MAKE IT CUTE

Wanna make a holiday gift for you BFF? What better way to say happy holidays then with something you baked yourself! Our recipes are foolproof, easy to make and delish! With these yummy prezzies, your BFF will be 4eva grateful. Well, at least her tummy will be! Make sure to ask your rents for permission before you take over the kitchen!

Peanut Butter Pal Cookies
Got a pal who's a total peanut butter lover, but don't wanna bake? We've got the perfect recipe for you!

What you need:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup white corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups peanut butter
• 4 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal
• Saucepan
• Wax paper
• Additional 2 cups peanut butter (either smooth or chunky-you choose!) for frosting

Set oven burner to medium heat. Put the white sugar and the corn syrup in the saucepan. Cook the white sugar and the corn syrup for about one minute. Remove the sugar and syrup mix from heat and mix with the remaining ingredients. Drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Let cool. When completely cool frost cookies with peanut butter Congrats! You've got the perfect present for your peanut butter lovin' pal! Grab an old cookie tin, line with fresh cellophane and decorate with festive cutouts!

Outrageous Oatmeal Cookies
PB not your BFF's thang? Does she order veggies instead of fries when you head out to dinner? Oatmeal cookies will satisfy her sweet tooth AND keep her healthy! Bonus: Instead of the usual raisins you can substitute NUTS to add a lil something nutty to the mix.

What you need

• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup of vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup raisins OR your fave nuts- almonds, walnuts, or peanuts will work
• Measuring cup
• Mixing bowl
• Wooden or large spoon
• Cookie sheet
• Potholder

Preheat the oven to 350. In the mixing bowl, use the spoon to beat together the brown sugar,
shortening and granulated sugar until the mix is creamy. Next, add the egg, water and vanilla, continuing to beat the ingredients well! Then add the combined oats, raisins or nuts, flour, salt and baking soda. Mix everything well! Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of the dough onto the ungreased cookie sheet. Let cookies bake about 11-13 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. When the cookies are finished, use a potholder, take the sheet out of the oven and allow cookies to cool completely before removing them from the sheet. Remember to turn off the oven! Wrap them up in some pretty cellophane, tie with ribbon and gift away!

-Cait Rohan

12/14/2007 2:00:35 PM