Sweets for a Tea Party

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Phyllo Flowers

All Natural Butter Flavor Cooking Spray
1/2 cup strawberry preserves
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup blueberries
Low-fat vanilla soy ice cream
3 tablespoons bread crumbs
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
6 sheets thawed phyllo dough*

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine bread crumbs and sugar in small bowl; set aside. Lay a sheet of phyllo on work surface; spray with cooking spray for 2 seconds. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of bread crumb mixture over dough. Repeat layering using all sheets. Gently cut stacked phyllo into 8 equal squares. Quickly spritz 8 muffin-pan cups with cooking spray for 1/2 second each. Place each stack into tins, pushing dough inward to form a cup. Carefully fan layers into "petals". Bake 5 minutes or until golden. Meanwhile, melt preserves in saucepan over low heat; stir in berries and set aside. Remove flowers from tins; place 1 scoop frozen ice cream into each flower, top with warm fruit sauce. Makes 8 servings.

*Keep phyllo covered with damp paper towel and plastic wrap to prevent drying.

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Carob Fudge

1 cup carob chips
1 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 cup chopped walnuts

Place carob chips in a large bowl and melt in microwave (or in a double boiler). Add peanut butter, maple syrup, and walnuts and mix until thoroughly combined. Pat batter into a lightly oiled 8 x 8 pan. Chill. Cut into tiny squares and serve.

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Oat Cookies with Almond Filling

3/4 cup vegan margarine, room temperature
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup Sucanat
1/3 cup quick rolled oats
1 tsp. pure vanilla
5 oz. canned almond paste

In a large bowl, combine vegan margarine, flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, oats, and vanilla. Mix until all ingredients are combined. Place one teaspoon of dough and flatten into a 1/4 inch thick circle (about 2" diameter). Place a dab (about 1/4 tsp.) of almond paste in the center of the circle and fold in half, sealing edges with a fork. Repeat process for additional cookies. Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 7 - 10 minutes or until golden brown.