Christmas Cookies?-Gum Drop Gems

Hi everyone! I copied this recipe years ago and thought it was time to give it a try.

Why does this pic make "as visions of sugar plums danced in their heads" pop to mind:@)

Gum Drop Gems

While this recipe was posted on a cookie exchange, it seems more like cake to me, but it's very pretty!

Hope you love it if you try it:@)

Gum Drop Gems
3/4 C Carnation evaporated milk
1 C finely chopped assorted fruit gumdrops
1/2 C shortening
1/2 C sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 C sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C chopped nuts

Directions:
Pour the milk over the gumdrops, set aside.
Beat the shortening, sugar egg, and vanilla until well mixed.
Mix dry ingredients in bowl and add to egg mixture.
Add gumdrops mixture and stir well, add nuts stir well.
Spread into a buttered 9" square pan and bake at 350 degrees 25-30 minutes.

While still warm frost with:
1 1/2 C sifted powdered sugar
2 tblsp butter, room temp
2 tblsp evaporated milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Mix well, frost cookies, garnish with extra gumdrops.

Pudge Says:
The hardest part of this recipe is cutting the sticky gum drops! Christmas music helps... oh, and let me save you a minute, I did Google gum drops and food processor... yea, don't do that!

My Notes:

• When I hear "gum drop" I automatically think of Spice Drops... That's what I used, but I think it really should be made with the fruity gum drops. 
• I rolled the gumdrops out with a rolling pin and used the wide opening of a cake decorating tip to cut out the circle decorations for the top.
• This is very sweet and very different!

I'm joining:

Holiday Treat Hook-Up

Thanksgiving Challenge: Today I'm thankful for cookies, they bring out the kid in all of us:@)