Holiday Treats

Evey year I've decided to bake treats for everyone during the holiday as Christmas gifts. To make things easier I tried to use recipes from one source. I picked up a copy of "2011 Better Homes and Gardens Special Interests - Christmas Cookies". I was a little disappointed that I didn't find the magazine's recipe to be that spectacular I would use again (maybe I might try different recipe from the same magazine for next year?). This year, from the magazine, I made:

Cinnamon 'n' Raisin Cookies
Swedish Vanilla-Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies (but I like last year's recipe better that I used)

Then I pick up two recipes from online:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cinnamon-hazelnut-biscotti/
Cinnamon Hazelnut Biscotti (that I liked from last year)

http://www.food.com/recipe/pistachio-biscotti-44360
Pistachio Biscotti (that I liked even better this year)

Then I stick with my family's all time favorite recipe, the Lemon Bar from the "Whimsical Bakehouse Christmas Cookies" book.

Sugar Free Cake

It's really tough making a birthday cake for someone who doesn't eat sugar. However, I managed to make a sugar free cake and sugar free frosting that's good. Another challenge was making the cake look attractive because the frosting was too soft to decorate. Here's the result.

Sugar Free Whipped Cream Frosting

Ingredients:
1 c. milk
1 small box sugar free, instant pudding, any flavor
1 pt. heavy cream

Instructions:
Whisk together pudding and milk. With an electric mixer, add cream and beat until stiff peaks form.

Oatmeal Craisin Cookies

I found this recipe and I made the best Oatmeal cookies I ever had and I don't like Oatmeal cookies in general.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups quick cooking oats
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions

1. Beat butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla for 5 minutes. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture 1 cup at a time.
2. Mix in raisins and craisins.
3. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). These freeze very well.