Eileen’s Healthy Holiday Cookies
Every weekday morning, we are visited by a wonderful angel who takes over the morning hustle and bustle of our household, so that my husband and I can fly off onto our morning commutes in time for work. Her name is Eileen.
Eileen is truly incredible. A friend of ours for many years and a seasoned Mom of three teenagers, Eileen comes armed with new puzzles, books, games and other learning tools and there is a lesson plan for my kids every day. She leads my kids through activities and even sees that beds get made, hair is in place and any leftover dish we may have missed gets in the dishwasher. It’s like having a New Jersey-born Mary Poppins in my house every day. We are truly blessed.
This week, Eileen even left us with a batch of her fabulous home-made Christmas Nut Clusters. I took one look at her recipe and saw that it got great NuVal scores! What a wonderful alternative to traditional Christmas cookies. I’ll let Eileen take over from here – just like we pass the baton in our house each morning. Take it away Eileen!
Eileen here! My family has enjoyed Christmas Nut Clusters for many years – especially my Dad. I would make him a large batch and he would freeze them and enjoy one a night for many weeks – it drove my Mom crazy!
Here’s the recipe:
- 1 12 oz bag Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips (NuVal score of 13)
- 1 8 oz bag chopped nuts (original recipe calls for cashews (NuVal score of 25), but I use whatever I have on hand – almonds (NuVal score of 81), walnuts (NuVal score of 82), pecans (NuVal score of 65))
- 1 3/4 cup raisins (NuVal score of 87)
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest
Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave, stir in remaining ingredients. Drop by tablespoon onto waxed paper lined cookie-sheet. Leave on counter to set-up (usually 1 hour) or in fridge. Store in airtight container. Keeping in fridge or freezer will extend freshness. Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles to decorate for Christmas or any holiday.
Melissa here again. These nut-clusters were to die for! I highly recommend them – especially if you are headed to a party this weekend. Or keep them in your freezer, as Eileen suggests, and pop them in your mouth when that cookie urge strikes. Happy Weekend Everybody!
Posted by: Melissa 9 comments
Posted in: Christmas Cookies
Tags: Christmas Cookies
on Dec 10th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Melissa you really are blessed with a beautiful family, a great support system, and from where I’m sitting…a great plate of cookies!
on Dec 10th, 2010 at 9:50 am
These are Great! Hurray for your wonderful Mary Poppins!
on Dec 10th, 2010 at 11:26 am
I’m printing this off so I can make them for the bus driver and teachers! Thanks!!
on Dec 10th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
wow – sounds easy and delicious!
on Dec 10th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Oh these look so easy and so good. I wish you had this blog before I went to my cookie party on Tuesday. I love it!
on Dec 10th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Oooh! YUM! I have a recipe for the same sort of thing, but am guessing that they won’t have as good of Nu Val Score. I’ll have to try these! My recipe uses dried cranberries instead of raisins and pistachios instead of walnuts. Otherwise the same. Any idea how those score, Melissa?
on Dec 10th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Indeed Eileen is wonderful,she has a special sensitivity to her in both dealing with young and old(and probably in between).
So it does not surprise me that she has some pretty interesting recipes. BTW… the children speak fondly of Eileen telling Grandma “Eileen did this” or “Eileen has us do this before we go to school”. Thank you Eileen.My husband would love that freezer trick.
on Dec 13th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
I think I’ve had those cookies and they are great! What kid (and adult) doesn’t love Eileen?
on Dec 19th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Just made these tonight, easy and so delicious…this recipe is a keeper!