Our grandsons love to get in the kitchen, put on their aprons and help prepare homemade treats. One day, Jackson was so excited to make chocolate chip cookies so we used my all-time favorite recipe from my cookbook for Judy's Chocolate Chip Cookies. But Jackson made it his version by suggesting we add half chocolate chips and half white chocolate chips, so we did. They were some of the best chocolate chip cookies ever. Lucas, our 3-year-old grandson, helped grandpa make a sherbert treat.

Of all the recipes I have, it would be impossible to pick a favorite.

For the Santa in you, this week's recipes make great food gifts. A gift from your own kitchen with a note, especially from you, is special indeed.

...German Chocolate Caramel Bars 1 German chocolate cake mix 2/3 cup evaporated milk 3/4 cup margarine, melted 1 cup chocolate chips 50 caramels Mix the cake mix, 1/3 cup evaporated milk and melted margarine together. Pat 1/2 of the mixture...

I really enjoy cooking new and different things. I especially enjoy when my two sons and their families come over for dinner.

...flour 1 cup oatmeal 3/4 cup butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped Heat caramels with cream or evaporated milk until melted (this can be done...

...eggs 1 1/2 cups flour 1/4 cup water 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Chocolate glaze: 1 cup chocolate chips 6 tablespoons butter Mix all ingredients about 3 minutes on medium speed, scraping bowl often. Lightly spray...

For the Santa in you, this week's recipe makes a great food gift. A gift from your kitchen with a note, especially from you, is special indeed.

...flour 1 cup oatmeal 3/4 cup butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped Heat caramels with cream or evaporated milk until melted (this can be done...

...cup granulated sugar 1 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup spanish peanuts 1 cup chocolate chips Combine dry ingredients; set aside. Cream margarine, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Add eggs and vanilla...