Pistachio/Cherry Sugar Cookies

I found this recipe in a holiday magazine and thought it sounded both delicious and very easy. I made them for Christmas and everyone loved them.

Ingredients:

1 pkg (18 ounce) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1/2 cup shelled pistachios, lightly chopped
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped
1 pkg (11 ounce) white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, lightly spray cookie sheets.
2. Let roll of sugar cookie dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
3. Open package of sugar cookie dough and on a cutting board, press dough into a rectangle.
4. Add pistachios and cherries, pressing into dough and then reshape into a log again.
5. Place into freezer for 15 minutes (so it's easier to slice).
6. Remove from freezer, and slice into 1/4 " thick rounds, then place on cookie sheets.
7. Bake 7 to 11 minutes, until golden around edges.
8. Let sit for 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.
9. When cookies are cooled, place white chocolate chips in microwaveable bowl. Microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until melted.
10. Take cooled cookie and dip one half into melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper to cool and set. For the Christmas holidays, sprinkle with red and green colored sugar.

Cream Cheese & Cherry Turnovers

So easy, but people will think you spent a lot of time making this great dessert.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup (2 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup cherry pie filling
1 pkg (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1 tbl sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees...lightly spray cookie sheet with non stick spray (if using a stone, no need to spray).
2. Combine cream cheese and cherry pie filling.
3. Unroll crescent roll dough, press seams together, then roll out dough to make an 8" X 15" rectangle.
4. Cut 8 circles, using biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter.
5. Place 2 tsp cherry mixture in center of each circle...fold dough in half, matching edges, pressing edges together with fork to seal.
6. Place on cooking sheet...then brush each turnover with egg white. Then sprinkle with almonds.
7. Bake 15 to 17 minutes or until light golden brown.

Chocolate/Cherry Cake

I got this recipe from my Mother's recipe box, under the heading of 'GOOD & EASY'. And that is exactly what it is.

Ingredients:

Cake-
1 package devils food cake mix
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 tsp almond extract (optional)
2 eggs-beaten

Frosting-
1 cup granulated sugar
5 tbl butter
1/3 cup milk
6 ounces chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 pan.
2. Combine the cake mix, cherry pie filling, extract, and beaten eggs.
3. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove cake and while cake is still warm make frosting.
4. Combine granulated sugar, butter, and milk in small saucepan, bring to just boiling and stir constantly for 1 minute, add chocolate chips and stir unitl smooth.
5. Remove from heat and immediately pour over cake.