THE MORE THE MERRIER!

Welcome to The More The Merrier Virtual Cookie Swap.

First off, I want to send thanks out to those of you who signed up, and also to all of you who posted the cookie swap icon on your blogs. Secondly, thank you to my son, David, for getting the Peppermint Twist music up and running for me, so please take a moment to enjoy an oldie, but goodie.

Here are your Christmas Cookie (or candy) Swappers:

Miss Punkie Pie
Cranberry Almond Chocolate Bark
Chocolate Covered Oreos
Caramel Peanut Clusters Drizzled with Chocolate
Chocolate Pecan Buttercrunch
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Krispy Balls
Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Layered Fudge
Homemade Hot Cocoa Cones

Kritta22

Dandelion Quilts
Pecan Pie Bars
Kid's Favorite Jumbo 3 Chip cookies
Candy Bar Jumbles

Here are my two favorite cookie recipe books. The first one is called Rose's Christmas Cookies. I've had this book for several years and always refer to it. My favorite recipe from this book is Chocolate-Dipped Melting Moments. They really do melt in your mouth. I think the secret is all the cornstarch that is used. I have made this one so many times that the page falls out of the book every time I open it. Everyone loves this cookie!

Chocolate-Dipped Melting Moments
Batter
1-3/4 Cups All Purpose Flour (dip and sweep method)
1 Cup Cornstarch
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar (lightly spooned into cup)
1 Cup Unsalted Butter (room temp)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Topping
1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
6 Ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate (I use chocolate chips)

Whisk together flour, cornstarch and salt. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture until incorporated. Chill dough for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Take small amounts of dough and roll into a crescent shape or use a small ice cream scoop and form small balls (whatever shape you prefer). Place on parchment lined baking sheet about 1-1/2" apart. Bake 10-15 minutes or until they just begin to brown around bottom edge. Allow to cool on sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to powdered sugar and roll. These cookies are VERY FRAGILE, so be gentle. Melt chocolate and dip one end. Place on waxed paper to set. ENJOY!

I have some of this batter already made up and need to get into the oven - hope to have a photo of them later.

One of my other favorite cookie books is Betty Crocker's Cooky Book, and this is because I grew up making cookies out of this book. It has memories in it. My favorite cookie recipe from it is called Vienese Shortbread. It is a sandwich cookie that shaped from a cookie press and has a mocha filling.

Vienese Shortbread
Batter
1 Cup Unsalted Butter (room temp)
1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Flour (dip and sweep method)
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk together flour and baking powder. In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Mix in vanilla. On low speed, add flour mixture. Press cookies onto parchment lined baking sheet using a cookie press (sometimes I use a pastry bag with a star tip - use whatever works for you). Bake approximately 7-8 minutes or until lightly browned around bottom edges (don't over bake). Transfer to wire rack and cool.

Filling (I double this)
2/3 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (room temp)
1 Teaspoon Powdered Instant Coffee (dissolved in 1 teaspoon boiling water)

Mix until fluffy. Spread on a small amount onto a cookie and sandwich together with another cookie (flat sides together). You could also fill with melted chocolate or your favorite jam (just make sure it's seedless). These taste even better the next day.

And the winner of this fabulous prize is Dandelion Quilts! Congratulations!

S.W.A.K.

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER!
BOP SHOO-OP, A BOP BOP SHOO-OP!

FRONT AND CENTER

Here's a photo of Frannie's class getting ready for their school's annual Halloween parade. Can you guess which one Frannie is? Now, I won't tell you that I love sewing tulle and slinky fabrics, but I do think it was worth the effort. That crown and scepter look especially grand, if I do say so myself! Those two items were a lot of fun to make.

Apart From The Crowd

I think Frannie made a great costume selection. She received quite a few compliments on her costume while out trick or treating on Friday evening. She was very proud!

Now scroll back up and take a look at the first photo. Do you see the paper owl, cat and pumpkin hanging up on the front board? I used the instructions provided in the Martha Stewart Living (October issue) and taught the children how to make these. They did a great job!

Thank you, Sharon of Red Geranium Cottage. Frannie just loves her Halloween purse and all the goodies that were stashed inside. It was such a wonderful surprise! Not only that, do you see the fabric that was used in the center panel? My sister, Ellen, just brought me a yard of that the weekend before your giftie arrived. I just love it! I asked Frannie if I might borrow her purse (yes, I would) and she said I could use it as soon as Halloween was over! Isn't she something! I don't blame her.

Now I want to tell you about something exciting and fun - I was just notified today by The Woolie Ewe that I won their contest. I entered a name for their newest knitter, Woolamina, and I won a $100 gift certificate to their on-line knitting store. I can't wait to shop. They have all kinds of yarns and patterns, so if you're a knitter, go on over and check them out!

Jen, thanks for boo-ing me!

S.W.A.K.

JEN, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!

Before I put this into the mail, I just wanted to show everyone what Jen (who has waited ever so patiently) won in my First Annual Halloween Contest/Giveaway. Jen, this was made with love and I hope it was worth the wait! Enjoy!

S.W.A.K.

P.S. - For anyone else interested, I have several more of these bead-knitted purses made and they're just waiting to go into their frames (in a variety of different colors) - they are even more beautiful in person and make lovely gifts - oh, so feminine, not to mention, one-of-a-kind, and I would doubt that anyone else already has one. I'll be posting them soon - just so you know! E-mail me at CuteStuffInside@hotmail.com if you'd like one created in a specific color - the price will vary depending on the frame.