Christmas Recipes from Natalie

My daughter, Natalie, made these Christmas goodies and said they are very good. So, wanted to share them with you....

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 6 oz. package Craisins
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Preheat oven to 375. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together
until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking
soda, and salt in separate bowl, and add to butter mixture in several
additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in cranberries and
chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12
minutes or until golden brown.

Makes approx. 2 1/2 dozen cookies.


Cheese-filled Shortbread Tartlets

1 package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Fresh raspberries, kiwi, and mint sprigs (optional)

1. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the
milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate.

2. In another bowl, beat butter, flour, icing sugar, and cornstarch until
smooth. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place in greased miniature muffin cups, and
press onto the bottom and up the sides. Prick with a fork.

3. Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately run a
knife around each tart to loosen completely. Cool.

4. Pipe or spoon 1 tablespoon cheese filling into each tart shell. Cover and
refrigerate until set. Just before serving, garnish with raspberries, kiwi,
and/or mint if desired (I used cherries).