Guest Author - Susan Thompson

You’re so busy this time of year, shopping, wrapping, mailing, visiting, and cooking. Baking? Oh no, you forgot to make cookies for your child’s class party, or the neighbor’s get together. Relax, here are four no bake recipes that are guaranteed to please. These recipes are so easy, the kids can help you make them and they are good enough to give as gifts too.


No-Bake Cocoa and Oat Cookies

2 cups granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) margarine or butter
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1/3 cup baking cocoa
3 cups oats (quick or old fashioned*, uncooked)
1. In large saucepan, combine sugar, margarine, milk and cocoa. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue boiling 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Remove from heat. Stir in oats.* Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until firm. Store tightly covered.
Makes about 3 dozen.
*If using old fashioned oats, cool mixture in saucepan 5 minutes.


Peanut Butter Crisps

1 (11-ounce) package or 1 2/3 cups butterscotch flavored morsels
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 cups corn flake cereal
1/2 cup raisins, (optional)
1. In a medium sized sauce pan, heat morsels and peanut butter on low stirring almost constantly until smooth. Stir in corn flakes and raisins.
2. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Chill for 20 minutes or until set. Store in airtight container.
Makes 2 dozen

Orange Wafers

3 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar, sifted
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 (6-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed, undiluted
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (7-ounce) package sweetened flaked coconut
1. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs, powdered sugar and pecans; mix well. Stir in orange juice concentrate and butter.
2. Shape into 2-inch fingers; roll in coconut. Refrigerate.
Makes 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

Cream Cookie Party Pops

20 popsicle or lollipop sticks
20 Cream filled cookies (like Oreo Double Stuff® )
1 12-ounce package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 T. vegetable oil
Chopped nuts, colored sprinkles or miniature candies
1. To form cookie pops, insert lolli-pop sticks into the cream center of each cookie. Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate and oil until melted and smooth, stirring constantly.
3. Dip each cookie into the melted chocolate, coating evenly. Place dipped cookies on waxed paper and decorate with chopped nuts, sprinkles or candies.
4. Leave cookies on waxed paper until completely set, then wrap in plastic wrap and tie with a bow.
Makes 20

This is my last article before Christmas so I wanted to thank you all for your support and wish you all a very happy, healthy holiday season. Remember to take care of yourself, your neighbors, and most of all take care of your kids.