway into each ball. Melt chips in condensed milk over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat & add cherry juice; mix well. Spoon about 1 tsp of frosting onto the center of each cookie (it will spread during baking.) Bake @ 350 for 10-12 minutes. Cool on pan 2 minutes, then move to rack to cool completely.




Banana Split Bars

1/3 C butter, softened
1 C sugar
1 egg
1 banana, mashed
½ tsp vanilla
1 ¼ C all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1/3 C chopped nuts
2 C mini marshmallows
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ C maraschino cherries, drained & quartered

9x13 pan

Preheat oven to 350. Beat butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Add egg, banana & vanilla; mix well. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into greased 9x13 pan.

Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with marshmallows, chocolate chips & cherries. Bake another 10-15 minutes. Cool in pan & then cut into bars.

[skcin]

WARNING: These will go. Fast. I always double this recipe:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1 C semisweet chocolate chips
2 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1 C sugar
½ C butter-flavored shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 12/ C + 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
¾ C finely chopped peanuts
36 mini peanut butter cups

DRZZLE:
1 C peanut butter chips

Cookie sheets
Need to unwrap peanut butter cups ahead of time
Makes approx 3 dz cookies

Preheat oven to 350. Combine chocolate chips & squares in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 2 minutes; stir; repeat until smooth. Cool slightly.

Beat together sugar & shortening until well blended & crumbly. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then salt & vanilla. Add chocolate slowly, mixing until well blended. Stir in flour & baking soda & mix well with a spoon. Shape into 1&1/4” balls. Roll in chopped nuts. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet approx 2” apart.

Bake @ 350 until set. Remove from oven & quickly press a peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie. Allow to cool for 2 minutes on pan, then move to wire racks to cool completely.

DRIZZLE: Place peanut butter chips in a heavy Ziploc bag. Seal. Microwave at 50% power for 1 minute. Knead bag, squishing chips. Repeat until chips are melted & smooth. Cut a TINY bit off a bottom corner of the bag. Squeeze out & drizzle over cookies. Allow to set.


Cashew Chocolate Sandwich Cookies


1 C butter, softened
¾ C sugar
2 egg yolks
½ C sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
3 C flour

FILLING:
1 pkg (10 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ C butter
10oz can cashews, finely chopped
Powdered sugar

Cookie sheets
Cookie cutters
Needs to chill 2 hours
Makes approx. 4 dz cookies.

Cream butter & sugar together until fluffy. Add yolks, sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice & mix well. Add flour and mix well. Cover & chill at least 2 hours until easy to handle.

Preheat oven to 350. On a floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8” thickness. Cut with cookie cutter (2” round works well.) Place 1” apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake @ 350 for 11-13 minutes until edges are light brown. Cool on wire rack.

FILLING: Melt chips & butter in pot over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat & stir in nuts. Spread on one cookie, then top with another. Put aside until filling sets; dust with powdered sugar if desired.

[skcin]

Snow-Topped Chocolate Mint Cookies


1 pkg (10 oz) mint chocolate chips
6 Tbsp butter, softened
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ tsp vanilla
1 ½ C flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Powdered sugar

Needs to chill 2 hours
Cookie sheets
Makes approx. 4 dz cookies

Melt 1C chips in microwave (reserve the rest of the chips.) Cool slightly. Cream together butter & sugar until fluffy. One at a time, add eggs, beating well in between. Beat in melted chips & vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder & salt, then gradually stir into mixture. Stir in rest of chips. Chill at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350. Roll dough into 1” balls & roll in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, approx. 2” apart. Bake @ 350 for 10-12 minutes until edges are set & centers are almost set. Cool on pan for 10 minutes, then move to wire racks to cool completely.



Rum Balls

1 box vanilla wafers (will make 3&1/4 C crushed)
1 C confectioner’s sugar
¼ C unsweetend baking cocoa
1&1/2 C chopped nuts
3 Tbsp light corn syrup
½ C rum

No bake
Need airtight container

Crush wafers. Combine with ¾ C of the sugar, cocoa & nuts; mix well. Stir in corn syrup & rum. Shape into 1” balls & roll in the extra confectioner’s sugar. Store in an airtight container for several days to develop flavor (the longer you store them, the stronger they’ll taste!) Roll in sugar again before serving.







OK, enjoy. I hope everything turns out great & I hope I didn't screw up my transcriptions due to the beer I decided to drink tonight for some unknown reason. :shrug: :o :cool:

[Beachwood Mac]

Thanks Paula! The Chocolate Mint Snow Top Cookies are really good. I have been making them for at least 5 or 6 years. Nestle's discontinued the mint chocolate chips and I'm not sure they still make them. I've found substitutes but I wrote Nestle's and they told me to pour the contents of a bag of regular chocolate chips in a zip lock baggie and add 1/4 teaspoon of mint extract. Shake and leave it overnight and they work just as well. Just in case anyone can't find mint chips. These cookies are always a real hit.

For all you chocolate mint fans - there is a also great cookie recipe on the back of the Andes Mint chips. They don't always carry the Andes mint chips at grocery stores but I have found them at Oscos or Walgreens. Damn, I sound like Martha Stewart :lol:

Terry

[skcin]

^ Ooooh, good info! I did finally find the mint chocolate chips, but I had to go to the "better" grocery store. I think they were Hershey's actually.

[wondergirl9847]

Thanks for posting the recipes, Paula!!! I don't like to cook, but occassionally, I'll make stuff. LOL I'll try something on the list for Christmas.

[skcin]

Thanks for posting the recipes, Paula!!! I don't like to cook, but occassionally, I'll make stuff. LOL I'll try something on the list for Christmas.


My suggestions:

If you're lazy: 7 Layer Magic Bars

If you want to do something a bit different: Ricotta Cheese Cookies

If you want all of your cookies to be devoured quickly: Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

If you don't want to bother baking something, or if you or your loved one is a lush: Rum Balls (you can also substitute bourbon instead of rum.)

[Stephanie]

Here's the platter I'm taking in to work tomorrow. If yesterday was any indication, it will be gone in a matter of minutes. BTW, this dish is about 18" in diameter. I don't f*ck around. :cool:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/skcin/paula/100_1236.jpg

Clockwise from top center:

Lemon Blossom Thumbprints
7 Layer Magic Bars
Ricotta Cheese Cookies
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
Banana Split Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Cashew Chocolate Sandwiches
Snow-Topped Mint Chocolate Cookies
Center - Rum Balls
what a beautiful display. You could go pro and sell gift boxes of cookies from home.

[skcin]

what a beautiful display. You could go pro and sell gift boxes of cookies from home.


Thanks. Someone at work asked me if I would bake cookies for her if she payed me. :shocked: Not a bad idea, but I wouldn't have a clue what to charge. Plus, I'm done for this year.

[Kelly]

Paula, you are one cool bitch. These are some hot recipes and I am going to try two of them out this year as my new selection. Still trying to decide which ones..hubby likes peanut butter so def. probably those.
BTW....I usually spend a fortune on ingredients for my cookies...I have kids to buy for too. :rolleyes: Last week Acme had butter onsale buy one, get one free. I got alot of butter! My chocolate topped oatmeal cookies take 12 sticks alone, cause I have to triple the recipe. I like to give out tins to random people like the doorman at my office or the kids crossing guards. Buy a nice tin from the dollar store (shh, they look nice),toss some colored red and green tissue paper in the bottom, fill up with a variety of cookies, throw some Christmas Hershey kisses on top and Voila, a nice little surprise for someone. I love to give at Christmas. It is all about the kids for me. In fact today is our annual family baking day. All the women in the kitchen, the kids decorating. The only thing I hate is the damned cut outs. I do not like rolling pins. I would prefer to cheat and use premade sugar cookie dough. Grandma will not allow that! Paula, I will let ya know which ones we tried today..we all bring one or two new recipes each year.

[DavidMn]

Anyone here bake cookies? Other holiday treats? I bake lots of Christmas cookies and I LOVE to do it! Weird thing is that I don't bake anything any other time of the year. :shrug:

I like to do marathon sessions & get it all done in a day or two. I took some time off from work last week & during that time we cut down our tree & decorated it, had friends over to exchange gifts, baked a lot, had my parents over for dinner, did some shopping, etc. It was great to have the time to do everything & not stress out about any of it.

So, back to the cookies. :D I baked on 2 separate days, about 6 hours each day. Everything turned out really well until the very end when I accidentally knocked my hand mix over into the bowl of water in the sink. :o Guess who just got a new mixer? :cool: I'm not one for cut-outs, maybe if I had kids I would be. Anyhoo, here's what I did this year:

Ricotta Cheese Cookies:My mom gave me the years ago & I make these every single year without fail. People depend on me to make them, so I usually make a triple batch. They're moist & sweet without being too sweet. One of my favorites.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: A chocolate cookie rolled in nuts, then a mini Reese's cup jammed in the center while they're still warm so it sticks in nice & snug, then topped with a dolop of melted peanut butter chips. Hubby's fave, so I make a double batch. :xoxo:

7 Layer Magic Bars:I got this recipe off www.christmas-cookies.com a couple of years ago & I now make them every year. So easy to make, so freakin GOOD!

Rum Balls: Made with Captain Morgan. Mix, roll & allow to ferment a few days. Delish. :cool:

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies: New one for this year. A chewy chocolate cookie with a marachino cheery pressed into the center. The frosting is chocolate chips, butter-flavored shortening & cherry juice. These are a big hit & will be added to my annual list.

Banana Split Bars: Another annual fave. A mashed banana in the crust & topped with chocolate chips, cherries & marshmallows. Yum.

Snow Covered Mint Chocolate Cookies:Another new one. Soft cookie made with mint-chocolate chips & dusted with powdered sugar. I may make more of these, they are going fast.

Cashew Chocolate Sandwich Cookies:A star-shaped sugar cookie, topped with a filling made up of melted chocolate chips & crushed cashews, topped with another cookie to make a sandwich. Great with coffee, tea or hot cocoa.

Lemon Blossoms: Thumbprint cookie with a twist - they have lemon juice in it. These are really light & fluffy, I filled them with peach & strawberry preserves.

Hungry yet? Anyone else love to bake? Hate it? Any good cookie ideas?If I win the powerball, I'm hiring you as my personal chef Paula. Man you never cease to come up with great food ideas.:thumbsup:

[Lisa1769]

I made the 7 layer magic bars yesterday. They are really good, but very rich.:thumbsup:

[diamondsnake]

Everyone make this recipe. Martha Stewart made it on her show the other day. I tried it, and it was so delicious. Absolutely mouth watering. And easy to make! I used natural plain micorwave popcorn instead of popping it on the stove, and it tasted great!

CARAMEL ALMOND POPCORN
MAKES 16 TO 18 CUPS

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for pans
 3/4 cup corn kernels
 2 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
 2 cups almonds, lightly toasted
 2 cups packed light-brown sugar
 1/2 cup light corn syrup
 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
 3/4 teaspoon salt
 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
 
1.   Preheat oven to 250°. Butter 2 baking sheets; set aside.
  
2.   Place corn kernels and oil in large pot, partially covered, over medium heat. Once popping begins, shake pan frequently; when popping slows down, about 3 seconds between pops, remove pan from heat and uncover. Transfer popped corn to a large bowl; add almonds. Set aside.
  
3.   In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup over medium-high heat; stir to dissolve sugar and melt butter. Cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches 255° on a candy thermometer.
  
4.   Remove pan from heat; stir in extracts, salt, and baking soda. Working quickly, pour over popcorn and almonds; toss with wooden spoons while rotating the bowl. When completely coated, divide evenly between prepared baking sheets. Bake, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour and 20 minutes; popcorn will crisp when cooled.

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=recipe2200023&contentGroup=MARTHA&layout=martha

[skcin]

Paula, you are one cool bitch. These are some hot recipes and I am going to try two of them out this year as my new selection. Still trying to decide which ones..hubby likes peanut butter so def. probably those.
BTW....I usually spend a fortune on ingredients for my cookies...I have kids to buy for too. :rolleyes: Last week Acme had butter onsale buy one, get one free. I got alot of butter! My chocolate topped oatmeal cookies take 12 sticks alone, cause I have to triple the recipe. I like to give out tins to random people like the doorman at my office or the kids crossing guards. Buy a nice tin from the dollar store (shh, they look nice),toss some colored red and green tissue paper in the bottom, fill up with a variety of cookies, throw some Christmas Hershey kisses on top and Voila, a nice little surprise for someone. I love to give at Christmas. It is all about the kids for me. In fact today is our annual family baking day. All the women in the kitchen, the kids decorating. The only thing I hate is the damned cut outs. I do not like rolling pins. I would prefer to cheat and use premade sugar cookie dough. Grandma will not allow that! Paula, I will let ya know which ones we tried today..we all bring one or two new recipes each year.


Thanks. :cool:

I spend a bunch of $$$ for ingredients too. I have finally figured out to buy the basics at a small discount grocery store (we have Aldi's here - it's cheap cuz everything's stacked up on shelves & you bag your own groceries) and look out for coupons for other stuff.

How'd your cookies turn out, kel?