Christmas is the time of gifts. Every year new items appear that can be gifted. What about something simple and home made? Something like home made cookies that can be gifted? That will look unique and the recipient will be happy that you spent much time to prepare the gift. The gift was not simply picked up off the shelves and sent. Do you agree with me? Here is one idea.



Christmas brings lots of surprises and one that I am thinking of giving my family this year is a new sweet treat. Cookies, candies, fruit and nuts are the usual fare for Christmas, but I have decided to bake a new creation I just read about called SWIRLED TURTLE BROWNIES. I am sure that everyone in my family will enjoy these delights and I know that I will. You can use home baked sweets as a gifts, too.

You will need to preheat the oven to 325* and grease a 13x9-inch baking pan. In a small bowl, add 1 & 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, ? cup NESTLE TOLL HOUSE baking cocoa, ? teaspoon baking soda, ? teaspoon salt. In a larger bowl, add ? cup softened butter, 1 & ? cups packed brown sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and beat until creamy. Slowly add 2 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour mixture from the small bowl to the creamy batch until mixed and then add the special ingredient, ? cup SWIRLDED Milk Chocolate & Caramel Morsels and if you like nuts, add ? cup. Spread into prepared baking pan and sprinkle the remaining Swirled Morsels and the remaining nuts over the top. Spread the batter into the prepared greased pan. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes until toothpick inserted 2 inches from outer edge comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Drizzle with caramel sauce before cutting into squares. This recipe makes 20 brownies.

Once the SWIRLED TURTLE BROWNIES cool, they can be wrapped individually in colored saran wrap and tied with a colorful ribbon to give out as a gift. They would look really good in a basket with a colorful Christmas cloth napkin underneath the brownies. A good addition to the gift would be a nice big coffee cup and some packages of hot cocoa.

If this is going to be a gift for a personal friend, you might want to add a video of a classic Christmas story, a Christmas music CD, or new-holiday released novel. Depending on the size of the basket, you might want to add another personal item or two. One could be a small votive candle with a Christmas scent like sugar cookies, cinnamon, vanilla or some smell that reminds you of the holidays. Another one could be a small box of holiday note cards.

A favorite Christmas snack that is elegantly displayed in a pretty basket or even box can be a well received, loved sentimental present that will long be remembered. After baking and wrapping SWIRLED TURTLE BROWNIE, make sure to think of your recipient's interests and try to choose small, unique, striking items to add to the gift basket. You can use a wide ribbon with wire in the edges to wrap around the basket and tie loosely to give it a final touch. Nothing is more appreciated when it is received than a well thought, hand made gift with personal items. A delicious baked surprise that is a new recipe is sure to be a hit for people who love sweet goods. Christmas sweets just seem to just scream, ?Make me for the holidays and make everybody happy?.

Application of mind can help us create new things that will spread lots of joy during the festive time. The care that we take in selecting the gift is always appreciated and valued.