So, this is NOT really a salad, but more of a dessert dish you can eat with your meal....the same way many people eat cranberry sauce with their meal. It is a great dish for the holidays for that reason. This dish is honestly great for anytime of year. It sets up like a creamy textured jello. I absolutely love it! You can put it in a serving dish to set up or individual cups/dishes if you want to jazz it up and make it pretty and personalized for guests. My grandmother made it and the first time I had it, I was about 10 years old. I remember thinking it had shredded carrots in it (it was the cheddar cheese), but knew I liked it. It didn't seem like veggies should be in my dessert (unless it was carrot cake.) Later she told me it was cheese....I was really confused, because it didnt' taste like cheese, but I really liked it. She actually gave me this recipe when I was about 15 years old. She and I were talking about my first time eating it and how confused I was. I told her I would like to make it one day. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I made it. I really treasure this recipe because it was from her and she is not with us anymore. I hope you enjoy it! REMEMBER...you can add or take out any of the fruit or nuts and replace with what you like. I sometimes add shredded coconut to mine as well.

One of my favorite drinks (other than coffee...my all time and anytime favorite,) is hot chocolate! Of course it is very comforting to sip on it when there is a chill in the air, but to me it is perfect year round. The recipe I provided is a basic recipe, however you can jazz it up with few drops of peppermint oil, add carmel on top with whipped cream, sprinkly crushed candy peppermints on top or add a peppermint stick to it as a stir for the holidays. Making anything chocolate spicy is now a pretty big trend....so fill free to add a little cayenne if that's your thing. Truly there endless things you can add to customize it to you. Another fun thing to do with hot chocolate when you have guests or just during the holiday seasons, is to create a hot chocolate bar. Once you have made your hot chocolate, you will put it into a beverage warmer of your choice and then place some yummy ingredient options near the beverage warmer, therefore creating a hot chocolate bar! Have fun with this recipe and make it your own!

So there is a cute story behind these cookies. When I was in 3 years old and in pre-school, we had to decorate the cover of what would be a recipe book made from a collaboration of recipes from all the mom's of the children. I actually remember using the paint and making it. My mom kept that recipe book my whole life, up until she passed away in 2011. This was the only recipe that I can remember her ever using out of if. I thought it was neat that she kept it all those years just for this recipe (and because I made it.). These are always a hit around the holidays! If you choose to print out this recipe, it would make a great gift. Make a small batch of cookies, place in a cute pastry box, tie with a ribbon and include the recipe print out.! Inexpensive, but very meaningful!