Kitchen Krafts:

Graduation Gifts

By Tricia Ann Williams

Graduation Gift

You will need: scissors, ruler, 8″ x 8″ (20 cm x 20 cm) square of black poster board, 2 1/2″ x 14″ (6 cm x 36 cm) strip of black poster board, tape, stapler, aluminum foil, treats, white paper, pen, and ribbon.

1. Staple ends of poster-board strip together to form circle. Center circle on poster-board square, a nd tape at four places inside strip.

2. Line hat with foil. Fill with treats (see recipes), then cover.

3. Carefully print a congratulations message on paper. Roll up paper and tie with ribbon. Lay scroll on top of hat and give to a graduate!

Coconut Fruit Drops

1 cup margarine

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup coconut

1 cup cherries, raisins, or candied fruit pieces

1. Cream together margarine, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

2. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. Add coconut, then mix well.

4. Drop by spoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Push piece of fruit into center of each cookie. Bake at 375° F (190° C) for 10–12 minutes or until golden brown.

Graham Cracker Toffee

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup margarine

1/2 cup sugar

24 graham cracker squares

1/2 cup chopped nuts

1. Bring butter, margarine, and sugar to a boil in saucepan and continue boiling for two minutes.

2. Arrange graham crackers on greased cookie sheet.

3. Pour butter mixture over crackers, then sprinkle with nuts.

4. Bake at 300° F (150° C) for 12 minutes.

5. Cool, then carefully remove squares from pan onto waxed paper to harden.

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney