Contest Winning Fruitcake Cookies Food

FRUITCAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients., Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container. (Cookies are best after a few days.)

CONTEST-WINNING CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt 1 cup chocolate chips, unsweetened chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes., In a large bowl, beat sugar and eggs 2 minutes. Beat in chocolate mixture and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into chocolate mixture. Stir in remaining chocolate chips. Refrigerate, covered, until firm enough to handle, at least 3 hours., Preheat oven to 350°. With lightly floured hands, shape dough into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until lightly puffed and set, 10-12 minutes. Cool on pans 3 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

CONTEST-WINNING EGGNOG CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add extracts. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with eggnog, beating well after each addition. Pour into two greased 9-in. round baking pans. , Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small saucepan, combine flour and salt. Gradually stir in eggnog until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat whisking constantly; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature., In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in eggnog mixture and vanilla until smooth. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. If desired, decorate with decorating gel. Store in the refrigerator.