1994 2nd Place: Surprise Packages Recipe

     Yield: 36 Servings
 
      1 c  Unsalted butter,softened
  2 1/4 c  All-purpose flour
    1/3 c  Confectioners'sugar,sifted
      1 t  Pure vanilla extract
      1 t  Water
     36    layered chocolate
           Mint wafers,(or other
           Flavor miniature
           Chocolates),unwrapped
 ICING ============================
           Confectioners' sugar
           Milk
           Food color,colored
           Sprinkles as desired

Preparation time: 2 hours Cooking time: 15 to 20 minutes

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Have ready ungreased baking sheets.

2. Beat butter in large bowl of electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Beat in half of the flour, the sugar, vanilla and water until
thoroughly combined. Beat in the remaining flour.

3. Use a scant 1 tablespoon of dough and press it flat and thin with
your hands. Put a chocolate mint wafer in the center and fold the dough
over to completely cover each chocolate and to form a neat, rectangular
package. Pinch the edges to seal. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased
baking sheets.

4. Bake until bottoms are lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool a few
minutes on the baking sheets and then cool completely on wire racks.

5. For icing, mix confectioners' sugar and milk to make a thin icing;
color icing as desired. Use a small spatula to ice cookies. Decorate as
desired so cookies resemble Christmas packages.

      1994 3rd Place: Kolachkes
 
      Yield: 84 Servings
 
      2 C Unsalted butter,,Softened
      6 oz Cream cheese,,Softened
      3 C All-purpose flour,,Sifted
      6 T  Whipping cream
           Confectioners' sugar for
           Rolling and sprinkling
           Jam,jelly (or preserves of)
           Choice
           Cream cheese filling (opt)
           Nut filling (optional)

Preparation time: 2 1/2 hours Chilling time: Overnight Cooking time:
12 to 15 minutes

1. Beat butter and cream cheese in large bowl of electric mixer until
light.  Beat in flour and cream until well mixed. Divide dough into 4
portions. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have ungreased baking sheets ready.

3. Sprinkle the work surface and the rolling pin generously with
confectioners' sugar. Roll out 1 dough portion at a time to about 1/4-
inch thickness. Use a small (2-inch diameter) round cutter or glass to
cut out cookies. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets, leaving 1 or 2
inches between each cookie. Make a small depression in the center of
the cookies with your fingertip. Fill scantily with jam, jelly,
preserves, cheese or nut filling. (If you use too much filling it will
run out onto the baking sheet.) 4. Bake until bottoms are lightly
browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Sprinkle generously with
confectioners' sugar while still warm.

Cream cheese filling: Beat together 1 package (8 ounces) softened cream
cheese, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon pure
vanilla  extract until well mixed.

Nut filling: Cook 1 cup coarsely ground walnuts in 2 tablespoons butter
with  1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
until nuts  turn golden. Cool.