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Holiday Foods to Make With Your Kids

© Shawn Price

During the hectic holiday season, take a moment to reflect. What were the things when you were a child that you remember the most during this glorious time? In my family, it's not so much about the toys and gifts, but rather the time spent together, the great food, songs and fellowship, the great food...

Instead of heading to a busy shopping mall this weekend, how about spending some time with the kids and family? (If you have to shop, think about online...it's faster! And you can do it after all the kids are asleep.)

One of our favorite family traditions is baking cookies together. We make a big, delicious mess and end up with boxes and boxes of wonderful cookies. (Although we do lose a few cookies to "quality control.")

Here are some of our family favorites.

*Rum Balls* These are great because you don't even need to bake them.

80 crushed vanilla wafers 2 c. powdered sugar 1 c. chopped pecans 1/4 c. cocoa 1/2 c. rum 1/4 c. light corn syrup 1 container candied cherries (like the kind you put in fruit cake). Cherries sliced in half. granulated sugar

Mix everything except the candied cherries and granulated sugar together. This may take a while, it gets thick. Knead it, if need be. Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll the balls in gradulated sugar and press a cherry half on top. Cover tightly and let them mellow for several days.

*Mexican Teacakes* Little ones love the surprise center in these

1 c. butter 1/2 c. powdered sugar 1 t. vanilla 2 1/4 c. flour 3/4 c. chopped pecans 1/4 t. salt 1/8 t. pepper Powdered sugar 12 vanilla caramels

Mix butter, 1/2 c. powdered sugar, and vanilla until well blended. Add flour, pecans, salt, and pepper. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Cut the caramels into quarters and wrap a dough ball around the caramel. Bake in a 400 deg oven for about 10 minutes. While the cookies are warm, roll in the powdered sugar. (This makes a nice, melted layer) Then roll again in the sugar for a lovely, thick, white coat of sugar.

*Sugar Cookies* Time to break out those cookie cutters!

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar 1 c. butter 1 t. vanilla 1 egg 2 1/2 c. flour 1 t. baking soda 1 t. cream of tartar A goodly supply of frosting or gels. Check your grocery store, there's some new ones around.

Cut together the sugar, butter and vanilla until well blended. Mix in the egg. Gradually add the flour, soda, and cream of tartar. Mix well. Chill for at least 3 hour.

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