
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 7, 1994                   TAG: 9412070084
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOLIDAY DELIGHTS

Few gifts say happy holidays as effectively as edible treats made up special in your kitchen. The making itself can be fun - bringing together family members and friends for fun times that might even turn into traditions. The making can take all day or longer, if you'd like. But by combining some convenience products with imagination, Dole Food Co. says you can create charming theme packages such as pancake mix, maple syrup, coffee, cocoa or tea and mugs in a pretty mixing bowl, with a magazine or newspaper subscription added in, if you'd like. Or canned smoked oysters, pickled herring, imported crackers, cheeses, olives, pate, a sparkling beverage, appropriate flatware, cocktail napkins and candles in a picnic hamper of basket, with a suitable cassette or CD for a party to go.

Cookies are one of the season's most popular gift items. The makers of Crisco say the secret to moist tender ones is to not over-mix the dough, make the cookies a uniform size, and bake them - one cookie sheet at a time - in the center of the oven.

Dough made with baking soda can be made up to three days in advance and refrigerated, tightly covered with plastic wrap, or frozen for up to three months. However, refrigerating baking-powder dough causes a chemical change that can affect the cookies' flavor.

Bakers will find help this season on several hot lines including the Nestle Baking Information Helpline, (800) 637-8537; Fleischmann's Yeast Baker's Help Line, (800) 777-4959; and the Land O Lakes Holiday Bakeline (800) 782-9606, which is sending all callers a free leaflet of recipes and baking tips. A free 16-page booklet of Baker's Chocolate recipes is also available by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Holiday Desserts, c/o Hunter MacKenzie, 41 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10010-2202.

For insight into how the holidays are celebrated across various regions of America, look at newsstands for Country Home magazine's special edition, "Holidays At Home." And for everything you ever wanted to know about Christmas in 400-plus pages - including why red and green are the season's colors; who created the legend of "Rudolph"; or why we kiss under mistletoe - plus recipes, decorations, carols, the works, get a hold of "The Everything Christmas Book," Bob Adams Inc., 260 Centre St., Holbrook, Mass. 02343; (617) 767-8100.

Package your gift in a suitably sturdy container, and if something is perishable, note the details on a prominently placed label or tag. Decorate with ribbons, holly, mistletoe, a tree ornament or whatever moves you and seal it with love. Happy giving.

Recipes for:

CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY DRUMS

CREAM CHEESE SWIRL CARROT BREAD

SWEET TRADITIONS TRUFFLES

FESTIVE PEPPERED PECANS

PEPPERCORN COOKIES

FRUIT JELLY SQUARES

LEBKUCHEN

MEATLESS MINCEMEAT

PEANUT BUTTER LOGS*

CHOCOLATE CARAMELS

ST. NICHOLAS DAY CANDIES

ANISE OVAL COOKIES

FAT-FREE FANTASY FUDGE

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT WAFERS

by CNB