Have yourself a merry dessert party

Italian fig cookies

Imagine tasting dessert upon dessert (as many as the number of guests you invite) and exchanging recipes. All invitees must bring a dessert they prepared. If not, store bought goodies might turn out to be a revelation. Our party produced desserts from different countries. We had Chinese red bean cake, Spanish leche flan, Philippine casava pie, Vietnamese che - a red bean with seaweed drink simmered in coconut milk, Italian fig cookies, and American favorites - thick and rich chocolate cake, carrot cake, cheese cake and bucaroon cookies, among others.

Try a little piece of every tantalizer on the table and savor slowly. Sweet dreams!

Recipe for Bucaroons

1 cup shortening (2 sticks oleo)

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar (packed)

2 egs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp walnut flavoring (optional)

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups oatmeal

1 small (6oz) package chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts

Cream butter and sugar. Add egs, vanilla, and walnut flavoring. Beat. Sift together dry ingredients and add. Stir in oatmeal, choc. chips and nuts.

Drop by teaspoonfuls on greased sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

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Photo by Rosario Charie Albar

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