Winter Strawberries

This is a favorite Christmas tradition in our family - a kind of no-bake cookie which is very distinctive, messy to make but a must-have on the cookie plate!

It also just happens to be gluten free, as far as I know.

Winter Strawberries

1 1/2 c finely chopped walnuts (or use a nut grinder!)
1 1/2 c shredded coconut
3 3-oz packages powdered strawberry gelatin - do NOT make the jello! Just use the powder!
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla

1/2 c red sugar (or just use a fork to mix a few drops of food coloring into some plain sugar.)

Green gummy candies (We always use "Spearmint Leaves, but they can be hard to find sometimes... we've gotten them at Walgreens the last few years.)

1. Combine nuts, coconut, powdered gelatin, condensed milk, and vanilla, and mix together thoroughly. Smush it all down into a ball, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.

2. Shape into "strawberries" - gouge out a spoonful of dough, roll it into a ball and pinch the end with your fingers, rolling it to get the right shape.

3. Roll "strawberries" in red sugar.

4. Cut spearmint candy into small strips for "stems" and insert them into the wide end of the berries - use the tip of a paring knife or a skewer to poke a hole. Roll the stems in a little sugar first if they are too sticky to manage easily.

Enjoy!

A note about these - store them separately from your other cookies, unless you want everything to end up with a strong strawberry flavor!