| Many of us would love to give hand made | | | | 1 teaspoon baking soda |
| holiday gift baskets. Christmas gifts from | | | | |
| the kitchen are always welcome and Christmas | | | | 1 pound shortening |
| gift baskets, especially home made food gift | | | | |
| baskets, are a real treat. | | | | 2 cups raisins |
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| It's easy to become overwhelmed by the | | | | 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut |
| thought of making your own holiday gift | | | | |
| baskets but with a few easy recipe ideas it | | | | 1 cup chocolate chips |
| is easy to create a personalized and | | | | |
| thoughtful hand made Christmas food gift | | | | 1 cup chopped pecans |
| basket. | | | | |
| | | | In a large bowl, stir together oats, flour, |
| Any of these recipes make a wonderful gift | | | | sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and |
| packaged in a plastic or cellophane bag with | | | | baking soda. With a pastry blender, cut in |
| a colorful bow or in a pretty jelly jar with | | | | shortening until crumbly. |
| a fabric covered lid. Add a hand made card | | | | |
| with the recipe attached to it and your gift | | | | Stir in raisins, coconut, chocolate and |
| is complete. | | | | pecans. This mix can be refrigerated in an |
| | | | airtight container for up to 10 weeks. Makes |
| Herbed Beer Batter Bread Mix | | | | about 5 batches of cookies. |
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| To make the mix you will need: | | | | Recipe to print on attached card: |
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| 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour | | | | Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies |
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| 2 tablespoons sugar | | | | 4 cups Oatmeal Cookie Mix |
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| 2 tablespoons baking powder | | | | 1 egg, lightly beaten |
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| 1 teaspoon salt | | | | 2 tablespoons milk |
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| 1/4 teaspoon each of dried thyme and oregano | | | | 2 teaspoons vanilla |
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| Dash of dried dill | | | | In a bowl, combine the Oatmeal Cookie Mix |
| | | | with egg, milk and vanilla until dough forms. |
| In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, | | | | Shape into 1 1/2" balls and place on greased |
| baking powder, salt oregano, thyme and dill. | | | | baking sheets. Flatten balls with a fork. |
| Pack this mixture into an airtight container | | | | |
| or bag. The mix can be stored at room | | | | Bake in 375ºF oven for 15 to 18 minutes or |
| temperature for up to 1 month. It will make 1 | | | | until golden. Remove to racks and let cool. |
| loaf of bread. | | | | Makes 24 cookies. |
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| Recipe to print on attached card: | | | | Spicy Mulled Cider Mix |
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| For Herbed Beer Bread | | | | To make the mix you will need: |
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| Herbed Beer Bread Mix | | | | 3/4 cup crushed cinnamon sticks |
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| 1 can of beer at room temperature | | | | 3/4 cup chopped dried orange rind |
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| 1 teaspoon butter, melted | | | | 1/3 cup whole allspice |
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| Place the Beer Bread Mix in a large bowl. | | | | 1/4 cup whole cloves |
| With a wooden spoon, stir in beer just until | | | | |
| incorporated. Scrape into greased 8"x4" | | | | Combine all ingredients in a jar. Makes about |
| (1.5L) loaf pan. | | | | 2 cups. |
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| Bake in 375ºF oven for 45 to 50 minutes or | | | | Recipe to print on attached card: |
| until crusty and golden brown. Let stand in | | | | |
| the pan for 5 minutes then remove to rack and | | | | Spicy Mulled Cider |
| brush with melted butter. Makes 1 loaf. | | | | |
| | | | 4 cups apple juice, apple cider, or half |
| Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookie Mix | | | | apple juice and half cranberry juice |
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| To make the mix you will need: | | | | 2 tablespoons Spicy Mulled Cider Mix |
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| 6 cups rolled oats | | | | In saucepan, combine juice and cider mix. |
| | | | Cover and bring to a simmer. Gently simmer |
| 4 cups all-purpose flour | | | | for 20 minutes. Strain into mugs. Makes 4 |
| | | | servings. |
| 3 cups packed brown sugar | | | | |
| | | | Place a few of these gems in a wicker basket, |
| 2 teaspoons cinnamon | | | | Christmas tin or other fun and seasonal |
| | | | container. Fill in the spaces with wrapped |
| 2 teaspoons baking powder | | | | chocolates, holiday napkins or a bottle of |
| | | | wine and you have beautiful and sure to be |
| 1 1/2 teaspoons salt | | | | appreciated holiday gift baskets with that |
| | | | extra personal touch. |