MONSTER COOKIES!

My Mom makes these monster cookies every Christmas. It is a recipe that my Grandma used to make. I knew that a "batch" made a ton of cookies... but making these for the first time was CRAZY! The one batch made over 200 cookies, and since I didn't have a bowl large enough to mix all that dough in, I had to use a roasting pan!!!

12 eggs

2 lbs. brown sugar

4 cups white sugar

3 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. white corn syrup

8 tsp. baking soda

1 lb real butter, melted

3 lbs. peanut butter

18 cups Old Fashioned oats

1 lb. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 lb. M&M's (I use the holiday colored ones)

Mix ALL ingredients in the above order. I suggest letting the dough sit about 20-30 minutes before beginning to scooping and rolling into 1 inch balls. Letting the dough rest prior to baking helps the oats absorb the butter and corn syrup. I then add a little flour (about 1/4 cup) to make the dough not quite so sticky.

Place the rolled balls of dough on baking sheets and press down gently to flatten slightly.

Bake at 350° for 11-12 minutes. Do not over bake... they will look undercooked when you take them out, but will set up once cooled.

Friends Thanksgiving 2010

Since moving into my first home in April, I have prepared many meals for friends and family. One of the most elaborate was my "Friends Thanksgiving 2010". I had 4 of my best friends over and prepared the whole meal. I even decorated the table... which was very "Sandra Lee Tablescape" of me! My friend even made an appetizer cheese ball that was shaped like a turkey.

I had never baked a turkey before, so opted for the easier turkey breast.

The turkey was pared with Mom's Dressing, Smashed Potatoes, Chicken and Dumplings, Green Bean Casserole, Yams, and Rolls.

For dessert one friend made a Pumpkin Cheesecake with a gingersnap crust, and another friend picked up a Kentucky Bourbon Derby Pie from a local pie shop.