Santa Cookies

I made these cookies 2 years ago at Christmas time.  I have been looking for a cookie or treat to make for Sterling's school party.  These turned out very cute, so I might just make them again.

INGREDIENTS


1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated sugar cookies
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
2 to 3 drops red food color
68 semisweet chocolate chips (about 1/4 cup)
34 cinnamon candies or red M&M's
2/3 cup coconut
34 miniature marshmallows

DIRECTIONS

1. Freeze cookie dough at least 1 hour.

2. Heat oven to 350°F. Cut chilled dough into 1/4-inch slices. (Return dough to freezer if it becomes too soft to cut.) On ungreased cookie sheet, place slices 3 inches apart.

3. Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 5 minutes.

4. In small bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter and enough milk until smooth and desired spreading consistency. In small bowl, place half of frosting. Add red food color; stir until blended.

5. Frost cooled cookies with red and white frosting. Use small amount of frosting to attach chocolate chips for eyes and cinnamon candy for nose. Gently press coconut into white frosting for beard. Press marshmallow into red frosting for tassel on cap. Let stand until frosting is set. Store between sheets of waxed paper in tightly covered container.

Mary's Oatmeal Crisps

These are some of the best oatmeal cookies. My old babysitter and friend's mom, Mary, used to make these. I could eat a ton!

1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup choppend pecans

Cream shortening & sugars. Add eggs & vanilla. Beat well. Sift together flour, salt, soda & add to creamed mixture. Stir in oats & nuts. Mix & make into small loose balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 mintues. Makes 5 dozen.