Holiday Cookie Surprises

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups Quaker Oats (Quick or Old Fashioned, uncooked)
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Approximately 48 assorted bite-size candies
Colored sugar or candy sprinkles

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Beat margarine and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, oats and salt; mix well.

2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Press desired candy piece into center of each ball; shape dough around candy so it is completely hidden. Roll cookies in colored sugar or candy sprinkles until evenly coated. Place 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until set and bottoms are light golden brown. Remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

For Gift Giving: Pack in holiday cookie tins or make cookie bundles. To make bundles, arrange a few cookies in the center of a square of food-safe wrap. Form into a bundle and tie closed at top with ribbon.

Variations
For powdered sugar coated cookies, bake uncoated cookies as directed above. Remove to wire rack; cool 5 minutes. Place about 3/4 cup powdered sugar in plastic bag. Gently shake 3 to 4 cookies in powdered sugar until coated. Repeat with remaining cookies. Sift remaining powdered sugar over cookies. Cool completely.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Quaker Oats - used with permission.