Most of the Mystery themed Tea Party plans include recipes, that I am happy to share.  Many are named after characters or scenes from the various mystery tea party plans. I have grouped the recipes from all the party theme plans under different headings.  We will begin with Scones. “Sherla Combs and the Case of the Great Jewel Robberies” was the first group game plan to include a full menu of recipes. Here is the scone recipe from that mystery tea party theme plan.  

SHERLA COMBS SOLVES THE MYSTERY OF WHAT TO SERVE.

    BASIC  SCONES  

1 ¾ CUPS SELF RISING FLOUR

2 TEASPOONS SUGAR

1 TEASPOON CREAM OF TARTAR

½ TEASPOON BAKING SODA

¼ CUP UNSALTED BUTTER

2/3 CUP MILK

 Preheat oven to 450.  Sift together flour, sugar, cream of tartar and baking soda.  Cut in butter with a pastry blender till mixture resembles coarse meal.  Slowly add milk as you mix with a fork till soft dough forms.  On a floured surface, knead lightly to form a smooth dough.  Roll out ½ inch thick.  Use cookie cutter or biscuit cutter to cut.  Arrange 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 12 minutes.  Yields about 8 scones.

“The Bodacious Babes of Buzzard Bend”  was the next mystery plan group party game that I wrote.  It actually evolved into a one act play that was eventually published by Baker’s Plays, a subsidiary of Samuel French Co.  It takes place in the wild, wild West.  Here’s the recipe for the Sheriff’s favorite scones.  By the way, she’s so proud of being the Sheriff, she even wears her badge on her pajamas.  It’s written just the way Sheriff Bea Lawful speaks: 

  SHERIFF’S FAVORITE SCONES 

 Get out yer big mixin’ bowl and blend in it:  1 1/3 cup flour

½ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

3 Tbspn sugar

½ tsp cream of tartar 

Then cut in1/3 cup butter   like you do with piecrust.  .

Add 1/3 cup half and half OR cream from the family cow and

3 Tbspn raisins or currants or whatever else ya got on hand

Form dough into ball.  Roll out ½” thick circle.  Don’t handle dough too much.  Cut into wedges, brush with milk or cream, sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 450  Don’t go too far, cause they only take 6 to 7 minutes and they’re all done.

Meander down to Miss Fannie’s Fancy Flavors Tea Room and git some lemon curd and a couple of her homemade jams.  Slather them on, and enjoy!

 I wrote two mystery theme party group plans about ladies who wore red feathers.  You know who you are!

“Who Killed the Roving Romeo of the Red Feather Ladies”  also evolved into a one act play published by Bakers Plays.  Both became popular with all kinds of ladies groups.  

  LIGHT AS A  RED FEATHER SCONES 

 3 CUPS FLOUR

3 TSPNS BAKING POWDER

½  TSPN BAKING SODA

½ TSPN SALT

1 CUP COLD BUTTER

1 EGG

1 CUP VANILLA YOGURT

½ TSPN VANILLA

2 TSPNS MILK

SUGAR 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 
Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in egg, yogurt and vanilla just until combined. 
Turn out onto a floured surface, knead 6-8 times.  Do not over handle.
Roll into a 9 inch circle, cut into 8 wedges.  Place on ungreased baking sheet.  Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for 12-15 minutes 
 

In the mystery themed tea party group game plan “The Red Feather Ladies Aboard the S. S. Titantica”. the Ladies  find there is trouble brewing out at sea.  Barbara, a hypochondriac character from the plan, shares her recipe for scones, filled with healthy ingredients.

   BARBARA’S  HEALTHY OATMEAL SCONES 

 1 ½  cups flour

1 ½ cups rolled oats

½ cup melted shortening

¼ cup brown sugar

1  tsp baking pwder

1 egg

1/8 cups cold water

1 tsp salt

Mix dry ingredients well.  Work in shortening.  Add cold water to beaten egg and mix with dry ingredients.  Pat out on floured surface to 8” circle.  Cut into diamond shapes.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

“The Decadent Housewives of Hysteria Lane” are always squabbling about something, and couldn’t agree on which recipe to submit, so here are two from their mystery themed group tea party plan. 

DECADENT CRAISIN AND PECAN SCONES

3 ½ Cups All-purpose flour

2 Tsp baking soda

½ Tsp salt

½ cups soft butter

1 cup craisins

½ cup finely chopped pecans

1 ½ cups Half and Half

2 Tbsp sugar

1 Tsp ground cinnamon

 Heat oven to 400.  Grease 2 baking sheets.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt.  Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender, until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in the fruit and the pecans.  Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the half and half.  Stir gently with a fork to make a soft dough.

  Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface and knead 10-12 times.  Roll out into a ¾” thickness.  Cut into shapes.

  In a small bowl combine sugar and cinnamon.  Arrange scones half inch apart on baking pans.  Sprinkle scones with sugar mixture.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.
 

   BETSY’S  COCONUT SCONES  

 1 16 Oz. Pkg. Quick Bread & Muffin mix

3 Tbspn butter melted

1 tsp vanilla

            1 egg, slightly beaten

½ cup coconut

2 to 3 Tbspns Half and Half (or more)

Preheat oven to 375.  Grease cookie sheet.  Combine quick bread mix, swirl mix from packet and any swirl mix included in pkg, mix well.  Add butter with pastry blender till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Add vanilla and egg, mix well.  Stir in coconut.  Gradually add half and half, till soft dough forms.  On lightly floured surface, pat dough to ½ inch thickness.  Cut into shapes.  Bake at 375 for 12-16 minutes.
 

 There may be ”Murder at the Earl of Grey’s Hound Manor”, but there’s also recipes for a howling good time included in the pages of this group party mystery theme tea party plan.  The Earl’s hounds aren’t the only winners of blue ribbons.

   BLUE RIBBON SCONES  

 3 CUPS FLOUR

1 ½ TBSPN BAKING POWDER

1 TSP SALT

¾ CUPS BUTTER

¼ CUP HALF AND HALF CREAM

¾ CUP MAPLE SYRUP

1 CUP CHOPPED WALNUTS 

Preheat over to 350.  Mix flour, baking powder and salt.  Cut in butter.  Combine half and half and maple syrup.  Add to flour mixture along with nuts.  Roll out to 1 ½ inch thickness.  Cut into shapes. Bake on greased baking sheets 20-25 minutes

The ladies in the mystery tea party plan “Who Stole the Joy From Christmas?”  are all too busy to enjoy the holidays, but not too busy to enjoy these scones!   Enjoy these delicious scones any time of the year - in your Ladies Group, Church Group or during any social gathering or event!

   CHRISTMAS SCONES  

 1 ¾ Cups flour

            4 tsp baking powder

            5 Tbsp unsalted butter

5 Tbsp sugar

½ cup dried cranberries

2/3 cup milk

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Sift flour and baking powder into bowl.  Cut butter and sugar into flour till coarse crumbs.  Make a well in center and add milk and cranberries.  Knead gently.  Be careful not to over mix, or scones will be tough.  The dough may remain sticky.

On floured surface, roll out dough to ¾ inches thick.  Cut into shapes.  Place on greased pan, and allow to stand for 10 minutes.  Bake 12-15 minutes.
 

SHERLA COMBS SOLVES THE MYSTERY OF WHAT TO PUT ON THE SCONES

   MOCK DEVONSHIRE CREAM  

Mix equal portions of sour cream and frozen whipped topping, thawed.  Add powdered sugar to taste.  Refrigerate till served.

                           RED FEATHER STYLE  “DEVONSHIRE” CREAM  

 8 OZ. CREAM CHEESE

1 TSP VANILLA

3 TBSPNS SUGAR

¼ CUPS  SOUR CREAM

¼ CUP WHIPPED TOPPING

Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy, then beat in remaining ingredients until well blended. Refrigerate till served.

Optional: Replace 1 tsp vanilla with 1 tsp almond for a different taste treat.
 

Most of the tea party mystery theme plan characters are too busy having fun solving mysteries to bother making their own    lemon curd  or   berry jams .  They prefer to purchase, choosing from the great variety of fancy curds and jams to slather on the scones.

  SALADS   

A salad is always a good item to a tea party.   Here are a few to choose from:

      RED FEATHER SALAD      

 It’s best not to wear a red feather boa while making this salad.  Boas tend to shed, and you will notice red feathers are NOT an ingredient in this recipe. 

1 CAN CHERRIES, DRAINED, SYRUP RESERVED

½ CUP COLA SODA

1 3OZ. PACKAGE CHERRY GELATIN

½ CUP NUTS

½ TSPN SALT

1 3 OZ. PACKAGE CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED

1 9 OZ. CAN CRUSHED PINEAPPLE, DRAINED

 Drain cherries; add enough water to reserved syrup and cola to make two cups.  Boil and pour over gelatin.  Stir ‘til dissolved.  Chill slightly.
Add remaining ingredients and blend well.  Pour into mold and chill till firm.

   FEATHERY FLUFF 

 1 16 OZ. CARTON SMALL CURD COTTAGE CHEESE

1 SMALL PKG STRAWBERRY JELLO, DRY

1 8 OZ. CARTON WHIPPED TOPPING

1 16 OZ. CAN PEACHES, DRAINED AND CUT IN SMALL PIECES

 Mix cottage cheese, dry gelatin, whipped topping and drained peaches.  Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

Stir up this recipe to serve in my “Sherla Combs and the Case of the Great Jewel Robberies.”  mystery theme tea party plan and you will find more than jewels have disappeared This salad disappears as soon as it is served! 

  SHERLA COMBS VANISHING SALAD 

½ cup sesame seeds

1 package (4 oz) slivered almonds

2 packages ramen noodles, crushed

2 Tbsp sugar

½ cup melted butter

1 large head nappa cabbage, chopped fine

4 green onions, chopped

DRESSING

(mix together the following)

1 cup vegetable oil

½ cup sugar

½ cup red wine vinegar

2 Tbspns soy sauce 

Yes, it’s true.  Some of the Decadent Housewives actually know how to cook!  But then, you can’t go too far wrong with Jello! 

    EVE'S RASPBERRY CRANBERRY JELLO   

                                     Large Raspberry jello

                                    1 cup boiling water

                                    1 can whole Cranberry Sauce

                                    1 cup diced celery*

                                    1 cup chopped walnuts

                                    1 cup crushed pineapple, drained 

Stir large jello and boiling water till jello is dissolved.  Then add cranberry sauce.  Stir again.  Add all other ingredients.  Mix well and chill.  When it starts to jell, mix again.

Ruthie, of “THE DECADENT HOUSEWIVES”  mystery theme tea party group plan is accident prone and always dropping things, but it’s no accident this recipe is a success. 

                                    RUTHIE'S ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD

Cook 2 or 3 boneless and skinned chicken breasts.  Cool and cut into cubes.

Marinate in sauce over night.  Sauce:

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup soy sauce

 tsp dry mustard

2 tbsp ketchup

6 tbsp of honey or more to taste

Add 6 chopped green onions

Serve over chopped lettuce, and Chinese noodles

Garnish with bacon bits and/or chopped peanuts.

Pineapple slices or mandarin oranges may be added.
 

Miss Fannie’s Tea Sandwiches

Miss Fannie’s right proud to share her recipe for some of her home cookin’.

Here’s a cupla her fav’rits from “The Bodacious Babes .” mystery tea party theme plan.

 EGG SALAD SANDWICH

 Git some eggs from the chicken house, boil ‘em up, and chop ‘em up real good.

Add just the right amount of mayonnaise and a chopped pickle or two.

  FANCY HAM SANDWICH  

Git yourself some ham from the smoke house, and cut up some real thin slices.

CUCUMBER SANDWICH

 There’s been a “Murder at the Earl of Grey’s Hound Manor” and if that isn’t bad enough, they say the cooking’s gone to the dogs.  You be the judge of that!

 KAY NINE’S SANDWICHES

6 OZ DICED COOKED HAM

2 HEAPING TBSPN MAYONAISE

1 HEAPING TSP DIJON MUSTARD

4 OZ CREAM CHEESE

5-6 MARINATED ARTICHOKES, COARSELY CHOPPED

2 OR MORE Tbspn artichoke juice

1 TSPN HOT SAUCE

SALT AND PEPPER

¼ CUP SOFTENED BUTTER

8 SLICES BREAD

 Blend cream cheese, mayo, mustard and artichoke juice, hot sauce salt and pepper.  Add the ham and artichokes and blend till you can still see small bits of both.  Should be of a spreadable consistency.  If too thick, slowly add artichoke juice till it is spreadable.  Butter 4 slices of bread and spread mixture equally among them.  Top with the other 4 slices and cut diagonally into 4 pieces.  Chill.
 

Jane is one of the classy lady’s who’s been jilted in “Who Killed the Roving Romeo of the Red Feather Ladies?”  She say these sandwiches are “Mahvelous, darling.”  Try these recipes from this group party mystery theme tea plan for yourself and decide!

   JANE’S SOPHISTICATED SANDWICHES  

 CHICKEN AND WALNUT SALAD SANDWICHES

 1 COOKED, CHOPPED CHICKEN BREAST

¼  CUP CHOPPED WALNUTS

¼ CUP CHOPPED CELERY

1/8 TSP THYME

DASH GARLIC POWDER

¼ TO ½ CUP MAYONNAISE

SALT AND PEPPER

16 SLICES BREAD

Combine all ingredients except bread and mix well.  Spread on 8 slices of bread.  Top with remaining 8 slices.  Remove crusts and cut into small squares or triangles.  Cover and  refrigerate till served.

  PECAN AND PIMIENTO CHEESE TEA SANDWICHES 

 3 OZ. CREAM CHEESE, ROOM TEMP

3 TBSPNS MAYONNAISE

1 TSP WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE

1 CLOVE FRESH GARLIC

1 6 OZ. JAR PIMIENTO, DRAINED AND SET ASIDE

1 TBSPN CHOPPED PARSLEY

 12 OZ. CHEDDAR CHEESE, GRATED

½ CUP PECANS, COARSELY CHOPPED

10 SLICES WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

SOFT BUTTER

 Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and pimiento liquid. Mix till a smooth paste.
Stir in pimentos, cheddar cheese, and pecans.  Chill for 6 hours or overnight. 

 Assemble:  Spread a thin coating of butter on each slice of bread to prevent it from getting soggy.  Spread pimiento mixture on 5 of the slices of bread, and cover with remaining slices of bread.  Cut off crusts and cut into fancy shapes.  Cover and refrigerate till served.
 

 These recipes come from the kitchen on the S.S. Titantica, where the Red Feather Ladies are trying to keep things afloat.

 PEPPERONI SQUARES

 1 TUBE REFRIGERATOR PIZZA CRUST

¼ CUP PIZZA SAUCE

            1 PACKAGE SLICED PEPPERONI

1 CUPS SHREDDED ITALIAN CHEESE

¼ CUP CHOPPED RED OR GREEN PEPPERS (OPTIONAL)

¼ TSP DRIED ITALIAN SEASONING

 Unroll dough, place on greased cookie sheet.  Press into 12x8 rectangle.  Spread sauce on dough.  Top with pepperoni, cheese, peppers and seasoning.  Fold long sides of dough over filling, pinch to seal.  Pinch short sides to seal. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.  Let cool, then slice into squares.

TITANTICA CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES

2 COOKED CHICKEN BREASTS

¼ CUP CHOPPED WALNUTS

¼ TSP THYME

½ CUP MAYONNAISE

½ CUP GREEN GRAPES, SLICED IN HALF

SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE

SMALL CRESCENT ROLLS

BUTTER

 Chop chicken and walnuts.  Add seasonings and mayonnaise.  Mix well.  Carefully stir in sliced grapes.  Butter crescent rolls and fill with chicken salad.  Refrigerate till served.
 

In this great group "who dunnit" mystery tea party theme plan it is a puzzle to figure out “Who Stole the Joy From Christmas?”, but there’s sure to be joy in eating these sandwiches! 

 CHRISTMAS  TEA  SANDWICHES

 RADISH  SANDWICHES

 Pumpernickel bread

Butter

Radishes

Parsley

Butter slices of pumpernickel bread and cut into fourths.  Cover with thinly sliced radish.  Add a sprig of parsley.  Serve open-face.

Chicken salad nut sandwiches

¾ cup cooked chopped chicken

¼ cup cashews, chopped

1 Tbsp sliced scallion

3 Tbsp mayonnaise

Dash salt and pepper

6 thin slices white bread

Butter

 Combine chicken, cashews, scallion, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.  Mix well.

Spread butter on each slice of bread.  Spread chicken salad on three slices of bread.  Top with remaining slices.  Trim crusts and cut into rectangles or squares.  These may be made the night before and stored in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator.
 

There’s no mystery Sherla Combs can’t solve.  Here’ her solution to the sandwich dilemma.

  TUNA SANDWICHES 

1 small can tuna

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tbspn pickle relish

2 tbspn chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

8 Slices white bread

Mix all ingredients together.  Spread bread with a thin layer of butter. Divide tuna salad over 4 slices of bread, top with remaining bread.  Trim crusts and cut each into 3 sections.  Refrigerate till serving time.

   HAM AND APPLE BUTTER SANDWICHES 

 8 slices whole wheat bread

Apple butter

            ¼ pound smoked ham

Paper thin slices of apple

Spread 4 slices of bread with apple butter.  Top with sliced ham and apple slices.  Spread remaining bread with apple butter and set on top of ham and apple.  Trim the crusts and cut into squares or triangles.
 

   EASY CUCUMBER TEA SANDWICH  

 8 slices white bread cut in rounds or 8 crackers

Cream cheese

Cucumber

Spread cream cheese on bread or cracker

Top with slice of cucumber and your favorite seasoning.

  SHERLA COMBS DISAPPEARING DESSERT 

 PEANUT BUTTER PIE
 

1 16 OZ. Jar peanut butter

1 8 oz pkg. reduced fat cream cheese, softened

¾ cup honey

 1 8 oz. carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 prepared cookie, chocolate or crumb pie crust

2 tbspn chocolate chips

½ tspn shortening

Beat together cream cheese and honey until well mixed.  Stir in peanut butter, mix well Gently fold in whipped topping.  Spoon into crust.

Heat chocolate chips and shortening over low heat until melted; drizzle over pie.  Chill for several hours.
 

The wild, wild West ain’t as wild as it used to be.  Here’s a tame recipe straight from “THE Bodacious Babes of Buzzard Bend” mystery tea party theme plan

   DESERT DESSERTS 

Git  yourself a can or two of cherry pie filling (21 oz) and a smaller one of crushed pineapple (8 oz.) and one of them new- fangled packaged yellow cake mixes.  Go ahead and melt ½ cup butter and set it aside.

GRANDMA’S LOAF CAKE

 1 2/3 cup sifted flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1/3 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs that ya beat up real good

½ cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

            Grandma didn’t leave no directions.  Guess she figured we could figure out how to put it all together ourselves.  I reckon ya bake it at about 350 till it’s done.  Oh, yes, she did say you could add cherries or nuts.  All I remember is that it sure was good.
 

  HONEY STICKS 

 Sift:  1/1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Cream:  ½ cup butter

¼ cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

Add all this stuff together, and mix in 1 cup honey and 1 cup chocolate chips.

Pour it all into one of them 13x9 pans that you greased already and bake at 400 till it’s done.
 

You won’t be barking up the wrong tree, munching on these bars while you guess about the “Murder at the Earl of Grey’s Hound Manor”.

BETTER BEAGLE BARS

1 CUP SUGAR

1 CUP WHITE KARO SYRUP

1 ¾ CUP PEANUT BUTTER (CREAM OR CRUNCHY)

5 CUPS SPECIAL K CEREAL

1 6 OZ PKG MILK CHOCOLATE CHIPS

¾ CUPS PEANUT BUTTER (CRUNCHY)

 Bring sugar and Karo to a boil, remove from heat.  Add 1 3/4 cups peanut butter, blend well.

Add to cereal stirring to coat.  Pour into a greased 9X13 dish or pan.  Press into pan.

Melt chocolate chips and the ¾ cups peanut butter together until smooth and spread over cereal mixture.  Cool and cut into squares.
 

The Red Feather Ladies cheerfully share this recipe.

  CHEERY CHEERLEADER CHERRY PIE 

1 CAN CHERRY PIE FILLING, DIVIDED

1 GRAHAM CRACKER PIE CRUST

1 ½ CUP COLD MILK

2 SMALL PKG. CHOCOLATE INSTANT PUDDING

1 CARTON WHIPPED TOPPING THAWED, DIVIDED 

Spread 1 cup pie filling on bottom of pie crust. 
 Pour milk into bowl.  Add pudding mixes.  Beat for 1 minute. 
 Gently stir in half of the whipped topping.  Spread pudding mixture over pie filling in crust.
Spoon remaining whipped topping around edge of pie forming a pretty border.  Spoon remaining pie filling over pudding mixture.  Refrigerate 4 hours or until set.  Serves 8.
 

 Helen is another accident prone character, always dropping things.  These turned out good, though. 

  HELEN’S DROP COOKIES 

2 CUPS SIFTED ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

¾ TSPN BAKING POWDER

¾ TSPN SODA

¼ TSP SALT

½ CUP BUTTER

1 CUP FIRMLY PACKED LIGHT BROWN SUGAR

1 EGG

1 TSPN VANILLA

½ CUP CULTURED SOUR CREAM

1 ½ CUPS CHOPPED SALTED CASHEWS 

Sift flour, baking powder, soda and salt together.  
 Cream Butter.  Add sugar gradually.  Add egg and vanilla.  Cream well. 
Add dry ingredients and sour cream alternately.  Add cashews.  Blend. 
Drop from teaspoon onto greased cooky sheets.
Bate at 375 degrees about 10 minutes.  Makes about 6 dozen.
Frost with favorite frosting, if desired.
 

  Yummy pretzel dessert 

1 8 OZ. PACKAGE PRETZELS, CRUSHED

1 ½ CUBES MARGARINE, MELTED

1 8 OZ PACKAGE CREAM CHEESE, SOFTENED

1 6 OZ PACKAGE STRAWBERRY GELATIN

3 TBSP SUGAR

1 8 OZ CARTON WHIPPED TOPPING

1 CUP SUGAR

3 CUPS BOILING WATER

1 LARGE PACKAGE FROZEN STRAWBERRIES

Set aside some crushed pretzels for topping.  Mix the remaining pretzels, 3 tbsp. sugar and margarine.  Line bottom of 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 350 about 12 minutes.

Add whipped topping to softened cream cheese and 1 cups sugar, mix.  Pour onto crust and chill.  Mix gelatin, boiling water and frozen strawberries.  Cool till syrupy.  Pour onto above mixture.  Sprinkle pretzels on top and refrigerate.
 

   PECAN  PIE  BARS 

 1 PKG. YELLOW CAKE MIX

½ CUP MARGARINE, MELTED

1 EGG

1 CUP CHOPPED PECANS 

FILLING

2/3 CUP RESERVED CAKE MIX

½ CUP FIRMLY PACKED BROWN SUGAR

1 ½ CUP DARK CORN SYRUP

1 TSP VANILLA

3 EGGS

 Grease 13x9 pan.  Reserve 2/3 cup cake mix.  Mix remaining cake mix, margarine and 1 egg till crumbly.  Press into pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  In large bowl, combine filling ingredients, beat at medium speed till thoroughly mixed.  Pour over crust, sprinkle with pecans.  Bake for 30 minutes.
 

 What’s a Christmas party without Christmas cookies?  Here are a few from the tea party mystery theme  plan “Who Stole the Joy From Christmas?”

   CHRISTMAS COOKIES 

 CHRISTMAS PFEFFERNUESSE

 1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

½ tspn anise oil

2 cups sifted flour

1 ½ tspn cinnamon

½ tspn cloves

½ tspn soda

            ½ cup finely chopped citron

1 ½ cups finely chopped almonds

Powdered sugar

Combine melted butter, sugar and eggs.  Blend well.  Add lemon rind and anise oil.  Sift flour, cinnamon, cloves and soda together.  Add to butter mixture.  Add citron and almonds.  Blend.  Shape into balls.  Place on greased cookie sheets.  Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes.  Roll in powdered sugar while warm.  Store in airtight container.  Makes about 15 dozen cookies.
 

  PUNCH BOWL COOKIES  

 1 cup flour

¼ tspn salt

½ cup butter

¼ cup sugar

1 tspn vanilla

1 egg yolk

¼ cup apricot jam

 Sift flour and salt together.  Cream butter.  Add sugar gradually.  Add vanilla and egg yolk.  Cream well.  Blend in flour.  Refrigerate about 1 hour.  Shape into ¾ inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets.  Make a small depression in the center of each ball.  Bake at 375 about 5 minutes.  Fill depression with small amount of jam.  Return to oven.  Bake 5 to 6 minutes longer
 

CHOCOLATE SNOWFLAKES

 1 cup sifted all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tspn salt

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

¼ cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tspn vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts

Powdered sugar