Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen

Dec 8, 2003 - © Dar Cheek

with their own favorite candy bars. Dave likes Nut-Rageous. Try them with your favorite!

Along with a few pieces of each candy, I also make cookies, brownies, and mini loaves of bread. I just love those new mini loaf pans that are one piece like muffin tins! They're perfect for gifts.

Banana Nut Bread

2 eggs
2 mashed bananas, extra ripe
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup oil
1 tsp hazelnut extract
2 tbsp banana extract
1 1/4 cups self-rising flour
1 tsp nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts

Beat eggs and sugar together until frothy and slowly beat in oil. Stir in bananas, extract and nutmeg. Add flour (1/2 at a time) and stir well. Add nuts, and mix thoroughly. Pour into mini loaf pans, 2/3 full, and bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until nice and brown.

Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies

1 stick butter
1 cup crushed graham crackers
1 6 oz pkg chocolate chips
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can sweetened, condensed milk

Melt butter in a 9" x 13" pan, and then add the remaining ingredients in order and in layers. Bake at 325 degrees F until lightly browned (watch carefully, and be careful to take out before the bottom burns... this will only take about 20 minutes or so, depending on your oven). Cool completely before cutting.

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup pecans
2 tsps almond extract

Bring first 4 ingredients to a rolling boil, and then boil 1 minute longer. Remove from heat, and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well, and drop quickly by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let sit for 15 minutes or until cool before serving.

Brownies

2/3 cup shortening
4 squares unsweetened chocolate
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

On top of stove, over low heat, melt shortening and chocolate. Beat in vanilla and sugar, then quickly beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in flour and salt, and then mix in nuts. Bake in a well greased and floured pan at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into individual servings.

Now, you've got a kitchen full of mini banana breads, cookies, and candies. All you need from here is some

The copyright of the article Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen in Southern Cooking is owned by Dar Cheek. Permission to republish Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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