Snowball Cookies - Santa's Favorite!

 

 Every Christmas, my sister, Sherry, begs me to make these saying mine are simply the best. Well, she would say that. She's my sis! But I do agree - these are scrumptious. The powdered sugar melts in your mouth followed by the crunchiness of pecans and toasted cookie. The one thing I do a bit different from most is add almond extract. It gives the cookies a yummy sweetness I think you'll like. Once you bake these, be prepared to make more!

Mix thoroughly:

1 C. Soft Butter (or Margarine - I use Parkay.)
½ C. Confectioner's (powdered) Sugar
½ tsp. Vanilla Extract (pure - always use pure - it's worth it!)
½ tsp. Almond Extract (vital!)

Sift together and stir in:

2¼ C. Flour (all purpose)
¼ tsp. Salt

Mix in:

¾ c. Finely Chopped Nuts (I prefer pecans, but walnuts can be used if you prefer.)

Chill dough: Roll into 1" balls.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet. (Cookies do not spread)
Bake until set, but not brown at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
While still warm, roll in powdered sugar.
Roll in powdered sugar again.

(My sister drops them down in a baggie of powdered sugar and eats them straight out of the bag, but shhhh...., don't tell her I told!)

Recipes by Donna: Cocoa-Cola Ham

Okay, I don't even eat ham, but somehow got put in charge of baking the ham a few years ago. It must have been good, because now I'm always in charge of the ham! But I don't mind. Having everyone enjoy it so much makes me happy. This would be good for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any time.

I buy the Reynold's Oven Bags to bake it in. I sprinkle a tablespoon of flour in the bag. Put in the ham. Then I mix up:

1 can Coke (NOT diet). I did use Dr. Pepper one year. That was good, too.
1/4 c. dark brown sugar
1 tbsp. mustard
1 tsp. onion powder 
Pineapple (fresh or canned)

Stir and pour over the ham.This year, I had fresh pineapple in the fridge, so before I closed the bag, I added a bunch of big pieces to the mix, but you can use a can of drained pineapple rings if you don't have fresh on hand. Add a bit, maybe a couple of tablespoons, of the pineapple juice to the Coke, too, if you want.

Cut a few slits in the top of the bag and bake as directed on the Reynold's box. Slice. Serve with my Warm Pineapple Sauce. I'm told it's 'stupid good.' 

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tea Party Recipes

Here's a good recipe for a tea party.

4 c. cubed, cooked chicken
1 c. seedless grapes
1 c. pecan pieces
1/2 c. mayonnaise 
1/4 c. sour cream
2 tbsp. honey
Pepper, to taste

Combine chicken, grapes and pecans in large bowl; set aside. In small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, honey, and pepper in to blend well. Add to chicken mixture. This chicken salad can be served on other types of bread, but for fancy tea parties, it's best served on flaky croissants.

For more tea party recipe ideas, visit:

"Ava's Secret Tea Party" by Donna J. Shepherd, art by Bella Sinclair


Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net