Quick and Easy Peppermint Fudge
 a la the pioneer woman

3 c semisweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetend condensed milk
crush candy canes, for topping

Line an 8-by-8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk and stir until it's all melted and smooth. Pour it into the prepared pan and spread to even out the surface. Sprinkle on the crushed candies. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Lift the foil out of the pan and peel off the fudge. Cut into small squares.

Kiss Cookies
 a la Laura

Hershey's kisses
1/2 c shortening
3/4 c creamy peanut butter
1/3 c sugar
1/3 c brown sugar
1 egg
2 T milk
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 c flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
additional sugar for rolling

Preheat to 375.

beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. add sugars, beat until fluffy. add egg, vanilla. stir together dry ingredients, then gradually add to peanut butter mixture. shape into 1 in balls and roll in sugar.
bake 8-10 minutes. press an unwrapped kiss in the center of cookie after cooling for about 2 minutes. cool completely and enjoy!

Monster Cookies
a la the Pioneer Woman

2 sticks salted butter, softened
1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c brown sugar
2 large whole eggs
1 T vanilla
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
2 t kosher salt
1 1/2 c oats
1/2 c M&M's (to taste)
1/2 c pecan, chopped (to taste)
3/4 c chocolate chips, milk or semisweet
1/2 c peanut butter chips
2 1/4 c rice krispies

beat butter and sugars. add eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and beat.
mix flour, soda, powder and salt until combined. add to mixing bowl and mix until combined.
add in all the yummies, in whatever quantities you like. add rice krispies last- do not overmix!
bake at 375 until golden brown, check at about 10 minutes.

chef's note: i made these, and they needed much more flour in my opinion. halfway through the dough baking, i added another 1/2 cup of flour. next time, i will add an extra cup at the beginning. they were too flat and greasy, the 2nd half were better.

Candied Walnuts
a la Janae

1 pound walnut halves
1 c white sugar
2 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt
6 T milk
1 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Spread nuts in a single layer over baking sheet. Roast for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until the nuts start to turn brown and the smell of roasting nuts fill the kitchen.
Stir together sugar, cinnamon, salt and milk in medium saucepan. Cook over medium high heat for about 8 minutes, or until mixture reaches soft ball stage of 263 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla immediately.
Add walnuts to sugar syrup and stir to coat well. Spoon onto wax paper and immediately separate with fork. Cool and store in airtight container.