Time To Do Some Baking!
Well, to start off, THANK YOU everyone for pulling for me on the book–I did end up getting it finished. A whopping 443 pages–but I loved every one of them and so did my editor–yay! 
Anyway, I’m actually starting to think about the holidays now that SHE’S NO ANGEL is behind me. I’ve been doing a lot of shopping online, so I’m okay there, but I now am looking forward to diving into another holiday tradition: baking!
I am not a huge fan of cooking most of the time. I mean, I do okay–there are a couple of dishes I make that are extremely good. But on a daily basis, I’m pretty lazy. My hubby is much more creative in the kitchen.
But I really do love making Christmas cookies. I have a whole list I have to repeat every year, some from my childhood, some that I’ve added to my holiday tradition as my kids have grown. I like trying something new every year and there have been a few that have been so fabulous, they “make the cut” for the entire family and get added to the list.
That list is long.
So’s my shopping list.
So’s the number at the bottom of the grocery store receipt when I buy everything on that shopping list! Chocolate’s expensive!
Here are a few that I’ll be tackling with my girls in the upcoming week…(note: that’s all 3 girls…my oldest baby came home from college Thursday night. YAY!)
Pecan Sandies –a holdover from childhood–my Mom always made them and I still love them, simple little vanilla cookies with pecan chunks tossed in powdered sugar. Yum.
Chocolate-Caramel thumbprints–this is one of those recipes I found in a cookbook a few years ago, tried, and the whole family went nuts over! They’re like those jam thumbprints you see everywhere only the cookies are chocolate based and have a melted caramel & cream center, with dark chocolate striped over them. Unbelieivable!
7 Layer bars (easy but so delicious!)
Fantasy Fudge (the kind on the Marshmallow fluff jar. Anything with marshmallow fluff in it has to be good.)
Fruitcake Cookies (I know, everybody hates fruitcake, but these cookies are soooooo good! They don’t taste like the cake, they’re just yummy.)
Rum balls (my 11 year old’s favorite…lol!)
Strawberry cookies (another newer favorite. They never really get eaten, but they’re just so darn pretty on a platter–shaped like strawberries complete with almond stem!)
White Chocolate Raspberry bars — To die for. They have a cream cheese/white chocolate layer, a raspberry layer and dark chocolate smeared over the top. Oh, man.
Rum Cake– my favorite holiday dessert. I follow my Mom’s recipe which is just perfect.
Peanut Butter Balls–a homemade version of Reese’s cups but BETTER.
Almond Rocka–my mother’s top secret recipe. It’s like homemade Heath Bars. I have scars on both hands from making this every year and having 310 degree boiling sugar & butter splatter on my hands. Hard Crack? They should call it 3rd Degree. But it’s worth it. I’d tell you the recipe, but then I’d have to kill you.
Here’s one I gave up on but only under diress: Almond Cookies from the old Betty Crocker cookbook I got as a wedding gift 20 years ago. These cookies were absolutely amazing–everyone who ever tasted them begged for the recipe. Then, when they found out one of the key ingredients is lard, they vowed to never taste one again. I know, I know, lard…might as well just smear it on my ass. But I sometimes dream about those cookies…
There are a few other basics–sugar cookies, gingerbread, etc.–that I’ll make just so the kids can use the cookie cutters, sprinkles and icing. That’s always a fun cookie decorating event.
I am already excited about getting started! Can’t do it too soon or they won’t be fresh for Christmas Eve, which is the first time any of them will get put out. Then they’ll be dragged out day after day through the holidays as we go visiting and have visitors, have game days and movie nights and just enjoy each other for one of my favorite weeks of the year.
Just for fun, I thought we might do a little cookie recipe exchange. If you have one that’s fabulous, post it and we’ll see who else decides to give your special recipe a try!
I’ll offer up the Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints…be warned, they’re addictive.
½ c Butter or margarine, softened
½ cup sugar
2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, melted
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup very finely chopped pecans
16 milk caramels
2 ½ tablespoons whipping cream
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
2 teaspoons shortening
Beat butter at medium speed with mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add melted chocolate and egg yolk, beating until blended. Stir in vanilla.
Combine flour, soda and salt; add to butter mixture, beating well. Cover and chill 1 hour.
Shape dough into 1” balls; roll balls in chopped pecans. Place balls 1” apart on greased cookie sheets. Press thumb gently into center of each ball, leaving an indentation.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until set. Meanwhile, combine caramels and whipping cream on top of a double boiler over simmering water. Cook over medium-low heat, stir constantly until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth.
Remove cookies from oven, cool slightly, then press thumbprint again. Quickly spoon about ¾ teaspoon of caramel mixture into the center of each cookie. Remove cookies to wire rack to cool.
Place chocolate morsels and shortening in a heavy duty, zip-top plastic bag. Seal and microwave on high for 1 to 1 ½ minutes, squeeze bag until chocolate melts. Snip a tiny hole in one corner using scissors. Drizzle chocolate over cooled cookes.
Makes about 2 ½ dozen.
ENJOY!
Leslie- congrats on getting the book done. Only a week left to decorate, shop and bake. LOTS of time!!
I think I will try your recipie out for a covered dish supper we are having at our lodge on Friday. I need something different.:cocktail:
I don’t bake much- I litterally have no counter space to roll cookies out on, and the table is not near the kitchen. So I tend to make toll house cookies- but then eat the dough, so who cares.
Pies on the other hand are my fav. I do all mine from scratch including pumpkin, which we grow.
Tough about the lard- I have a Depression Era cookbook that has been handed down and it has a lot of recipies that you wouldn’t want to tell anyone what is in it, but boy do they love them!!
Comment by ev — December 18, 2006 @ 10:09 am
Leslie,
Congrats on finishing your book
. I am not a holiday baker, but I did promise the kids we could make cookies this year.
So, I am printing out the recipe, but not promising much, since I have never baked for the holidays before. But, since this is the first year my mom and sis are out of state-:cry:–it’s my turn or nothing!
Have a Terrific Monday!
Comment by Debbie — December 18, 2006 @ 10:52 am
Leslie, Thanks for the recipe. I am starting to bake this week, also. My little boys LOVE to decorate cookies (they are so good at it). I am in charge of Christmas cookies this year.
Congrats on the book, btw. I just finished Mark Santori’s story. Let’s just say it was so hot I had to read it under the covers for fear someone would see me blush. Are there any more Santori books out there?
Comment by katie — December 18, 2006 @ 11:27 am
Congrats on getting the book finished!!! I love to bake at Christmas, but don’t really have much room in my kitchen. However, I do end up making about 10 run cakes during the Christmas season as gift. I’m down to 2 for gifts this week and I’ll be finished! Have fun baking with your girls.
Comment by Liza — December 18, 2006 @ 12:27 pm
Yum, cookies! I’m a cookie monster! Thanks for the recipe. We are having a real cold spell, cold for here, & I love to bake cause it tastes good & it helps keep me warm!! I just tried a new cookie recipe over the weekend for Chocolate Oatmeal cookies & they are very good! I also made Lemon Curd for my grandson & daughter. Lemon Curd is so very yummy & the recipe I have is so easy. I’m also going to try a new recipe for Cranberrry Chutney & see how that turns out! I love cooking & baking & the holidays give me an excuse!!!
Congratulations on finishing the book! 
A new book to look forward to–yea! 
Comment by Donna M — December 18, 2006 @ 1:42 pm
that is great, sounds yummy
Comment by kim H — December 18, 2006 @ 1:58 pm
Congratulations on getting your book done……..
Thank you for the recipe, I love caramels so will be trying this recipe out for sure……….
Comment by Cryna — December 18, 2006 @ 2:10 pm
Congrats on the book!
Here’s a cookie recipe for you to try:
Stained Glass Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 rolls (1 ounce each) ring-shaped, fruit flavored hard candies, lightly crushed
Combine butter, granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar and salt in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 mintues. Add flour, egg yolk and vanilla; eat on medium speed until a smooth dough forms. Shape dough into a disk. Wrap well in plastic wrap or wax paper. Chill at least 1 hour or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Roll one-third of the dough at a time on a lightly floured surface to an 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out cookies with a large star-shaped cookie cutter.
Place on prepared baking sheets. Cut out centers of cookies using a small star-shaped cookie cutter.
Place a single crushed candy into each cutout in cookies to fill space completely. Bake until cookies are light golden around edges and candy is melted, 8-10 minutes. Cool cookies completely on baking sheets on wire racks.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Comment by Missy — December 18, 2006 @ 2:23 pm
Hi Leslie,
So glad you have finished “She’s No Angel.”
Wow 443 pages.
As for the cookies I’ll leave that to you until I retire.
I know raw dough is bad for you so I don’t make cookie.
Last time I did the kids had them gone before they could get
cooked.
I’d be thrilled to have a good rum ball recipe if someone
would like to share.
Comment by jeannie — December 18, 2006 @ 3:38 pm
Hi Leslie,
Congratulations of finishing the book.
All the cookies and Candy sound favoloso.
I love making homemade Divinity candy and peanut butter ball,
I also have the same Betty Crocker Cookbook I got 24 years ago.
:doggie::doggie:
Comment by Gigi — December 18, 2006 @ 3:46 pm
I am a cookie lover also! Your recipe sounds fav! I am definitely going to try it.
Here is one you might like. It is my favorite of all time!
BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
1 1/2 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 c. (2 sticks) real butter, softened
1/2 c. firmly packed light brown sugar
1 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 t. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1. Mix together flour, baking soda and cinnamon.
2. Beat together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
3. At low speed, beat in flour mixture until blended. Fold in oats and chocolate chips. Cover with plastic wrap, chill for 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350degrees. Grease 2 baking sheets.
5. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place cookies, 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Flatten each cookie slightly.
6. Bake cookies until lightly browned around edges. 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
TIP: Make dough ahead of time and freeze it. Later use defrosted dough to make homemade cookies in minutes.
Enjoy!
Comment by Michele L. — December 18, 2006 @ 4:19 pm
Congrats on finishing your book.
I make more fudge than cookies. My family has a real sweet tooth.
Comment by Estella — December 18, 2006 @ 4:42 pm
Holy cow. more recipes for me this week. I am doing fudge and chocolate bark (two different kinds), in addition to the premade (but have to bake) sugar cookies.
Comment by katie — December 18, 2006 @ 5:16 pm
Congrats on getting your book done. Not much of a baker, although I did make some fudge( first time) and it turned out good. I got your book Don’t Open til Christmas and it was great. Happy Holidays.
Comment by Stacy S — December 19, 2006 @ 1:02 am
Congratulations on finishing your book!!
These cookies are easy to make and are yummy!
No-Bake Cookie Clusters
1 package (12 ounces) white chocolate chips
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1-1/4 cups crispy rice cereal
1 cup Spanish peanuts
1 cup miniature marshmallows
Line cookie sheets with wax paper. In a large saucepan, melt the white chocolate with the peanut butter over low heat, stirring constantly.
Let the mixture cool slightly then stir in the cereal and peanuts. Fold in the marshmallows.
Drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls onto the wax paper-lined cookie sheets. Let cool until firm. Serve, or refrigerate until ready to serve.
TIP: You can add some fun and color to these by sprinkling on a little flaked coconut, colored sprinkles, or chopped candy bars before allowing to cool.
Comment by Susan — December 19, 2006 @ 10:50 am
Oh, my gosh, what wonderful recipes! I think I must add some ingredients to my shopping list!
Thanks all for the congrats on the book–I actually was quiet yesterday because I had some revisions to do on it. Nothing huge, but a little time consuming.
Comment by Leslie — December 19, 2006 @ 11:27 am
Hey Katie–thanks so much for picking up Don’t Open Till Christmas! I’m glad you “opened” it.
And yes, there are definitely more Santori stories, with more to come. They are, in this order:
Joe’s story “Sheer Delights” in the Behind The Red Doors anthology, 2/03
Luke’s story “There Goes The Groom” in the That’s Amore anthology, 5/05
Mark’s Story, Don’t Open Till Christmas, Hq Blaze, 12/05
Lottie’s story Asking For Trouble, Harlequin Blaze, 10/06
Upcoming:
Nick’s story, a Bad Girls Club Harlequin Blaze coming 9/07
Comment by Leslie — December 19, 2006 @ 11:38 am
Another Santori book, yea! I love those stories Leslie. You have been a busy lady!
Comment by Donna M — December 19, 2006 @ 1:16 pm
First the recipe:
Magic Cookie Bars
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup flaked coconut
6 ounces butterscotch bits
6 ounces chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Melt margarine and put in 13×9 pan. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over margarine. Spread flaked coconut over crumbs. Pour butterscotch bits over coconut. Pour chocolate chips over butterscotch bits. Sprinkle chopped nuts over all. Slowly pour sweetened condensed milk over all. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
I’m so excited about SWAK…of course the others as well but yeah!!!
I would so love to have your Fruit Cake Cookie Recipe.
Comment by Vicki — December 19, 2006 @ 5:42 pm
okay…so now I feel really silly. I read both of the past two days post and then replied to only one of them.
Comment by Vicki — December 19, 2006 @ 5:43 pm