Thanks, everyone, for the great ideas! I honestly hadn't considered making fancy cookies, so that's a fantastic idea. Same with making a trifle or tarts, and especially mini-cheesecakes (vanilla wafers as the crust, you say, Lynn? That's intriquing; expect an email <g>)
I emailed the hosts to have them clarify what they were looking for (like whether it had to be finger food, or would something like a trifle work) and to see if they knew what everyone else was bringing (no sense going to WalMart for mini-cupcake pans if someone else is already doing mini-cheesecakes). So far, I haven't heard back, but hopefully I will soon.
Right now, the fancy cookie idea has got me thinking, though ... my grandmother used to make these incredible apricot cookies at Christmas every year when I was small and they are very fancy. A cream-cheese based dough filled with homemade apricot jam, then baked and sprinkled with powdered sugar. The kind of cookies that make people's eyes open wide when they take a bite, then do Lois's moan from the date in Lucky Leon. And they aren't even chocolate. <g> Hmm, this might be a good option, and I already have the recipe. In fact, I just made them for Christmas and had my Christmas Eve dinner party guests raving so why didn't I think of it before??
Thanks for the great ideas, and links/recipes!
Kathy
