Try some of these unusual combinations to liven up your cookie exchange and bring a smile to the family table this holiday season. They’re quick and easy and you probably won’t see them on any other table, but they’re so good.

COLA GINGER BREAD also known as

GINGER SODA BREAD

When I was a teenager, my grandmother would make them and bring them with her when she came to visit during the holidays. I can still remember the taste today. And now as an adult I know why mom and dad would only let us have one. It was the cherry on top!

To a packet of gingerbread mix add 3/4 cup of cola.

Mix well.

Add a tablespoon of instant coffee and 1 tablespoon of grated orange peel.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees.

The gingerbread is ready when it springs back when touched lightly in the center.

Cool for ten minutes.

Serve topped with whipped topping, or if you want the traditional topping for this treat, serve with hard sauce. The recipe follows.

Hard Sauce: To 1 cup of icing sugar add two tablespoons of brandy or whiskey. Stir until combined and sauce is firm. You may need to add additional sugar on a humid day, or a little less. Spread over cooled cookies. You can also decorate with candied ginger for an extra touch.

Biscuit Vinegar and Cocoa

Sounds weird, but these are delicious. Add a few colored sugar sprinkles to the frosting for a festive touch.

Sift three cups of flour, two cups of sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, and ten level tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder into a bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 3/4 cup salad oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Add to dry mix. Add up to 1/2 cup of water a little at a time. The mixture should be a smooth beater but not runny.

Place on a greased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Top with your favorite icing.

MAYONNAISE CAKE COOKIES

This may sound surprising, but mayonnaise is a mixture of eggs and oil, so it makes sense that during the depression my grandmother thought of using it to bake some family treats. To make them more festive for holidays and special events, Grandma would add some pecans and candied cherries to the batter.

Sift together 2 1/2 cups of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1 cup of sugar.

Cream 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 teaspoon each, vanilla, and almond extract.

Add the dry mix and stir until well blended.

Drop by heaping teaspoons and bake on a greased cookie sheet for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with your favorite chocolate glaze.

CORN MEAL COOKIES

Another family favorite, these will leave you wanting more. And more. And more!

will need:

1 cup of butter

1 1/2 cups of sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 cup of grapes

1/2 cup of finely chopped walnuts

1/4 cup dried apricots

1/4 cup dried cherries

3 flour cupcakes

1 cup of yellow cornmeal

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon of nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt.

Vegetable shortening. Add the sugar, eggs and extract and cream until smooth. Toss raisins in 1/2 cup flour and add. Sift remaining dry ingredients and add, mixing well.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto a greased baking sheet. Flattened with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool. Makes about 60 2-inch cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to a month.

FLAK-O-ROONS

Fun but delicious sound nonetheless. Prepare them and you will be an instant success.

3 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon of salt mixed in 1 cup of sugar

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups of rice flakes

2 1/4 cups coconut flakes

1 cup of chocolate chips

Beat the egg whites until stiff, gradually adding sugar until soft peaks form.

incorporate the cereal and the coconut.

Drop from a spoon onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Cool.

While it cools, melt the chocolate chips. Using a spoon, she drizzles the melted chocolate over the cookies in a nice pattern. Make about 3 dozen cookies.

Optional: You can use white baking chips or a thin frosting tinted with food coloring if you like.

I hope your family enjoys them as much as mine.