Christmas treats!

____________________— Here's what's been cookin'

CREAMY FUDGE TRUFFLES-   

1 cup cream
1/4 cup butter
1lb chopped semisweet chocolate
Powdered sugar & cocoa, or crushed candy canes
DIRECTIONS: Simmer cream & butter; stir until smooth. Pour over chocolate; stir until chocolate is melted & smooth. Add 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Chill for one hour. Then, roll into small balls. Coat with crushed candy canes or cocoa/powdered sugar. (I personally liked just plain cocoa, for more of a bitter-sweet taste.) Makes about 16 bite sized truffles. Warning: They are very rich. :)

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[Costco] AUSSIE BITES 

2 cups regular or toasted oats
2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 31/2 cup can of unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup sunflower kernels
1 cup (of each) dried fruit chopped: raisins, dates, figs, cranberries
1/4 cup honey
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons hot water
flax seed - about 1/2 cup (optional)
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350. Melt honey & butter in microwave, mix hot water with baking soda, add to butter mixture. Pour mixture into dry ingredients, mix well. Place tablespoons of thick batter into lightly greased non-stick mini-muffin cupcake pans, & flatten mixture slightly. Bake 10 minutes, or until golden. Makes around 40. 

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CHOCOLATE PEANUT CHUNCHIES - fun party snack
About 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
(roughly) 3 cups dried chow mein noodles
Coarsely chopped peanuts or almonds or cashews  
DIRECTIONS: Melt chocolate chips. Stir in noodles. Drop from a tablespoon into an oiled baking sheet & sprinkle with nuts! Let cool. Makes about 24. Super easy. 

note: photos via various online sites. But they look very true to what I've baked.