Chocolate (Philabaum) cake
a la Thompson family

2 c flour
2 c sugar
1 t soda
1/2 t salt
1 c butter
1 c water
1/3 c cocoa
2 eggs
1/2 c buttermilk
1 1/2 t vanilla

sift together flour, sugar and soda. bring to boil water, butter and cocoa. add to dry and combine. add eggs, vanilla and buttermilk and beat for 1 minute.
bake at 350 for 25 minutes for jelly roll pan, or 30-35 minutes for 9x13 pan.  frost while still hot.

Chocolate frosting
1/4 c butter
3 T cocoa
3 T buttermilk
2 1/4 c powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 t vanilla

bring butter, cocoa and buttermilk to boil. add sugar and vanilla. frost a hot cake while frosting is still  hot.

Butter Cookies with Eggnog Frosting
a la cooking channel 

1 c unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 c sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 t vanilla
2 large egg yolks
1/2 t finely grated lemon zest
2 1/4 c flour

beat butter, sugar, salt and vanilla until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. add egg yolks one at a time. add lemon zest. turn mixer to lowest setting and gradually add flour until just incorporated.

divide into 2 portions, and roll into a log 2 inches in diameter. roll in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

remove from fridge and cut into 3/8 in circles. bake at 375 for 14 minutes.

Eggnog Frosting

2 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 c butter
2 T eggnog
freshly ground nutmeg
1 c powdered sugar
cinnamon

beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. add eggnog and nutmeg. turn to lowest setting and add powdered sugar until incorporated. frost completely cooled cookies, and dust with cinnamon.

Super Soft Sugar Cookies
a la Chad's Mom

1 c butter
1 1/2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 t vanilla
3 1/2 c flour
2 t cream of tartar
1 t soda
1/2 t salt

cream butter and sugar until soft and fluffy. add eggs one at a time. stir in vanilla. add dry ingredients, mixing by hand. cover and refrigerate overnight.

roll out into 1/4-1/8 in thickness and cut with favorite shapes. bake 375 for 6-8 minutes or until a golden brown appearance.

note: i, of course, did not mix by hand. i just used the slowest stir setting on my kitchen aid. i also added a little splash of nutmeg to the dough.

Hot Spiced Cider
a la mom

1 1/2 c sugar
1 quart water
10 whole cloves
6 allspice berries
pinch of ginger
2 sticks cinnamon
2 quarts apple cider
2 cans frozen orange juice plus water
1 can frozen lemonade plus water, or juice from 3 lemons

boil sugar and water together for 5 minutes. add spices and let stand for 1 hour. strain off spices. add cider and orange and lemon juices. serve hot.