That' s The Fastest Turtle I've Ever Seen!

My grandmother has started to do her holiday baking this week she is making her date nut breads, next week it will either be the pizzelles, sesame cookies or some type of candy. My grandmother has to pace herself with her baking these days because she tires more quickly than she use to but still loves it because it keeps her busy.
I think for most of us this time of year can be quite tiring given the quantity of baking, cooking and candy making most of us will be doing. Probably with the economy the way it is it would be in all our best interests to give more gifts from the kitchen.
So over the next few weeks, I thought I would sneak in some really fun, quick and inexpensive holiday treat recipes that you can make a lot of with the least amount of effort and that have a pretty good shelf life. So even if you start making or baking now they’ll still be fresh for the serving, eating and gift giving later.

Easy Turtles Candies

What you will need:


1 bag of Rolo candies
1 bag of Snyder's of Hanover square shaped butter pretzels 1 bag of pecan halves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

1. Unwrap Rolo candies and place in bowl for later.
2. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
3. Lay down the pretzels onto the cookie sheet. You can get approx. 50-60 to a cookie sheet.
4. Set a Rolo on each pretzel.
5. Place in oven to soften Rolo’s, approximately 3 minutes. Check occasionally, do not let them melt.
6. Take out of oven.
7. Push a pecan half on top of each Rolo
8. Set in a cool area or fridge to harden.
9. Remove from wax paper and store in bag or container, they stay at their best when kept cold.

Let's Tie The Knot !

Isn’t it sad that we wait for the holidays to enjoy some of our favorite foods? I always loved thanksgiving dinner and couldn’t wait for that one day a year to have it. As I got older I started making turkey and stuffing throughout the year, it’s just a great meal. The same thing with Christmas, I love all the special foods that are served but I especially love some of the Italian Cookie recipes that only seem to show up at Christmas time. Well enough of that, I want some of those cookies now, so what if it is too hot to use the oven that is why there is air conditioning. This way we can stay cool while making cookies.
Italian Knot Cookies

1-8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons of vanilla
5 teaspoons of baking powder
5 cups of flour

Icing:
2 cups Powdered sugar
3 to 4 Tablespoons of water or milk
1/2 Teaspoon anisette extract (or whatever flavoring you prefer)
(You are looking for a consistency a little thicker than heavy cream)
food coloring, if desired
sprinkles

Sift flour and baking powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine cream cheese and butter with mixer. Add sugar and beat until smooth and creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and continue beating until fluffy. Add flour mixture. You will have to stir by hand at the end because it will be too stiff to beat with the mixer.
Form dough into a large ball and let set for a few minutes. If dough is too soft, you can add more flour, a little at a time. Shape small pieces of dough into knot shape by rolling between hands into a rope and twisting into knot shape.
Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350°F until lightly browned on bottom.

Will make anywhere between 1 to 3 dozen depending on how big or small you make the knots.

DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cookies will not be brown on top when done, only the bottom.
Cool on wire racks and dip into icing. Dust with sprinkles. Let dry on sheets of waxed paper.