So much of our precious memories of the Holiday season center around the tastes and aromas coming out of the heart of the home: the kitchen. And the people that created those memories for us hold a special place in our hearts as well. For those, like me, who are missing loved ones this Holiday season, I pray you have more smiles than tears, as you recall with fondness the blessing of their presence in your life.

I hope you enjoy a few of our family’s traditional favorites: Marshmallow Creme Fudge, hand-typed and scribbled on by my mother; and 7 Layer Cookie Bars.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Marshmallow Creme Fudge

(I use butter instead of margarine. Substitute peanut butter chips and you have peanut butter fudge. So good! And “soft ball” stage is 234 degrees on a candy thermometer.)

7 Layer Bars

My brother is the guardian of this family treasure and uses a version from Cooks.com

Melt 1 stick (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter and stir in 1 pack of crushed graham crackers, roughly 1 cup. Press the mixture into a greased 9″ X 13″ pan. Sprinkle on top of the crust, 1 cup each of chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. Then sprinkle 1 cup of shredded sweetened coconut. Top with 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts of your choice. I like pecans and/or slivered almonds). Pour a 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk over the entire thing and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until golden brown on top.

Let cool and slice into small bars, as these treats are intensely sweet. You can play with the flavors too, doing only one kind of chip or changing the nuts.