San Antonio Busy Kids

A good friend of mine is getting ready to a holiday gathering and asked for a couple of no-bake dessert recipes. Holidays? Already? I blinked my eyes, and it was August. I blinked again, and it was October. *Sigh*

Okay, Mel. Here are your recipes. And here they are for anyone else who, like me, knows to stay away from hot objects and anything that requires careful measurements to come out tasting good. Let’s just say, I’m not known for my culinary skills…

Rest assured, these are winners even if you can’t boil water.

Cookies While You Sleep

3 extra large egg whites
pinch of salt
3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips, peppermint chips or (my favorite) broken pieces of peppermint candy

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat egg whites until frothy. Add a pinch of salt and slowly add sugar. Beat for several minutes until very stiff and glossy. The mix should look like marshmallow fluff. Gently fold in chips and drop by the tablespoonful onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. If desired, sprinkle a few of the remaining chips on tops of cookies or on just half of the cookies for contrast. Place in oven on middle rack and turn oven off immediately. Leave door closed until morning and NO PEEKING! Makes about 28 cookies.

No Bake Fruit Cake

1 lb marshmallows
1 big box raisins
1 lb crushed graham crackers
1 cup heavy cream or canned milk
1 large jar maraschino cherries – chopped with a couple tablespoons of the cherry liquid reserved
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla or rum extract

Melt marshmallows and cream in a double boiler or microwave until melted. Mix all other ingredients together. Add to liquid. Line a loaf pan with waxed paper and add the mixture. Place in refrigerator overnight. Serve with whipped cream mixed with rum extract.

From my sister-in-law: Peanut Butter Pie

1 – 8 oz package cream cheese, cut up
1/2 c peanut butter
1 c sifted powdered sugar
2 T milk
4 oz whipped topping, thawed
1 graham pie crust, chocolate or regular

In large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and peanut butter. Beat with electric mixer until combined. Add powdered sugar and milk. Beat until combined. Fold in whipped topping. spoon into the pie shell. Cover and chill. Serve with chocolate sauce over the top.