Coconut Jays Recipe

 "This is a Christmas favorite of ours."  Original recipe yield: 24 cookies.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 cups flaked coconut
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Melt butter in saucepan. Remove from heat. Add sugar and coconut. Mix well. Shape into balls.
Make indent in center of each and place on cookie sheet. Place half a maraschino cherry in indent. Fill with melted chocolate. Chill until firm. Store in refrigerator.

Macadamia Clusters

 "I made these for Christmas '98 for work and had to make more for return trips back to work. They are very easy and decadent looking."  Original recipe yield: 2 dozen.

INGREDIENTS:

8 ounces vanilla flavored confectioners' coating
2 (3.5 ounce) packages macadamia nuts
1/2 tablespoon orange zest

DIRECTIONS:

Place candy coating in microwave safe bowl; microwave uncovered on high for 40 to 60 seconds. Stir every 30 seconds, until smooth.
Stir in nuts and orange zest. Drop mixture by teaspoons onto waxed paper.
Allow to sit until set, store covered in refrigerator. If desired, melt approximately 1 ounce semisweet chocolate and drizzle over.