After a couple of these, Santa'll have to let Rudolph do the driving.
Leave these high-octane holiday cookies for ol' St. Nick and he'll be a bleary-eyed wreck before he's halfway up the chimney. And since they're made with vegan vanilla wafers (from Mediterranean Island at 44th and Kalamazoo), he won't have to worry about getting the business from Dasher, Dancer, Donner and Blitzen.

You will need...
Six ounces vegan vanilla wafers
1 cup confectioners sugar + extra for rolling
2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 cup chopped nuts (we combine almonds and pecans)
1/2 cup whiskey or rum
2 Tablespoons corn syrup

Here's what to do...
(1) In a food processor, crush vanilla wafers. (2) Transfer to a large bowl and add sugar, cocoa, and nuts. (3) Combine rum and corn syrup and pour slowly over dry ingredients. Mix. (4) Refrigerate until firm. (5) Shape into balls. (6) Roll in confectioners sugar. Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen.

Add them to a festive array of other holiday favorites, invite your friends, and take away their car keys. A very MERRY Christmas indeed!