Next Wednesday is Administrative Professionals Day, a chance to thank coworkers who ensure the office runs smoothly. Treating them to lunch is a nice idea, but you can add a personal touch by preparing homemade goodies.

The following recipes are fast and easy to prepare, so it won't take a lot of effort to express your appreciation — and they taste so good, you might want to make a batch for yourself.

CHEESECAKE COOKIES

1 cup flour
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl of electric mixer, combine flour, butter and brown sugar. Mix until fine particles are formed. Stir in nuts. Reserve 1 cup for topping.

Press remainder in ungreased 8-inch square pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In same mixer bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Beat well. Spread over partially baked crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Cool; cut into squares. Yields 16 squares.

Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 170 calories, 12 g total fat, 6 g saturated fat, 40 mg cholesterol, 75 mg sodium, 15 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 3 g protein

FRIENDSHIP BROWNIES

3 eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9-inch square pan. In small bowl, beat eggs, oil and vanilla.

In large bowl, mix together flour, sugars, salt, baking powder and cocoa.

Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Add chocolate chips and nuts; spread batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool and cut into pieces. Yields 16 squares.

Approximate nutritional analysis, per serving: 210 calories, 15 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 40 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 11 g sugar, 3 g protein

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For more recipes from Hawaiian Electric Co., visit www.heco.com.