Wilbert brought home a small cookbook titled Capitol Cookies; it contains a cookie recipe for each state in the union. I quickly flipped to my own state (Washington), and found Marshmallow Cloud Cookies. My “future” state of Maine offered Marmalade Cookies (still not to my liking), but I finally found a few tasty treats from the states of North Carolina and North Dakota, respectively:

 

Russian Tea Balls

(From North Carolina)

 

2 C Crisco Mix (see below)

1 TBS orange juice

½ C powdered sugar

¾ C chopped nuts

 

Crisco Mix:

1 TBS salt

6 C flour

1 pound Crisco

 

In a large bowl blend the dough well. Form into one-inch balls; place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375° F for twelve to fifteen minutes. While hot, roll in the powdered sugar and serve.

 

Salted Nut Rolls

(From North Dakota)

 

1 package (12 ounces) peanut butter chips

1 package roasted and salted peanuts (24-ounce)

1 package miniature marshmallows (10-ounce)

1 C sweetened condensed milk

2 TBS margarine

 

Grease a 9x13-inch pan; layer half of the nuts on the bottom. Mix the rest of the ingredients (except for the peanuts) and melt together in a saucepan. Pour over the nuts in the pan; sprinkle the remaining peanuts over the top. Press down. Cool and cut into squares.