Holiday baking

The writing has been put aside until the new year as I prepare for the madness of the holidays. And I do mean MADNESS...
This weekend I have a Christmas dinner on the town with the mom-friends, the Toronto Romance Writers Christmas party and my oldest son's birthday (and party!) -- soooooo, when it comes to my baking, I stick to the four letter rule: E. A. S. Y.

Here are two quick recipes that will ensure an empty plate:

Toffee Squares

In a large mixing bowl, cream until light and fluffy:
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla
Then add:
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
Mix well. Press into a square pan and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Break four 7 oz chocolate bars into squares (chocolate chips work too!) and place on top of the hot layer. Let stand until the chocolate is melted, then spread. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of chopped nuts. Cut into squares while warm.

I think I posted this next one on my blog two or three years ago, but it's totally worth repeating. My friend Sue gave me this next recipe and I've managed to convince myself that's it healthy because it contains oatmeal. Yeah... I'm delusional that way ;)

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Bring to boil:
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup Crisco
2 cups white sugar
Boil just until bubbles have formed. Too much boiling will affect how the cookies set.
Stir in:
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup shredded coconut (I use unsweetened)
6 tbsps cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
Mix together well and drop by the spoonful onto waxed or parchment paper and leave to set. Use a tbsp to get big yummy cookies or a teaspoon for lots of bite-sized goodness.

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Have I whet your appetite? :)
I'm off to make shortbreads (Grandma's secret recipe)

Christmas musings and Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Word Count for the past 2 weeks = 0
Anyone out there being productive this month? Nevermind - don't answer. It'll only make me jealous ;)

I read Christine d'Abo's newest EC release last night - Chasing Phoenix - and holy commolie it was hot. And a really cool concept. The hero, Michael, attends a performance art play, blindfolded! - and suspects that the 'performer' is a coworker. I dare you to go read it and NOT stare at everyone in your place of employ the next day. It's amazing what kind of kinky little secrets people harbor ;) You can buy it HERE.

Now that #1 son's birthday party is out of the way, AND the Toronto Romance Writers newsletter is finished, I'm happy to say I'm finally getting into this thing called Christmas. Most of the shopping is done, aside from stocking stuffers, -- and I can't wait until the kidlets see what 'Santa' has in store for them.

For Light (aka 8 yr old son), that crazy Santa got a Wii. Sadly, it's hubby and I that are most eager for that treat. Pathetic, aren't we? I just HOPE that SOMEBODY is buying my Guitar Hero (HINT HINT).

For Sweetness (aka 3 yr old son), Santa found a Smart Cycle. Have you seen these? It's a little bike that hooks up to the television and the kidlet must cycle in order to play the games. Exercise mixed with learning -- the perfect gift for those of us practically house-bound by winter.

And it was no easy feat finding that sucker! Mr. Wylie and I (helping Santa, of course) have been combing toy stores everywere, practically daily, because they keep selling out. Mr. Wylie drove to an out-of-the way Walmart late last night and found one. Ironically, they said they were sold out, but he found one that had been mis-shelved. Double YIPPEE.

After seeing Sweetness's Christmas concert yesterday morning (too cute for words!) I spent the rest of the day baking -- a double batch of shortbreads, butter tarts and fudge, the latter for Light's school Christmas party. Today I'm going to tackle a treat that I learned from Mr. Wylie's granny - a Portugese treat called (but not spelled correctly) bishcottes. They're not overly sweet -- more like a biscuit than a cookie -- until I dribble uber-sweet icing over them!

Then I'll do my personal faves - Chocolate Coconut Macaroons. They are SO delish and easy to make that I've decided to share the recipe:

CHOCOLATE COCONUT MACAROONS

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup shortening

2 cups sugar (white, granulated)

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup shredded coconut

6 tbls cocoa

1 tsp vanilla

Bring milk, shortening and sugar to a boil, stiring frequently. I wait just until the bubbles form around the edges because if you overboil, the cookies won't set properly.

Remove from heat and immediately stir in the remaining ingredients. Mix well, then drop the mixture by the spoonful onto wax paper and leave to set. Use a tablespoon for monster cookies or teaspoons for bite size macaroons.

These freeze really well too.

What's YOUR favorite holiday baking treat? Either to eat, or make...