Mrs. Claus' Recipes for the Best Cookies and Candy in the World

Christmas Sugar Cookies     Hard-Setting Sugar Cookie Frosting

Traditional Gingerbread Cookies     Reindeer Antlers    Snickerdoodles

Heavenly Crackers     Easiest-Ever Fudge     Quasi Mounds

Quasi Almond Joys     Easiest-Ever Lemon Drop Cookies

Heart of Christmas Cookies    Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate Cookies!

Fruitcake Tidbits    Jewel's Shortbread Cookies    Jewel's Peanut Butter Cookies

Oatmeal Fudge Cookies   Luscious Caramel Brownies   Snow Logs

Hungarian Kifli    Mexican Pecan Candy   Spiced Pecans

Christmas Sugar Cookies:
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Colored sprinkles, decorations or icing

Cream shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixing bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until light and creamy. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add to creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until well blended. Cover dough and chill 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375°F. Divide dough in two parts, keeping one part chilled while you work with the other part. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a cookie cutter, cut in desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Roll leftover pieces. Bake at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are light brown. (Time will vary with cookie size.)

NOTE: Mrs. Claus prefers adding the colored sugar sprinkles to the cookies immediate after placing them on a rack to cool. They're still warm enough to adhere the sugar but it doesn't mess up the cookie sheet.

Cool slightly, then remove to cooling rack.

Makes: About 3 dozen cookies.
Hard-Setting Sugar Cookie Frosting
  • 1 16-ounce package confectioners' sugar
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 1/3 cup warm water
  • assorted food colorings

With mixer at low, beat confectioners' sugar, meringue powder, and 1/3 cup warm water until mixture is stiff and knife drawn through it leaves a clean-cut path. Don't be surprised if this takes about 7 minutes.

Tint with several drops of food coloring. (The more drops, the deeper the color.) As you are working with this frosting, keep covered with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. For a thinner frosting, you can dilute it slightly with warm water.

Makes about three cups.

Traditional Gingerbread Cookies
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup light molasses
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 cup margarine or butter, cut into chunks
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Hard-Setting Sugar Cookie Frosting

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a saucepan using medium heat, heat sugar, molasses, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, and cloves to boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat, stir in baking soda (mixture will foam up in the pan). Stir in margarine or butter until melted. With fork, stir in egg, then flour.

On floured surface, knead dough until thoroughly mixed. Divide dough in half, wrap half with plastic wrap and set aside.

With floured rolling pin, roll remaining half of dough slightly thinner than 1/4 inch. With floured 3- to 4-inch assorted cookie cutters, cut dough into as many cookies as possible, reserve trimmings.

Place cookies, 1 inch apart, on 2 ungreased large cookie sheets. Reroll trimmings and cut out more cookies.

Bake cookies on 2 oven racks 12 minutes or until edges begin to brown, rotating cookie sheets between upper and lower racks halfway through baking time. Remove cookies to wire racks to cool. Repeat with remaining dough.

When cookies are cool, frost and decorate. Set cookies aside to allow frosting to dry completely, about 1 hour.

If not using right away, store in tightly-covered container.

To make hanging cookies as ornaments, before baking take a toothpick and create a hole the top of the cookie. Then use fishing line after cooled to create hanger.
Reindeer Antlers
  • 1 cup butter or margarine
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup chopped red or green candied cherries
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
  • 1 cup flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat butter and sugar and beat until creamed and fluffy. Add milk and vanilla, mix well. Stir in flour, then cherries and nuts.

Shape into 3 equal rolls. Roll dough in coconut to coat outside. Wrap in waxed paper or clear plastic wrap and chill throughly.

Cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until edges are golden.

Makes about seven dozen cookies. Store in airtight container.

 Snickerdoodles
  • 1/2 cup Butter or Margarine -- softened
  • 1/2 cup Shortening
  • 1 1/2 cups Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla
  • 2 3/4 cups Flour
  • 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Blend in flour, cream of tartar, soda, and salt.

Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls. Mix the 2 Tbsp. sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Remove immediately from baking sheets and cool on wire racks.

Heavenly Crackers

  • 2 Sticks of real butter
  • Saltine crackers
  • 1 bag of milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 bag of butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Line the bottom of a cake pan with saltines.

In microwave, melt butter until its bubbly.

Pour butter over crackers and place in oven. Bake about five minutes.

While cookies are baking, melt butterscotch chips in microwave.

Dip saltines in melted butterscotch chips. Place on rack to allow to drip and set.

Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Dip cooled saltines in the melted chocolates and completely cover. Place on rack to allow to drip and set.

 Easiest-ever Fudge
  • 1 bag of milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cup Marshmallows
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Mix chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave until chips are melted.

Stir in vanilla and mix well.. Stir in marshmallows and nuts if desired.

Pour into a wax paper lined or buttered cake pan. Chill until fudge is set.

Store in an air tight container.
Quasi Mounds
  • 3/4 cup mashed potatoes
  • 16 ounces powdered sugar
  • 1 pound shredded coconut
  • 1/2 tsp. almond extract
  • Chocolate bark

Combine potatoes, powdered sugar (retaining some for rolling,) coconut and extract. Mix well. Roll into balls and refrigerate for one hour.

Melt chocolate bark in microwave or in double boiler. Dip balls into chocolate. Place on rack and allow to dry and set.

Quasi Almond Joys

  • 5 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 14 ounces Premium shredded or flaked coconut
  • 24 ounces milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup whole dry roasted almonds

Blend the condensed milk and vanilla. Add the powdered sugar and stir until smooth. Stir in the coconut.

Pat the mixture firmly into a greased cake pan. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.

In a microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate, stirring often.

Cut chilled mixture into 1x2-inch bars. Place 2 whole almonds on top each bar.

Dip each bar into the melted chocolate, place on rack and allow to set up.
Easiest-Ever Lemon Drop Cookies
  • 1 box of lemon cake mix
  • 1 container of whipped topping
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups of powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix cake mix, whipped topping and egg.

Drop a spoonful into the powdered sugar. Cover completely. Place on cookie sheet, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until lightly browned (about 10 minutes.)

Place on rack and allow to cool.

Heart of Christmas Cookies (Pressed cookies.)
  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup raspberry jam
  • Powdered or confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Finely grind nuts.

Sift together flour and salt and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and mix well. Gradually add ground walnuts and flour mixture, beating until smooth.

Fill cookie press fitted with star shape with dough. Press onto a cookie sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake until golden. Place on cookie rack and allow to cool.

When cooled, sprinkle half the cookies with powdered sugar. Place a dollop of jelly on the tops of the other half of the cookies. Place the powdered tops on top of the jellied bottoms. Place in an airtight container for storage.
Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate Cookies!
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 4 teaspoons instant coffee granules
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In the microwave, melt chopped chocolates and butter. Mix thoroughly and allow to cool.

With electric mixer, mix eggs, sugar, instant coffee and vanilla. Mix in chocolate mixture. Sift in flour, baking powder and salt. Add chocolate chips and nuts and mix.

Line cookie sheets with foil. Drop dough by spoonful onto foil. Bake approximately 10-12 minutes. Cool on cookie rack and store in airtight container.

Fruitcake Tidbits
  • 6 TBL butter-flavor shortening (Crisco)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/3 cup pitted prunes, chopped
  • 1/3 cup red candied cherries, chopped
  • 1/3 cup green candied cherries, chopped
  • 1 3.5-ounce container diced candied orange peel (about 1/2 cup), chopped
  • Red and green candied cherries for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Grease four mini-muffin pans. (Total: 24)

Beat shortening, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined. Add flour, milk, vanilla extract, and eggs; mix well. Stir in pecans, prunes, red candied cherries, green candied cherries, and candied orange peel.

Spoon into mini-muffin pans. Garnish with candied cherries.

Bake about 10-12  minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes back clean.

Allow to cool for ten minutes before removing from pans. Place on rack to continue cooling. Store in airtight container.
JEWEL'S SHORTBREAD COOKIES ©1997
  • 3/4 cup of butter - softened
  • 1/2 cup of sugar
  • 1 tbls. Vanilla
  • 2 cups sifted flour - not self rising
  • 2 - 3 tbls. of half-and-half cream

Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add half-and-half to creamed ingredients then sifted flour until mixed into soft dough. If dough is crumbly add a little more half-and-half (you don't want sticky dough, more like bread or piecrust dough) If you like sweeter cookies you can add more sugar to taste and then a little flour for right consistency.

Chill for at least an hour. Work up into small balls for each cookie, roll the ball in sugar and then press down criss-cross with fork dipped in sugar onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 350 or until set. Do not brown, they come out white with lightly tanned bottoms. Makes 2 1/2 dozen could be less if you make the balls bigger than medium size.

Note: You can add cinnamon to the sugar if you like the flavor or might want to try a dash of almond extract in the dough for a slight cherry flavor.

Courtesy of Jewel Brennan, author of four terrific time travels. (Visit Jewel's author site by clicking here.)

JEWEL'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES ©1997

  • 2 tbl sp. Vanilla
  • 1/2 cup butter - softened
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup peanut butter - creamy style
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups flour (not self-rising) Add to flour: 1/4 tsp @ baking soda and salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder

Cream all ingredients together, but the flour, until smooth. Add flour and be sure to blend in well. Chill for one hour

Form into small balls, roll in sugar and then criss-cross press with fork dipped in sugar to keep from sticking to dough.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes until set, comes out light brown.

2 to 3 dozen depending on the size of balls you make.

Courtesy of Jewel Brennan, author of four terrific time travels. (Visit Jewel's author site by clicking here.)
Oatmeal Fudge Cookies
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 milk
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1 Tsp. vanilla
  • 3 T. cocoa
  • 3 cups quick cooking oats

Mix granulated sugar, butter and milk in a pan. Put over medium heat; bring to full boil; boil one minute. Remove from heat; add peanut butter, vanilla and cocoa. Stir well until peanut butter is melted. Add rolled oats and blend thoroughly. Pour into buttered 8 or 9" pan. Cool; cut into squares.

Can also be dropped by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Courtesy of Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, author of "A Time to Dance." Visit her website by clicking here.

 My Luscious Caramel Brownies
  • 1 package devil's food or chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • 1/2 cup (equiv. to one stick) butter, melted
  • 1 cup evaporated milk, divided in measurements of 2/3 cup and 1/3 cup
  • 35 light caramels, unwrapped
  • 1 cup semi sweet chocolate morsels

Combine cake mix and nuts in large bowl. Stir in butter. Stir in 2/3 cup of evap. milk. Batter will be thick and yummy! Spread half the batter into greased 13x9 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Combine caramels and remaining evaporated milk in small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes until caramels are thoroughly melted.

Sprinkle morsels over baked layer. Pour caramel mixture over top. Drop remaining batter by heaping teaspoons over caramel mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 --- top layer will be soft when you remove pan from oven. Cool in pan.

Courtesy of Michelle Lee, author of "Jonah's Way." Visit her website by clicking here.
Snow Logs
  • One box of Vanilla wafers, crushed;
  • one box of golden raisins;
  • one bottle green Maraschino cherries;
  • one bottle of red Maraschino cherries;
  • one large bag of flaked coconut;
  • one small container of citron, chopped;
  • one large bag of gumdrops, chopped;
  • one small container of nonpariels;
  • 6 small bags of chopped nuts (2 ea: pecans, walnuts, almonds,)
  • two cans of Eagle Brand Milk (NOT evaporated!);
  • box of Confectionary sugar.

Mix all ingredients except Confectionary sugar and roll into small 6" longs, 3" round. Dredge in over Confectionary sugar and refrigerate.

Courtesy of Charlee Cömpo, author of "Windfall." Visit Charlee's site by clicking here.

 Hungarian Kifli

Place 3 cups all-purpose flour in large bowl. Work into flour 1 cup butter, chilled and cut in pieces, using pastry cutter or fork. Add gradually 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten; 1 1/2 tbsp. cream; and 2 tsp. grated lemon peel.

Mixture will be crumbly. Gather dough into a ball. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Working with hands, squeeze dough until well blended.

With palms of hands, shape dough into smooth roll. Slice into 48 pieces. (If dough is too soft and sticky to handle, chill for a short time.) Shape pieces into balls.

Lightly sprinkle a small area of working surface with confectioners' sugar. Roll one ball at a time into a circle about 1/16 inch thick. Spread dough with 2 teaspoons of Solo fruit filling in your choice of flavor. (Or use several different flavors and make assorted cookies.) Gently lifting nearest edge, roll; shape into crescent by curving ends of roll slightly.

Place crescent onto cookie sheet lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, with overlapping edge underneath. Brush crescents with slightly beaten egg. Bake at 375 degrees 15 to 20 minutes; remove to cooling racks. Just before serving, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Courtesy of Elizabeth Delisi, author of "Since All Is Passing." Visit Elizabeth's website by clicking here.
MEXICAN PECAN CANDY
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 Tbl butter or margarine
  • 1-1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1-1/2 cups pecan halves

Put sugar, milk, and soda in a large sauce pan. Bring to rolling boil and cook to soft ball, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add butter, vanilla and pecans. Beat until creamy and drop by spoonsful onto waxed paper over which salt has been sprinkled.

For more crispy (rather than creamy) candy, beat less.

Courtesy of Rickey Mallory,

SPICED PECANS
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 pound pecans, chopped or halves (I prefer halves when I can get them)

Boil sugar, water and spices until syrup spins a thread as it drops from a spoon. Add pecans to this syrup. Stir rapidly and continuously until nuts appear dry. Spread on waxed paper, separate with fork/spoon/fingers (don't burn yourself!) and allow to cool.

Walnuts or blanched almonds are also good. Experiment with spices and come up with your own favorite variation.

Courtesy of Rickey Mallory,

Order your favorite DiskUs Book here!

© All Rights Reserved DiskUs Publishing™