1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts, optional (or toasted coconut, candies, or other garnishes as desired)

Bring sugar, syrup and butter to a boil in a large saucepan. Add sweetened condensed milk, simmering and stirring constantly until the mixture reaches a soft ball stage. Don't stop stirring! Test doneness by placing a small amount of mixture into a cup of ice water. A soft, but firm, ball will form if the mixture is ready. Remove from heat, and add vanilla. Quickly dip apples in caramel, then nuts (or other garnish), and immediately transfer to cooled pan from the refrigerator. Or, to make caramels, pour mixture into refrigerated pan to cool, cut into squares and wrap in waxed paper. — Ashley Gorrell

---

RAISIN-FILLED COOKIES

Dough:

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons soda

Pinch of salt

4 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 cup shortening

1 cup butter

2 eggs, well-beaten

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

7 cups flour

Filling:

3 cups raisins

1 cup sugar

2 cups water

4 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts

Mix first six dough ingredients together well, then add eggs, milk, vanilla and flour. Stir well.

Grind raisins in food processor with 1 cup of the water. Then add remaining filling ingredients to a saucepan and cook 10 minutes, or until thickened.

Roll dough 1/8-inch thick. Cut into circles or other shapes with a cutter. Place a small amount of filing onto a shape and cover with another piece of dough, sealing edges. If the top cracks, wet your fingers and seal the cracks. Bake at 355 degrees for 10-15 minutes. — Ashley Gorrell

---

BAKED APPLES

4 Braeburn apples, cut in half

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup brown sugar

Cinnamon to taste

Melted butter

Split each apple in half and scoop out the seeds with a melon baller, to form a pocket for the filling. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of the apple half so it will sit flat. Combine coconut, pecans, raisins, sugar and cinnamon, and stuff the pocket of each apple (stuffing should spill out from the pocket). Baste apples with melted butter. Place in a 350-degree oven until done, about 25-30 minutes. Apples should be soft but firm enough to handle. The raisins on top will be black and bitter, so pick those off before serving. — Ashley Gorrell

---

COLCANNON