Rum Balls

1 3/4 cups vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
1 cup ground pecans
1 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 cup light rum
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar (for dipping)

Mix all ingredients, except for 1/3 cup confectioners sugar. Roll into one inch balls. Roll balls in remaining confectioners sugar to coat.

Makes About 2 1/2 Dozen

Quick & Easy Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge

12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
12 oz. peanut butter
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

In a 1-1/2 quart microwave-proof bowl, melt chocolate and peanut butter on high power for 3 minutes. Stir well. Add milk and stir until well blended. Pour mixture into 8x8 dish lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate to chill.

Makes approximately 42 pieces

Honey Balls for Passover

1/2 C honey
1/3 C sugar
1 1/4 C chopped walnuts
1/4 C matzo farfel
2 tsp. grated orange or lemon zest

In a medium sized saucepan over low heat, heat the honey and sugar to boiling. Stir constantly. Add the nuts and the farfel and stir until the mixture is thick. Add the grated zest. Remove from heat and drop by teaspoonful onto a wet cookie sheet or wax paper, forming small balls. Cool.Variation: Roll the balls in finely grated nuts or coconut.

Makes 18-24

Marshmallow Puffs

36 large marshmallows
1-1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 C chunky peanut butter
2 T butter or margarine

Line a 9-in. square pan with foil and butter the foil. Arrange marshmallows in pan. In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Pour over the marshmallows. Chill completely. Cut between marshmallows.

Makes 3 dozen

Perfect Peppermint Patties

1 lb. confectioners' sugar
3 T butter or margarine, softened
2 to 3 tsp. peppermint extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 C evaporated milk
2 C (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
2 T shortening

In a bowl, combine first four ingredients. Add milk and mix well. Roll into 1-in balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Chill for 20 minutes. Flatten with a glass to 1/4". Chill for 30 minutes. In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening. Dip patties and place on waxed paper to harden.

Makes about 5 dozen

Triple Chocolate Fudge

3 1/3 C sugar
1 C butter
1 C packed dark brown sugar
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
32 large marshmallows, halved
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
2 milk chocolate candy bars (7 oz each), broken
2 squares (1 oz each) semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 C chopped pecans

In a large saucepan, combine first four ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a rapid boil and boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in marshmallows until melted. Stir in chocolate chips until melted. Add chocolate bars and baking chocolate and stir until melted. Fold in vanilla and pecans. Pour into a greased 15" x 10" x 1" baking pan. Chill until firm. Cut into squares.

Makes about 5 1/2 pounds

Foolproof Dark Chocolate Fudge

3 C semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed
milk dash
salt
1 C chopped walnuts
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

In heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in walnuts and vanilla. Spread evenly into aluminum foil lined 8 or 9 inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.