*Holly Bake*

I (and a little help from the kids) have been busy making yummy, Valentine's treats. I love the colors for Valentine's, which is a little weird since I hate the color RED but all of the pinks make up for the red! I made sugar cookies and they came out super-soft, not sure what happened to the dough but the are really yummy. Also made chocolate - M&M's - pretzels...my favorite. Also another personal favorite Marshmallow cookies, I think I could eat the whole batch.

Here's the Chocolate-M&M's-Pretzels The are so easy to make. Just lay the pretzels on a cookie sheet Place a Candy melt (I use Wilton Brand) on each pretzels Put in a 375 degree oven for 3 minutes Press a M&M in the center of the melted chocolate Let cool or place in refrigerator to cool faster. The eat...eat..eat... I love to make these for all of the holiday's.

Marshmallow Cookies are a favorite of mine and good for holiday's since you can use seasonal sprinkles. You can use chopped walnuts on the top for non-holiday cookies.

Marshmallow Cookies

1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. chopped nuts or sprinkles
22 large marshmallows, cut in half

Combine shortening, sugar, egg, milk & vanilla and mix until blended. Add cocoa, flour, salt and baking soda, mix until combined. Drop 1 tablespoon dough on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes at 375 degrees. Remove and top each cookie with marshmallow and return to oven for 2 minutes. Flatten marshmallow. Cool and frost with Chocolate frosting, decorate with nuts or sprinkles.
Chocolate frosting
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp. milk
Melt butter, stir in cocoa, powdered sugar and milk beating until spreading consistency.