Edible Christmas Gifts

If you're looking for a little gift to give to family, friends and neighbors for the holidays, here are some recipes for treats that you can make in bulk, package in festive bags, tins or other containers and hand deliver (all in early December so you won't be stressing over it closer to Christmas!).

*SHORTBREAD (**with Hershey's Kisses) - I have wonderful memories of my mom making these every Christmas. They're my dad's favorite!

1 1/2 c. butter, softened

1 c. sugar

1 c. rice flour

2 1/4 c. unbleached flour

Cream softened butter with sugar. Sift rice flour into mixture and stir well. Gradually add remaining flour, stirring until dough no longer sticks. Knead with hands and spread on greased cookie sheet, flattening dough until it is about 1/2" thick. Prick with fork tines for decoration and bake at 325 degrees until golden (about 20-30 minutes). Cool on pan for five minutes and cut into small squares. If adding Hershey's kisses, stick on top of squares before cooling.

**Optional, but highly recommended.

*CHEX MIX - My grandmother makes this between Thanksgiving and Christmas and our family devours it so quickly that she ends up having to make several extra batches each year!

6 oz. pretzels

1 lb. of mixed nuts

1 small package rice cereal

1 small package wheat cereal

1 small package corn cereal

1 small package oat cereal

(We use Rice, Wheat and Corn Chex and Cheerios)

1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks)

1/4 cup Worchestershire

1 t. garlic powder

1 T. onion salt

1 T. celery salt

Bake at 225 degrees, uncovered. Stir thoroughly every 30 minutes until crisp.

*CAKE BALLS - Paula Deen's recipe for this bite-sized (or maybe a couple of bites) treat will look beautiful and taste even better!

http://www.smithfield.com/recipes/recipe/paulas-cake-balls

*LACY COOKIE CRISPS - These delicate cookies will be the perfect complement to your favorite cup of coffee or tea!

3/4 c. butter

3/4 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. light molasses

2 t. ground ginger

1 1/2 t. vanilla or bourbon

1 1/2 c. sifted unbleached flour

Heat butter, sugar, molasses, and ginger in a heavy saucepan until butter melts, stirring to blend. Remove from heat and stir in flavoring and flour. Drop one tablespoon of dough on greased cookie sheet, allowing room for spreading to 3" cookie. Bake about 4 cookies at a time at 300 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cookies will bubble and become lacy in texture. Remove from oven and cool for 2 minutes. Lift off cookie sheet with spatula, quickly rolling around the handle of a wooden spoon, before cookies become crisp. Cool on rack and store in airtight container.

*SAUSAGE-CHEESE BALLS - These are easy to make and are great for hors d'oeuvres, but can certainly be enjoyed throughout the day!

1 lb. sharp cheddar

1 lb. hot sausage

3 cups Bisquick

Mix well and shape into small balls. Bake at 350 degrees until well-browned.