Lynni

It seems like every year I go way overboard in the cookie department. I do give a lot of them away, but I also seem to end up with a ton too.

Last year, I made homemade caramel corn and gave it as gifts. I still made cookies too, but fewer. I have to say, I didn't miss them so much. People liked the caramel corn because it was different. A lot of people bake cookies and give them away.

So, this year, I am going to try something new. I am going to scale back in general (as my hips do not need the extra calories) and just make "different" things. Maybe a different cookie, pastry, muffin, candy etc.

So, let's hear them! I want you to dust off those old favorites and post them.

KBtotheBB

I'm making chocolate truffles, but I don't have any recipes yet. I'm going to try several variations beforehand and let my Sunday School class eat the fruits of my labor.

I also plan to make Christy's pumpkin cream cheese muffins and Jenna's oatmeal nut pie to take to parties.

I am also making a couple different cookies for work stuff. I use a coconut cookie recipe from Allrecipes.com that I looooove. Here's the link: Chewy Coconut Cookies - Allrecipes

I'll also be doing a gingerbread cookie using a trusted recipe from allrecipes.com. Gingerbread Cookies I - Allrecipes I don't usually ice my gingerbread cookies, but I might do so this year.

BigNutbrownHare

This year I am making chocolate chip (grandma's recipe), white chocolate chip oatmeal craisin (from the back of the craisin package), hidden kisses cookies (I posted this in recipes), and jam thumbprints (still looking for a good recipe).

My mom doesn't eat chocolate and I don't eat peanut butter in baked goods or nuts in general, so it is hard finding a variety of cookies that work for the whole bunch of us. If anyone has any other suggestions, I am up for some new ones, too.

mommy23ms

I'm making Mexican Wedding Cakes and Martha Washington candy.

MissPitchy

I've done buckeyes (chocolate & PB candies), chocolate covered and embellished pretzels, and fudge. All three were very well-received!

feltc

Last year I did mini pretzels baked with a rolo, then with a pecan pressed on top- so good! I haven't decided on this year yet...

sarasuzy

Christina...I'd be interested in that pretzel/rolo recipe...sounds YUM!

This year I think I'm going to try Christy's truffles, chocolate covered peanut butter balls, and possibly these orange sugar cookie ball things. I have never baked things to give away before, but we have a lot of teachers/sitters/friends who I want to treat this year.

KBtotheBB

I *thought* she had posted a recipe for those, but I hadn't looked for it until your post! I'm super glad you posted about her truffle recipe!

lynnfw1

this year I'm going to try to do gourmet caramel/chocolate covered apples.

This is one of my all-time favorites, Fudgy Bon bons, similar to Ally's hidden kisses:
Pillsbury.com: Fudgy Bonbons

Last year I did the saltine toffee, and oreo-cream cheese balls dipped in white and chocolate candy coating. They were both hits, but I got sick of them both, so looking for something new this year.
Oh, and I've done the mini pretzels baked with a Hershey kiss with an m&m pressed on top. So cute!

feltc

Sara- They're totally easy. Let me see if I can recall the recipe.

Layer a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Place pretzels on the paper. Put a rolo on top of each pretzel in the middle, and put in a warm oven until soft (I think I did maybe 200 degrees for 8 minutes?). As soon as you take them out, press a pecan onto the rolo so it spreads over the pretzel. Allow to cool, and there you have it. This was my neighbor gift last year. I'm not feeling like as much baking for the masses, although I know I'll do some for home, so I'm thinking about giving them all a package of pasta with a pasta recipe attached. Still brainstorming.