Easy Oatmeal Crispies

An easy gift from the kitchen is oatmeal crispies.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 egg
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cream sugars and softened margarine or butter together in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed.
   
2. Mix in oil and egg.
3. Add flour a little at a time until mixed.
4. Stir in vanilla, nuts, and oatmeal.
5. Drop a teaspoonful of the mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Press flat.
7. Bake at 350° until browned.
   

Easy Gifts from the Kitchen: Brown Sugar Cookies

Brown sugar cookies store well for gift giving. Put them in a resealable plastic container, place a bow on top and add the recipe card.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 cup flours
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Baking Instructions:

1. Mix brown sugar and shortening, pressing out lumps with the back of a large spoon or the tines of a fork.
2. Stir flour and baking soda until well blended.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla.
4. Add a little bit of milk if the dough is too dry.
   
5. Preheat oven to 325°.
6. Spray cookie sheet with spray oil.
   
7. Place large spoonfuls of mixture on the cookie sheet.
8. Place in center rack in oven.
9. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes.
   

Easy Gifts from the Kitchen: Applesauce Muffins

Easy Applesauce Muffins
Makes 24 Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1-1/2 cups applesauce
• 1 tablespoons apple pie spice
• 1 cup cinnamon chips
  

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, vegetable oil and egg until just blended.
3. Add buttermilk.
4. Stir in applesauce, spice and cinnamon chips.
5. Spoon batter into greased or paper-lined muffin pan, filling each cup 2/3 full.
6. Bake for 20 minutes.

Muffins make a great gift from the kitchen because they keep well for a week or more and everyone loves muffins. They are great for breakfast and as a midnight snack.

Easy Gifts from the Kitchen: Cheese Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (mild, medium or sharp)
• 1-1/3 cups water

Cooking Instructions:

1. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Mix in margarine with a fork until crumbly.
2. Add shredded cheese and water. Blend with a fork until completely mixed.
3. Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet.
4. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

This recipe makes 24 cheese biscuits.