Cookie Contest...boooo yeahhh...*UPDATED*

Today we had a holiday cookie bake off/contest etc. You are currently reading the blog of a winner..that's right..a real bona fide winner.

There were three categories and I took two of them...

1. Winner of Best-Tasting: Mint Cookie Candies, by March to the Sea
2. Winner of Best Presentation: Angel Wings, by (not me)
3. Winner of Most Original: Santa Claus Cookies, by March to the Sea
(by an overwhelming 50% vote!!)

Okay..here is at least the recipes. i never took pictures, someone at work did so I have been asking..I know you are all DYING for them..but here in their glory are my two WINNAHS!

Mint Cookie Candies
12 ounces white candy coating, chopped
6 teaspoons shortening, divided
1/4 teaspoons green food coloring
4 mint cream filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
2 packages (4.67 ounces each) mint Andes Candies

In microwave safe bowl, melt candy coating and 4 teaspoons shortening, stir until smooth. Stir in food coloring. Pour evenly into miniature muffin cup liners. Sprinkle w/cookie crumbs. In another microwave safe bowl, melt mint candies and remaining shortening; stir until smooth. Pour over cookie crumbs. Let stand until set. Yield - 4 dozen

Santa Claus Cookies
2 packages (6oz each) white baking chocolate chopped
1 package of Nutter Butter Cookies (1lb)
Red Colored Sugar
32 vanilla or white chocolate chips
64 mini/or large, chocolate chips
32 red hot candies

In heavy sauce pan over low heat melt white chocolate stirring occasionally*.
Dip one end of each cookie in to melted chocolate. Place on wire rack.
For Santa's Hat, sprinkle red sugar on top part of chocolate. Press one vanilla (or white chip) off center on hat for pom pom, let stand until set.

Dip other end of each cookie in to melted chocolate for beard, leaving the center of the cookie uncovered. Place on wire rack. With a dab of melted chocolate, attach chocolate chips for eyes and the red hot nose. Place on wax paper until chocolate sets. Yield : 32 cookies.

* I actually used 3 bars worth of Ghirardelli White Chocolate Baking Bars. They were not quite 5oz. each so I melted about 1 bar and a half for the top and then the second bar and a half for the bottom. There was a fair amount left over.