Mix It Up With Jenny
Minutes to Sweet Holiday Treats

Baking together as a family when I was growing up is a cherished holiday memory. My brother, sister and I would make Spritz cookies to give away as gifts- and as I recall we made quite a mess too! Today, this sweet holiday tradition is something my family anticipates eagerly. We enjoy kitchen time together making holiday goodie trays for teachers, neighbors and others who look forward to our sweet gifts.

I like to focus on recipes that look and taste impressive, but don't require much time. These bite-size, easy-to-make treats are "eye candy"- they're tempting on your holiday table, can dress up a last-minute cookie tray, and are melt-in-the-mouth delectable.

Get creative with gift containers for your treats, and let the kids wrap them up and make personalized gift tags: oversized coffee (or soup) mug and saucer, wrapped with colored plastic wrap; unused "take out" containers, or gift-wrap-covered shoeboxes tied with a holiday ribbon; baskets lined with a holiday napkin or festive fabric; and metallic paper-lined holiday tray.

For holiday treats that create sweet holiday memories, visit www.VeryBestBaking.com.

Swirled Around Candy Bites

(Makes 6 1/2 dozen candies)

78 1-inch paper candy cups
1 3/4 cups (11.5-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels, divided
1 2/3 cups (10-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Swirled Milk Chocolate & Peanut Butter Morsels Whole roasted peanuts or pecan pieces (about 1/3 to 1/2 cup needed)

PLACE candy cups on baking sheet.

PLACE 1 cup milk chocolate morsels in small, heavyduty plastic bag. Microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; knead. Microwave at 10- to 20-second intervals, kneading until smooth.

CUT small corner from bag and squeeze bag to pipe chocolate about 1/4-inch deep into about half of the candy cups. Place a peanut (if using Swirled Milk Chocolate & Peanut Butter Morsels) or a pecan (if using Swirled Milk Chocolate & Caramel Morsels) and 5 to 6 Swirled Morsels into the chocolate. Press down slightly. Melt remaining milk chocolate morsels in another plastic bag. Finish filling the remaining paper cups with melted chocolate, nuts and morsels. REFRIGERATE for a few minutes to set chocolate. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

* You may also use 1 2/3 cups (10-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Swirled Milk Chocolate & Caramel Morsels.

NOTE: For another variation, try melting 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels and top with 1 2/3 cups (10-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Swirled Real Semi-Sweet & White Chocolate Morsels. Substitute almond slices for nuts (about 1/4 cup needed).

Nutrition Information per candy bite: 40 calories; 25 calories from fat; 2.5 g total fat; 1.5 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 0 mg sodium; 5 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 4 g sugars; 0 g protein

Sugar Spritz Cookies

(Makes 3 dozen cookies)

1 package (16.5 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Sugar Cookie Bar Dough,
softened Assorted food coloring,
candies and sprinkles (optional)
Cookie press

PREHEAT oven to 325° F.

MIX cookie dough and food coloring in medium bowl. Fill cookie press with dough following manufacturer's directions. Press dough onto baking sheets.* Sprinkle with candies and sprinkles.

BAKE for 8 to 10 minutes or until very light golden brown around edges. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

* If dough becomes too soft, refrigerate for about five minutes or until slightly firm.

Nutrition Information per cookie: 15 calories; 5 calories from fat; <1 g total fat; 0 g saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 10 mg sodium; 2 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 1 g sugars; 0 g protein

Courtesy of Family Features