Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Walnut Bread

 Makes 2 loaves...
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1/3 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree, or just under two cups
1 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts

FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter,  double the butter to make it extra-good

Preheat oven to 350 deg Place a rack in the center of the oven. Grease and flour two loaf pans and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together flours, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices.
In a medium bowl, carefully whisk together pumpkin puree, oil, honey and water. add walnuts

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and use a spatula to fold all of the ingredients together. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl well, incorporating all the dry ingredients.

Divide the dough between the two greased pans and sprinkle with the streusel topping. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven. Let rest in the pans for 15 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Delicious served warm with a smear of butter!

Cream Cheese Fudge

 Yield: 3 dozen 1½ X 1½ inch pieces

 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 – 8 oz cream cheese
1 Tbsp instant Espresso powder
¼ c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
¼ c chopped walnuts

Line an 8X8 dish with aluminum foil, buttered to allow release of candy; set aside. Melt chocolate chips either in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds or in a double boiler on the stove. Mix the cream cheese, espresso powder and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add melted chocolate, vanilla and mix until well combined. Add nuts and incorporate. Spread in the prepared dish Place in the refrigerator until can cut easily, length of time will depend on thickness of candy. Keep refrigerated in a closed container until ready to serve.

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed...
2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 (8 ounce) can fruit cocktail, drained
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
(You can add some fresh fruit if you want. I would cut up some apples)

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the whipped topping, coconut, chopped nuts, fruit cocktail, pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, cherries, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix together well and refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes.
Strawberries on side

White Chocolate Chex Mix

3c Cheerios
3c Crispix cereal...
2c roasted nuts
2c pretzels
1 bag of plain M n M's (large not single bag)
14oz white chocolate bark (almond bark)

Mix all ingredients except white chocolate bark in bowl, melt white bark and pour over, cover thoroughly and spread on wax paper to dry.

Christmas Eve Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolate

 1.5 cups heavy cream, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14oz), 2 cups milk chocolate chips, 6 cups of milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract.