(NAPSA)—Kids love to help with holiday preparations, especially those that let them use their creativity. Baking up some tasty holiday treats together delivers the gift of memories and a delicious gift to share with family and friends. Even the smallest tots will be able to help with Holiday Cookie Surprises. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth oatmeal cookie dough is molded around a candy-coated chocolate piece, gumdrop or other sweet “surprise,” then rolled in colored sugar crystals or sprinkles and baked. For gift giving, make cookie bundles—arrange cookies in the center of a square of food-safe wrap, form into a bundle andtie with a ribbon. HOLIDAY COOKIE SURPRISES About 4 Dozen Cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, or old fashioned, %4 1 1 2 1% softened cup powdered sugar egg teaspoon vanilla cupsall-purpose flour cups Quakeroats (quick uncooked) \% teaspoonsalt (optional) Approx. 48 assorted bitesize candies Colored sugar or sprinkles Heat oven to 325F. Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, oats and salt; mix well. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Press candy piece into center of each ball; shape dough around candy so it is completely hidden. Roll cookies in colored sugar until evenly coated. Place 1% inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 14 to 17 minutesor until set. Cool completely on wire rack. Store tightly covered.
