These recipes come from friends and family across the United States. They have been compiled into a recipe book, "Country Cooking," and include over 300 recipes. For the holidays, we are sharing a few of the recipes from the "Desserts" section.

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SUGAR PLUMS
1 egg white
1/2 cup cold water
1 tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
6 cups sifted confectioners (powdered) sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup candied fruit
pitted prunes, slit

Beat first 5 ingredients together until frothy. Then add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Add butter and beat well. Fold in coconut and fruit. Chill at least 48 hours before rolling into balls and stuffing into pitted prunes.

Ruth Reed
Oskaloosa, IA

MARIAN'S CHRISTMAS APPLESAUCE CAKE
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 quart apple sauce
4 cups flour
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp allspice
½ tsp salt
6 tsp baking soda
1 cup nuts, chopped
1 cup raisins, chopped
1 cup dates, chopped
1 pint mixed candied fruit

Cream shortening and sugar. Add beaten eggs. Dissolve soda in applesauce. Sift dry ingredients; add alternately with applesauce to creamed mixture. Add nuts, raisins, dates and mixed fruit. Bake in large tube pan in slow oven for 90 minutes.

Marian Hill
Ridgecrest, CA

MEXICAN SKILLET FUDGE
2 cups sugar
3 Tbsp butter
1 cup evaporated milk (Carnation)
1 tsp cinnamon (or less)
½ tsp salt

Cook these AT a boil for 5 minutes in electric skillet at 280* - stir constantly. Turn off heat and add:
½ cup miniature marshmallows
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or can fill in with 1/3 cup butterscotch chips)
1/2 cup pecans (or walnuts)

Stir until chips and marshmallows are melted. Add nuts and vanilla. Pour into 8 inch square buttered pan.

Vanita Cross
Harrisburg, NE

GINGERBREAD
2-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp mace
1/2 tsp caraway seeds
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk

Stir together 2-1/2 cups flour, salt, baking soda, spices and caraway seeds. In separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in molasses and ½ cup of the flour mixture. Add eggs. Beat well. Add remaining flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Beat until well mixed (may not be smooth). Pour into greased 12 x 8 pan and bake at 350* for 45 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Dusty Reed
Oskaloosa, IA

You can find more Country Kitchen recipes at Country Cooking

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