Wassel

Makes 1 gallon
1 1/4 cup sugar
4 cups water                            Boil for 10 min.

12 whole cloves

6 cinnamon sticks          Add and leave for hour

4 allspice berries       

3 cups orange juice

2 cups lemonade           Add & let stand over night

2 quarts apple cider

        Remove spices

Christmas Jewel Cookies

Makes 5 Dozen
5 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, separated
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 2/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 cups finely chopped pecans
1 cup thick raspberry jam

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cream the butter and sugar.  Beat in the egg yolks, vanilla, and salt, then the flour.  Shape the dough into 1-inch balls.

Brush each dough ball with beaten egg white and then roll in the chopped pecans and place 2 or 3 inches apart on baking sheets.  Press the center of each ball with your thumb and fill with 1/2 teaspoon of jam.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until just golden around the edges.  Cool on a rack.

Peppermint Crinkle Cookie

Ingredients:
4 oz unsweetened chocolate
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup corn (or other vegetable) oil
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Either grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.  Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. 
Chop chocolate into quarters, place into microwaveable bowl and microwave for 1 minute and stir it.  If not melted, keep microwaving in 20 second increments.  Once it is melted, pour in the oil and stir.  Add sugar and mix until it is incorporated.  Add eggs one at a time until well blended.  Add the extracts and then the flour mixture.  Make sure the dough is well blended and turn out onto a large piece of plastic wrap and chill overnight, or at least 3 hours.
Drop teaspoonfuls into powdered sugar and roll into a ball.  Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
Bake 10-12 minutes
Cool cookies on a rack.