Despite its name, white chocolate doesn't contain any chocolate solids. It's a confectionery product made of cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, vanilla or other flavors. It melts at a much lower temperature than chocolate and burns easily, so try melting it in your microwave on the lowest power level with a drop of vegetable oil for just a few seconds at a time. The oil adds shine and helps keep the white chocolate from scorching.

Make your holiday cookie-baking a family affair by inviting your children to help out. They'll love getting their hands dirty by rolling the dough into balls just before baking.

White chocolate gingersnap cookies

1 1/2 cups Crisco, melted and cooled

2 cups sugar, plus extra for rolling

2 eggs

1/2 cup molasses

4 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. clove

1 tsp. ginger

2 tsp. cinnamon

white chocolate, melted for dipping

Preheat oven to 350. Beat melted Crisco, sugar, eggs and molasses together in a bowl. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Chill dough for 15 minutes. Roll into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cookies cool, then dip in melted white chocolate.

Chef Danielle is a personal chef at Great Taste--A Personal Chef Service. E-mail her at ChefDanielle@GreatTastePCS.com.