Macaroon Kiss Cookies

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ingredients 1/3 cup butter (5 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp.) 3 oz. cream cheese, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1 lg. egg yolk 2 tsp. almond extract 2 tsp. orange juice 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted 2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 5 cups flaked coconut* 54 ea. Hershey’s™ chocolate kisses, unwrapped * A 14-oz. package will list 5 to 5-1/3 cups on the package; get 2 packages so as to be sure to have enough in which to roll the dough balls. method Cream butter, sugar, and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, almond extract, and orange juice; beat well. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in 3 cups of the coconut. Cover tightly; chill 1 hour or until firm enough to handle. Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and set aside. Roll each ball in remaining* coconut; place on ungreased cookie sheet about 1 inch to 1-1/2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove cookies from oven; immediately press an unwrapped kiss on top of each cookie. Cool at least 1 minute. Carefully remove from cookie sheet; cool completely on wire rack. About 4-1/2 dozen : Diane Kohne Schuster variations Omit kisses.  Substitute tangerine juice for orange juice.  Use 4 oz. cream cheese (1/2 package).

Rustic Potatoes au Gratin

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ingredients 1/2 cup milk 1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup (10-3/4 oz.), undiluted 1 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz.), softened 1 clove garlic; minced 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/8 tsp. black pepper 2 lbs. baking potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices 1 sm. onion, thinly sliced       optional 1/2 tsp. paprika method In large saucepan, bring potatoes to rolling boil. Immediately remove from heat, drain, and set aside. Heat milk in small saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form around edge of pan. Remove from heat; add soup, cream cheese, garlic, nutmeg, and pepper. Stir until smooth. Layer 1/4 of potatoes and 1/4 of onion on bottom of slow cooker; top with 1/4 of soup mixture. Repeat layers three times. Cover and cook as below until potatoes are tender and most of liquid is absorbed. Sauce will thicken slightly as it cools. Sprinkle with paprika if desired. Cook on LO 6-1/2 – 7 hours 6 servings : Diane Kohne Schuster / Charles Nyström Sublett variations Potatoes may be peeled Increase milk to 1 cup for creamier sauce. Add 1/2 cup cooked ham, diced or minced. Add 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled. Cook with ham hock; remove before serving. note These are not true “au gratin” potatoes; they lack the bread crumb topping included in a classic gratin.