Cafe Rio Creamy Tomatillo Dressing

2/3 c. tomatillo salsa verde (can or jar)
2/3 c. mayonnaise
1 1/2 T. sugar
2 T. lime juice
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. canola oil
1/4 c. cilantro (more according to taste)

Blend all ingredients except oil and cilantro. Add oil slowly while blender is on high speed. Add the cilantro in bursts until broken up into fine pieces.

Chewy Coconut Bars

Christmas Countdown 2012

8 1/2 graham crackers (or 1 1/2 c. crumbs)

1/2 c. butter

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. butterscotch chips

1 c. coconut

14 oz. can sweet and condensed milk

1/2 c. nuts (opt.)

Melt butter in 9x13 in. pan at 350 degrees. Sprinkle in graham cracker crumbs and press down into a crust. Sprinkle over chips, coconut, and nuts. Pour sweet and condensed milk over top. Bake for 30 minutes. (Alyssa baked them for 23 minutes and it was a little too much.)

Homemade Fudge

Christmas Countdown 2012
                  
3 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1 stick butter (softened)
2-3 drops vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

Mix first three ingredients by hand. 

Slowly mix in powdered sugar until no longer really sticky (about 4 cups).

Roll fudge into logs on wax paper.

Refrigerate until hardened.

Cut into slices and serve.

Chocolate Caramel Brownies

Christmas Countdown 2012

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 cube butter, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chocolate chips
50-60 caramels

Mix cake mix, butter and 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk until combined (texture is VERY thick and somewhat crumbly). 

Press a little more than half of the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 greased pan. 

Bake at 350 for 5-6 min. 

While it cools, melt caramels with sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until smooth. Pour over brownies. Sprinkle with choc. chips and then sprinkle the rest of the brownie mixture on top of that (crumbling between your fingers as you sprinkle). 

Bake again for about 11 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.

Ginger cookies

Christmas Countdown 2012

3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 egg
2 1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Cream butter and sugar. Add molasses and egg and mix again. Add salt, soda, and spices. Mix well. Add flour and beat till thoroughly combined. Roll dough into balls (about 1"). Roll balls in sugar. Place on greased baking sheet and cook at 350 for 8-10 minutes, until tops begin to crack. Cool and serve.