Healthful Breakfast Treats Let You Wake Up To Paradise

(NAPSI)-More and more Americans are waking up to a nutritious, delicious fact: Eating macadamia nuts every day can improve blood cholesterol levels, according to a study conducted at a leading university.

Macadamia nuts are cholesterol-free and provide protein, fiber, vitamin B6, thiamine, magnesium, copper, selenium, phosphorus and manganese. What's more, research suggests that nuts contain naturally occurring plant compounds, or phytochemicals, which may also be good for your health.

To help you enjoy macadamia nuts all day long, the experts at Hershey offer these recipes for a breakfast or brunch with a tropical flair:

TROPICAL PARADISE SCONES

3¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup sugar

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup Mounds® Sweetened Coconut Flakes

1 cup Hershey's® Premier White Chips

½ cup Mauna Loa® Macadamia Nut Baking Pieces

2 cups chilled whipping cream

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 to 3 teaspoons freshly grated lime peel

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Additional sugar

Heat oven to 375° F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets. Stir together flour, ½ cup sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Stir in coconut, white chips and macadamia nuts. Stir whipping cream, lime juice and lime peel into flour mixture, stirring just until ingredients are moistened. Turn mixture out onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently until soft dough forms (about 2 minutes). Divide dough into three equal balls. One ball at a time, flatten into 7-inch circle; cut into 8 triangles. Transfer triangles to prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm or cool. 24 scones.

WHITE CHIP AND MACADAMIA NUT COFFEE CAKE

Crumb Topping (recipe follows)

6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup packed light-brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1¼ cups milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

White Drizzle (recipe follows)

Heat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Prepare Crumb Topping; set aside. Beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until well blended. Stir together flour, baking powder and cinnamon; beat into butter mixture. Gradually add milk, egg and vanilla, beating until thoroughly blended. Pour ½ batter into prepared pan; top with ½ Crumb Topping. Gently spread remaining batter over topping. Sprinkle remaining topping over batter. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely. Prepare White Drizzle; drizzle over cake.

Crumb Topping: Combine ⅔ cup packed light-brown sugar, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 6 tablespoons firm butter or margarine, 1 cup Hershey's® Premier White Chips and ½ cup Mauna Loa® Macadamia Nut Baking Pieces in medium bowl. Mix until crumbly.

White Drizzle: Beat together ¾ cup powdered sugar, 2 to 3 teaspoons milk, 1 teaspoon softened butter and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract. If necessary, add additional milk ½ teaspoon at a time until of desired consistency.

12 to 16 servings.

You can find more information and recipes online at www.hersheys.com.

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Planning A Sports Party That Will Score With Your Guests

(NAPSI)-Hosting a successful sports party involves more than fun and games. Fortunately, a little bit of planning can help to remove much of the stress and help you create a party that will be a hit with your guests. Here are some tips:

• When it comes to televisions on the day of the big game, more really is better. Set up as many TV sets as you have available around the party area.

• Have at least one space reserved for guests who aren't interested in the game and would like a quieter place to talk.

• You can also set up one room with a television for serious sports fans who don't want to be distracted by conversation.

• Plan on plenty of beverages and don't forget the nonalcoholic options such as juices, waters and sodas.

• If you feel you have to decorate, think in terms of team colors, balls, uniforms and pennants. But don't knock yourself out. Most eyes will be more impressed by the clear reception on your television.

• Have lots of paper towels, napkins and stain cleaner handy in the event things get really exciting.

• Don't prepare recipes that will keep you locked in the kitchen all night. You should enjoy the game and the party, too.

• Keep the food simple and portable. Think buffet items, appetizers and snacks.

For example, you might want baked potato skins, pizza slices and a variety of chips and dips. Plus, there's always cheese and crackers, cold cuts and sandwich fixings so guests can build their own. Don't forget raw vegetables and pieces of fruit.

If you are looking for a snack that's heart healthy and satisfying, consider macadamia nuts. They are a source of monounsaturated fat, which, when eaten regularly as part of a heart-healthy diet, may help displace sources of cholesterol-raising saturated fats in the diet.

In addition to their great taste, nuts are cholesterol free and contain important nutrients including protein and fiber. They can also be a delicious way to get vitamins such as B6 and thiamine and minerals like magnesium, copper, selenium, phosphorus and manganese.

While they're tasty on their own, they can also serve as the key ingredient in an elegant snack aimed at your guests' sweet tooth:

MACADAMIA TOFFEE CRUNCH

Ingredients:

1 cup Hershey's® Special Dark® Chocolate Chips or Hershey's® Premier White Chips

½ cup Mauna Loa®

Macadamia Baking Pieces

¾ cup (1½ sticks) butter

¾ cup sugar

3 tablespoons light corn syrup

Directions:

1. Line 8- or 9-inch square or round pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan; butter foil. Stir together baking chips and nuts. Reserve 2 tablespoons baking chip and nut mixture; sprinkle remaining chip mixture over bottom of prepared pan.

2. Combine butter, sugar and corn syrup in medium-heavy saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to medium; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Cook and stir until mixture turns a light caramel color (about 15 minutes).

3. Immediately pour mixture over chip and nut mixture in pan, spreading evenly. Sprinkle reserved 2 tablespoons chip mixture over surface. Cool. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm. Remove from pan; peel off foil. Break into pieces. Store tightly covered in cool, dry place. Makes 1 pound of candy.

To learn more, visit www.hersheys.com.

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Bars And Brownies Made With Macadamia Nuts Are Nutritious And Delicious

(NAPSI)-Here's mouthwatering news: You can give family and friends decadent desserts with good-for-you nuts in them.

Macadamia nuts are a concentrated source of monounsaturated fat, which, when eaten regularly, may help displace sources of cholesterol-raising saturated fats in the diet.

In addition to their great taste, the nuts are cholesterol free and contain important nutrients including protein and fiber. They're also a delicious way to get vitamins such as B6 and thiamine, and minerals including magnesium, copper, selenium, phosphorus and manganese. What's more, research suggests that nuts contain naturally occurring plant compounds, or phytochemicals, which may have health benefits as well.

Here are two recipes you may care to try:

CHUNKY MACADAMIA BARS

¾ cup (1½ sticks) butter or margarine, softened

1 cup packed light brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2⅓ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1¾ cups (10-oz. pkg.) Hershey's® Mini Kisses® Brand Milk Chocolates, divided

¾ cup coarsely chopped Mauna Loa® Macadamia Nuts

Vanilla glaze (recipe follows)

Heat oven to 375°F. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large bowl until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Add flour and baking soda; blend well. Stir in 1 cup baking pieces and nuts; press into ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining ¾ cup chocolates. Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Drizzle vanilla glaze over top; allow to set. Cut into bars. About 24 bars.

Vanilla glaze: Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl; stir until smooth. About 1/3 cup glaze.

SUPREME CHOCOLATE SAUCEPAN BROWNIES

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine

2 cups sugar

½ cup Hershey's® Cocoa

4 eggs, beaten

⅔ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Hershey's® Special Dark® Chocolate Chips or Hershey's® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

½ cup Mauna Loa® Macadamia Baking Pieces

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Add sugar and cocoa; stir to blend. Remove from heat. Stir in eggs. Stir together flour, salt and baking soda; stir into chocolate mixture. Stir in vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan and begin to crack slightly; do not underbake. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. About 24 brownies.

You can find more information and a variety of recipes online at www.hersheys.com.

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Homemade Baked Goods Even Better With Macadamia Nuts

(NAPSI)-Few things say "I'm thinking of you" at holiday time like homemade cookies and shortbread. Here are two recipes, each made with that nifty nut, the macadamia.

CHOCOLATE SNOWBALL COOKIES

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

¾ cup packed light-brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup Hershey's® Special Dark® Chocolate Cocoa or Hershey's® Cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

3 tablespoons milk

¾ cup finely chopped Mauna Loa® macadamia nuts or almonds

¾ cup Heath Bits 'O Brickle Toffee Bits

Powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Beat butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl until blended. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda; add with milk to butter mixture until well blended. Stir in nuts and toffee bits.

2. Refrigerate until firm enough to handle, at least 2 hours. Heat oven to 350° F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely; roll in powdered sugar. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

KISSABLES® CHOCOLATE CANDIES MACADAMIA SHORTBREAD

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

⅓ cup packed light-brown sugar

2½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup coarsely chopped Mauna Loa® Dry Roasted Macadamias

½ cup Hershey's® Kissables® chocolate candy in red, green and white colors

½ cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons milk

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350° F.

2. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl until creamy. Gradually mix in flour and macadamia nuts. Knead mixture until it holds together and can be pressed into a ball.

3. Divide dough into 4 portions. Shape dough on a lightly floured surface into four 10-inch long rolls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Make a ¼-inch deep grove down the center of each roll. Cut each roll diagonally into 1-inch slices, but do not separate slices. Press 3 to 4 chocolate candies into groove of each slice.

4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until surface and edges are lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes on cookie sheet on wire rack. Recut slices; cool completely.

5. Stir together powdered sugar and milk; stir until smooth. If necessary, add additional milk, ½ teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency. Drizzle over cookies; allow drizzle to set.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

For these and other recipes, visit www.hersheys.com.

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