Everyone loves food and with today’s shrinking economy, what better way to bring cheer to the holiday season than by sharing a delightful ready to assemble and bake unique foodstuffs for all ages. Look close and you’ll even find a gift for Fido to place under the tree.

Creamy Cheese Soup

The dry ingredients for this ready to make warm and filling soup are going to be layered in a four-cup glass jar. Layer the following ingredients starting with the first item and pack each well:

Ingredients

• 1 cup instant coffee creamer
• ½ cup imitation bacon bits
• ½ cup powdered cheese sauce mix
• 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
• 1 tbsp chicken boullion granules
• 1 tsp dried minced onion
• ½ tsp pepper
• 2 cups instant potato flakes

Method

To prepare: empty all contents into a large pot and add 5 cups boiling water. Stir and add more boiling water in ½ cup increments if soup is too thick.

For variations, add broccoli, cauliflower or ham bits.

S’Mores

A quart-sized canning jar serves quite nicely for this special treat on a cold winter’s day. Add the following ingredients as they appear:

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers
• large marshmallows (arrange with a hole in the middle)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (add inside the marshmallow center)
• 1 ¼ cup chocolate bits

Method

To make: dump all ingredients in a large bowl. Remove the marshmallows and snip into small pieces and return to bowl.

Melt ½ cup butter, add to dry ingredients, add 1 tsp. vanilla extract and 1/3rd cup milk. Mix well. Press on a greased 9×9 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

Mix together the following ingredients:

• cup all-purpose unbleached flour
• cup whole wheat flour
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
• tsp. brown sugar or white sugar
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• pinch salt

Method

Add 1 large egg, ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ to ½ cup hot chicken broth or beef broth.

Make a dough that’s heavy but not sticky. Add more flour or water, 1 tsp at a time if too moist or dry. Roll and knead then let rest for 5 minutes. Use your imagination and cut different shapes and place on a cookie sheet. You can place close together because the dough will not spread out.

Bake for 1 hour, rotate sheet and bake another ½ hour. Remove and cool.

They may smell great but remember, they are for the dog!

M & M cookies

Add together and pour into a quart jar:

Ingredients

• cup sugar
• cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup M & M chocolate candies

Method

To prepare: dump all ingredients in a large bowl, add ½ cup softened butter, 1 beaten egg and 1 tsp. vanilla and mix.

Roll into 1 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees, about 10-12 minutes. Cool. Makes 2 ½ dozen cookies.

Decorate your jar lids or place a new dish cloth or doily atop and secure with a ribbon. Believe me, these treats will be very appreciated and remembered.