2010 Cookie Contest: Mrs. Rahm's Gum Drop Cookies

Submitted by Jodi Thompson

"This recipe came from my high school home economics teacher Margaret Rahm. It is unusual and very festive."

Cream:

1 cup margarine

4 eggs (beaten)

2 cups brown sugar (packed)

Add:

1 3/4 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. extract (no flavor listed, I guess use what you like, maybe orange extract, given the frosting flavor)

Stir in:

3/4 cup nuts

1 cup chopped gum drops that have been dredged in 1/4 cup flour (not part of the flour from above)

Spread in a greased 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Frost while hot.

Frosting:

3 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. orange juice

1 Tbsp. grated orange rind

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Blend well and spread over the hot cookies in pan. Cool and cut into bars. Store in airtight container.