SIFT together and STIR in:

• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons cream tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

CHILL dough; ROLL into balls the size of small walnuts. ROLL IN mixture of 2 teaspoons sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon. PLACE 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. BAKE 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F. As a VARIATION, omit the cinnamon; roll in sugar only. ADD 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract to dough before chilling.

Christmas Cookies

MAKE batter out of:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup bourbon

CHOP:

• 2 pounds shelled pecans
• 1 pound candied cherries
• 1 pound candied pineapple
• 1 pound golden (white) raisins

ADD chopped fruits and nuts to batter. DROP from teaspoon onto cookie sheet. BAKE at 250°F for 30 minutes; or a little longer, until firm and lightly browned.

Praline Cookies

• 1/2 cup oleo (margarine)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup nuts - pecans if you're being true to this Southern recipe
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

CREAM oleo, sugar; ADD egg. BLEND in flour; ADD nuts, flavoring. DROP on greased sheets. BAKE 350°F for 10 minutes. LOOSEN while warm. COOL.

This next recipe is more Caj's speed! Oatmeal Candy Cookies (no baking required)

MIX:

• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 package chocolate chips or 1/2 cup cocoa

MIX IN SAUCEPAN:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick oleo
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

BRING to rolling boil, and POUR over above mixture. MIX well. DROP by spoonfuls on wax paper.

But this is Caj's favorite of favorites!

Chocolate Crinkles

• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 4 squares (4 ounces) unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

MIX oil, chocolate, sugar. BLEND in 1 egg at a time until well mixed. ADD vanilla. STIR in salt, flour, baking powder. CHILL several hours or overnight. HEAT oven to 350°F. DROP teaspoonful of dough into confectioners' sugar. ROLL around and SHAPE into a ball. PLACE about 2-inches apart on greased baking sheet. BAKE 10 to 12 minutes. Makes about 50 of Caj's favorite cookie. Oh my, yes, it certainly does.