Cookie Night 2008, continued......

This year I wanted to make something a little different when we made cookies, so I tried a recipe my mom also made this year. It is really easy, and tasty.
Basically all you need is Snyder Pretzel Rods, a couple big Hershey bars, and whatever kind of candy or nut you would like to use as coating. I chose crushed candy canes, for the holidays. All you do is break the chocolate bar into the smaller square chunks and melt the chocolate in a mug in the microwave. Don't let the chocolate melt to the point where it is super runny or it will have a hard time making a nice thick coat on the pretzel. Coat the pretzel in chocolate by dipping it in the mug o' melted chocolate and twisting it around. Then roll the chocolate covered portion of the pretzel in the topping of your choice.

Let the pretzels dry on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.

Voila! There you have it, a really simple way to make something a little different for the holidays.

Here is another recipe I made this year at Cookie Night 2008, also a recipe that originated from my mom.

Coconut Blueberry Cheesecake

For the crust:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup finely crushed graham crackers

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup ground pecans

1/4 cup sugar

-In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until it is the color of light brown sugar, then set aside

-Mix graham cracker crumbs, flour, coconut, pecans and 1/4 cup sugar. Stir in melted butter and press in to 13x9x2'' baking pan

-Bake crust at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes

For the filling:

1 & 1/2- 8oz packages softened cream cheese (12oz total)

2/3 cup sugar

4 eggs

1 tbsp brandy or milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups fresh blueberries

-In a bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients except the blueberries. Pour the mixture over the baked crust. Sprinkle the blueberries on top. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.

-Cover and refrigerate.

Delicious!!