Need recipe to knock their socks off!

[mrscornbread]

I am going to my annual Christmas ornament and dessert exchange on the 12th. I am not a baker for sure, but does anyone have a FOOLPROOF, to die for cookie/dessert recipe I could use?

Signed...Desperate in Pasadena

[lacyj]

Signed...Desperate in Pasadena

Off the subject, but...
is that Pasadena CA?
Are you a California girl?
lacyj

[dz_blonde_girl]

I find a lot of simple, easy recipes on www.pillsbury.com

[mrscornbread]

Thanks Karen...will check it out now!

Yes Lacyj...born and bred Pasadena California girl...are we neighbors?

[dz_blonde_girl]

Not much there. The Sparkle cookies on Betty Crocker.com look real easy and tasty too.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/baking/e...978CDD7898FBC1

Sparkle Cookies: http://www.bettycrocker.com/baking/e...978CDD7898FBC1

[sunshine]

TREE SHAPED BROWNIE TORTE

Brownies
1 (1 lb. 5.5 oz.) pkg brownie mix
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. oil
1 egg

Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 c. margarine or butter, softened
1/2 t. vanilla
1-3 T. milk

Glaze
1/2 c. whipping cream
1 (6 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
chocolate star candies (Brach's is the only ones I can find here)
Red and green M&M's (or generic ones)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, extending foil over edges; grease foil. In large bowl, combine all brownie ingredients; beat 50 strokes by hand. spread batter in greased foil-lined pan.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until set. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool completely. Freeze bownies 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl combine all frosting ingredients, adding enough milk for desired spreading consistency. Set aside.

Using foil, lift brownies from pan; place on cutting board. To cut tree shape from brownies, make 2 cuts, one from each corner of short end to middle of opposite short end. Place two side pieces together on decorative foil-lined serving tray to form shape. Spread with frosting. Top with whole tree shape. Trim if necessary to line up edges.

In small saucepan, bring whipping cream to a b oil. remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips until melted. Let stand until spreadable, about 30 minutes.

spread glaze evenly over sides and top of brownie torte. Immediately top with star candies, starting at base with 2 rows of 6, followed by 2 rows of 5, 2 rows of 4, 2 rows of 3, one row of 2 and 2 rows of 1. arrange M&M's between rows of candies. Maked 18 servings.



PEPPERMINT SWIRL FUDGE

1 (12 oz.) pkg. vanilla milk chips
1 can vanilla frosting
1/2 t. peppermint extract
4 drops red food color
2 T. peppermint candies, crushed

Melt chips in large saucepan over very low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in frosting and peppermint extract. Spread in buttered, foil-lined 8x8-inch pan. Drop food color over fudge. Pull knife through mixture to marble. Sprinkle with crushed candies; press slightly. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. cut into squares. 36 candies

[sunshine]

You can also make the Ritz cracker/peanut butter/chocolate candy.

Just spread peanut butter on Ritz crackers (I use Aldi brand ones) to make a sandwich. Dip in melted almond bark and let dry. YUMMY.

[mrscornbread]

I love the brownie torte, looks like even I can succeed with that one! Thanks Denise