The Shelbyville Group of Embroiders Guild of America keeps busy during the Christmas season. We just learned that when they’re not making those beautiful ornaments for Christmas trees, members are also quite the cookie-bakers.

We suggest putting out a plate of Barbara Morgan’s “Molasses Crinkles” or Louise Armstrong’s “Christmas Toffee” or “Town House Cookies.” Recipes are below.

We’ve gotten it straight from Santa that these are easy to make and delicious to boot!

**Molasses Crinkles

Makes: 4 dozen 2 1/2 inch cookies

Mix:

3/4 C. soft shortening

1 C. brown sugar

1 egg

1/4 C. molasses

Sift together and stir in first mixture:

2 1/4 C. sifted flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

Chill dough. Roll into balls the size of large walnuts. Dip tops in sugar. Place sugared-side up, 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle each cookie with 2 or 3 drops of water to produce a crackled surface. Bake just until set but not hard in a 375 degree oven - about 10 -12 minutes.

**Christmas Toffee

50 saltine crackers (approximate)

2 sticks butter

1 C. light brown sugar, packed

2 C. chocolate chips

½ to 1 C. chopped pecans

Line large jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Line paper with saltine crackers. Cook butter and sugar in pan over low to medium heat. Stir until butter is melted and bring to boil for 2 to 3 minutes, stir constantly. Pour evenly over crackers and spread mixture. Place in 325 oven and bake 6-8 minutes. The mixture will spread over the crackers. Remove pan from oven, sprinkle chocolate chips on while hot. Let chocolate chips melt and put pecans on and press down with spatula. Place in freezer 30 minutes then break apart.

**Town House Cookies

8 oz. chopped dates

1 can sweetened condensed milk

½ C. chopped pecans

Town House crackers

Combine dates and condensed milk and place in microwave and cook until paste is formed. Add pecans and cool. Spread on crackers and bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes 75