Baking around the Holidays can be a little time consuming with all the hustle and bustle of shopping, going to school plays, making your lists and checking them twice . . .

But you don't have to give up on home made treats just because your time is short. Bar cookies can be a great timesaver.

A cross between a cake and a cookie, bar cookies can be prepared weeks ahead of time. Just use the throw-away aluminum pans - make the dough ahead of time, cover and freeze, and pop in the oven a day or two before you need them. Just allow them to thaw for 30 minutes before baking.

They will look wonderful with an assortment of goodies on a tray at Christmas time, or make some for gifting!

Some favorite bar cookie recipes:

Apricot and Milk Chocolate Bars made with plumped dried apricots, oats and milk chocolate chips, layered to make a colorful presentation.	Grandpa Harvey's Brownies Rich, moist and chocolatey	Orange Choco-Chip Bars Unsweetened orange drink mix and chocolate chips mixed with just the right amount of coconut