Amy's Ginger Snaps

7 1/2 oz (1 2/3 cups) flour

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 lb (1/2 cup) butter -- completely softened at room temperature

3/4 , cup packed dark brown sugar

1 Large egg yolk

3 Tbsp molasses

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and pepper.

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment -- beat the butter and brown sugar on med/low speed until light and fluffy -- about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and molasses and mix until well blended and forms moist pebbles -- 30 to 60 seconds.

Dump the dough onto an unfloured work surface and gently knead until it comes together. Shape into an 8 inch log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm -- about 3 hours.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees. -- line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap the dough and cut dough with a shape knife into slices that are just under 1/4 inch thick -- placing them 1 inch apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes --

Linda's Snickerdoodles

1 18 1/4 oz yellow cake mix

1/3 cup veg. oil

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In bowl, combine cake mix, oil, eggs, vanilla. Stir until well blended. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.

Form dough into 1" balls. roll in cinnamon sugar.

Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 min. until lightly browned.

remove to a cooling rack (or wax paper sprinkled with sugar)

For a new flavor add 1/4 tsp nutmeg or change the flavor of cake mix to white or devil's food.

Charlotte's Almond Cracker Cookies

Ok - you're going to read this and think -- ewww -- I have to tell you -- it tastes just like toffee -- these are amazingly easy and yummy!

1 sleeve club crackers

2 sticks butter

1 pkg Sliced Almonds

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Line cookie sheet with foil -- you must use a Jelly pan roll type cookie sheet with edges on all sides. Place crackers in a single layer on the sheet side to side touching. Sprinkle almonds on all crackers.

Melt butter in saucepan, add sugar and boil 2 minutes. Pour mixture over almonds and crackers.

Bake at 350 degrees for 11 to 14 minutes -- let cool -- break apart

enjoy!

Gina's Caramel Oatmeal Chewy Bars

Caramel Oatmeal Chewy Bars

From a friend of mine -- using it the first time this year

3/4 cups of oats

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter

1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet)

1 cup chopped nuts (optional - or you can add skor bits or dried cranberries or raisins or more chocolate or nothing at all here - doesn't matter they are going to be awesome anyway)

14 oz bag of caramels (yes like Kraft)

1/4 cup of water

Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients. Melt butter and add to dry stuff to make crumb mixture. Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan and pack all but one cup of crumb mixture into the pan. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with nuts and chocolate pieces.

Peel caramels and melt in microwave or on stove with the water. This is fussy. Try to get your kids to help. It takes longer than you think it's going to so this isn't a great recipe to throw together in the last 20 minutes before your guests arrive.

Melt caramel until smooth. Drizzle over chocolate to within 1/4 inch of edge of pan. Sprinkle on remaining crumbs.

Bake 15-18 minutes.

Cool, chill until chocolate is set and then cut into bars.