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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 29, 1995                   TAG: 9511300002
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOLIDAY MAGIC

Home-baked cookies are among the things that make the holidays special. The following whimsical recipes will be equally appreciated toted to a local get-together, shipped off to distant loved ones, or baked and consumed at home. For successful storing and shipping of your holiday goodies, follow these tips from the kitchen magicians at the Land O' Lakes Holiday Bakeline.

To store cookies for up to 1 week

After baking, let cookies cool completely

Do not mix soft and crisp cookies together in the same container or the crisp cookies will absorb moisture from the soft cookies and become soft as well

Store soft cookies in a container with a tight-fitting lid

Store crisp cookies in a container with a loose-fitting lid

Store bar cookies in the pan in which they were baked; cover pan tightly with aluminum foil or plastic food wrap

To store cookies for up to 6 months

Arrange frosted or unfrosted cookies in a container lined with plastic food wrap or aluminum foil; separate with layers of aluminum foil or plastic food wrap

Tightly seal container, label with contents and date, then freeze

To thaw cookies, remove package from freezer and place in refrigerator or let thaw on counter.

To ship cookies

In addition to your delicious home-baked cookies, you'll need a sturdy cardboard box or empty coffee can; aluminum foil or plastic food wrap; paper towel or bubble wrap; freezer, plastic or masking tape; and brown mailing paper

Bar, drop or fruit cookies can best withstand mailing; tender, fragile cookies are apt to crumble when mailed

Use heavy cardboard box or empty coffee can as a mailing container

Line container with aluminum foil or plastic food wrap

Wrap four to six cookies of the same size together in aluminum foil, plastic food wrap or plastic food bags and seal securely with freezer tape; repeat until container is full

Place heaviest cookies at the bottom of the container and layer the wrapped cookies with crumpled paper towels around them. Bubble wrap can be used to line container and divide layers of cookies

Seal container with freezer, plastic or masking tape

Wrap container with brown mailing paper or a cut grocery sack

Print mailing address and return address on the package in waterproof ink; mark the package "Perishable Food" to encourage quick and careful handling

To present cookies for local gift-giving

Arrange treats on a sturdy holiday plate, take a sheet of clear or colored cellophane (available from florists) and set plate in middle of it. Gather up the edges so they meet at the top; then tie the top with a ribbon.

Wrap cookies or candy in cellophane or in a holiday plastic food bag, then display on small decorative sleigh or sled or other holiday ornament. This makes a festive centerpiece as well.

Pack cookies in a holiday basket with recipe card, holiday mugs, napkins and a selection of flavored coffee and hot chocolate, or other items, for a personalized gift basket.

For answers to your baking questions, call the Land O' Lakes Holiday Bakeline through Dec. 24 at (800) 782-9606. Bakeline callers will receive "Baking Holiday Magic," a free leaflet filled with festive holiday recipes.

Recipes for:

CHOCOLATE COOKIE MICE

CHRISTMAS COOKIE ORNAMENTS

ABRACADABRA WAND COOKIES

MAGIC CHRISTMAS CARDS

SANTA'S STOCKINGS

ORANGE GINGERBREAD MEN

by CNB