Holiday Baking

Cookie decorating party for the whole family

Jana Erwin — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:37:00 -0800

When baking with the whole family, there are many people to please. To ensure a stress-free and fun-filled cookie decorating party, try these tips!

How to make vegan holiday brownies

Audrey Luzader — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 06:00:00 -0800

With vegan diets popping up more and more lately, we want to make sure you’re prepared to accommodate all of your guests' dietary preferences this holiday season. So grab your apron and maybe a few helpers. These brownies are sure to satisfy any hungry holiday-maker, vegan and otherwise.

Chocolate snowball crinkles recipe

Brandi Bidot — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:15:00 -0800

These chocolaty sweets are commonly known as chocolate crinkles, which are a fudgy cookie rolled in powdered sugar and baked. These delicate treats are not going to last long. Perfect holiday snack for the serious chocolate cookie lover

Tips for baking with kids

Naomi de la Torre — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 07:00:00 -0800

Want to include your kids in the holiday planning and preparation? Why not set aside some time for baking holiday treats together? Kids love to help in the kitchen, and with a bit of planning this may start a new family tradition you can enjoy for years to come.

Must-try holiday cookies

Jana Erwin — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 01:59:00 -0800

This holiday season, try expanding your cookie collection with a simple cookie dough that’s the base for four incredibly different cookies. For the gourmands to the chocolate lovers, this quick mix has your holidays covered!

Tips and tricks for holiday food presentation

Jana Erwin — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 01:55:00 -0800

Tired of saying your food tastes better than it looks? Take your tried-and-true recipes to a whole new level this holiday season with a few simple tips that make all the difference in food presentation.

Chocolate raisin truffles

Jana Erwin — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 01:50:00 -0800

These easy truffles are filled with all the goodness of rum-soaked raisins and covered in caramelized walnuts! What better way to start off the holiday season!

Autumn fruit salad pie

Christina Caldwell — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 01:16:00 -0800

The holidays are all about celebrating traditions and time with family, but for previous generations, the holidays were also about celebrating a bountiful pre-winter harvest. Those harvests included delicious fruits, scrumptious squash and hearty potatoes that could be frozen to last throughout the harsh winter. This delectable dish combines autumnal fruits like apples, plums, raspberries, figs and more with crispy, buttery pie crust for a dessert that’s a perfect throwback for the holidays.

Chocolate raisin walnut pie

Christina Caldwell — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:20:00 -0800

When it comes to treats around the holidays, it’s usually a battle between Team Cake and Team Pie. Very few treats can please the whole crowd with a compromise. Combining the rich, smooth appeal of cake and the crusty, buttery crunch of pie, this chocolate raisin walnut pie is a tart, tasty piece of holiday heaven. Use this filling with a store-bought crust or create a flaky creation of your own with the recipe below. Either way, the chocolate, walnut and raisin filling is sure to be a hit at your next holiday party.

3 Holiday cheesecake recipes

Monica Beyer — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:00:00 -0800

Cheesecake has a long history and is a much desired and sought after dessert during the holiday season. From pumpkin and fudge-bottom to a super easy no-bake cherry cheesecake, check out our new spins on this holiday favorite.

Christmas cupcakes too pretty to eat: A baker's decor tips

Diane Mallek — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 03:00:00 -0800

'Tis the season to bake and decorate some of the most festive Christmas cupcakes around. But, a heavy hand and lack of know-how can turn an otherwise professional-looking Christmas cupcake into something that will find its home in the garbage can. To help get the best results, we turned to cupcake extraordinaire Sonia Waldman of Sonia's Sweet Perfections for some tips and tricks to getting perfect holiday cupcakes — every time.

Salted caramel shortbread bites

Brandy Clabaugh — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:15:00 -0800

This is the cookie you will dream about! Sweet and salty caramel overtop buttery and crumbly shortbread. Yes please!

5 fun cakes to make (and decorate) for Easter

Patricia Conte — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:00:00 -0700

Take a bit of time to make the springtime Easter holiday just a bit more special. Making -- and decorating -- cakes is a great way to celebrate.

4 Tips to keep your cookies fresh

Heather Barnett — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:24:00 -0800

Cookies are a staple of the holiday season. Most people make several varieties and the last thing you want is to mix the flavors, especially if you’re shipping them to family or friends. Make sure your cookies arrive in perfect condition, tasting exactly the way you wanted, whether you’re hand-delivering or shipping with these cookie storage tips!

Gluten-free holiday desserts

Michele Borboa, MS — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:36:00 -0800

The holiday season wouldn't be complete without a few indulgent, swoon-inducing desserts. Here are three easy gluten-free holiday dessert recipes that all of your holiday guests will enjoy, whether they follow a gluten-free diet or not.

Cherry-almond biscotti

Jamie Lothridge — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:16:00 -0800

These flavorful Italian cookies are packed with almonds and cherries and the perfect addition to your morning coffee. Make these biscotti your own by substituting in your favorite nuts and dried fruits.

Top Chef Fabio Viviani holiday party recipes

Michele Borboa, MS — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:58:00 -0800

Bring celebrity chef-caliber dishes to your Christmas table with scrumptiously simple holiday recipes from Chef Fabio Viviani, who is the brand spokesperson for Bertolli Olive Oil and will be starring in the upcoming season of Top Chef All-Stars, which begins December 1. Here are three of Chef Fabio’s favorite heart-healthy holiday party recipes.

How to say no during the holidays

Monica Beyer — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 12:32:00 -0800

Holidays are a time of togetherness, family, warmth and giving. Sometimes it can also be a time of stress, especially if you've bitten off more holiday cheer than you can chew. With family obligations, travel, shopping and cooking to do, it's no wonder that the holidays can be less than joyful for those of you who do it all. If you're feeling overwhelmed during this season of joy, check out the top 5 ways to say no gracefully !

Mint chocolate cookies

Jamie Lothridge — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:12:00 -0800

Delicious chocolate cookies combine with melted Andes Mints to create a festive sweet for any holiday party. These cookies are a must bake for your upcoming cookie exchange.

Spiced orange-cranberry crumble bars

Jamie Lothridge — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:21:00 -0800

Quintessential Thanksgiving flavors blend to create a rich, decadent holiday dessert. Fresh cranberries unite with the orange flavor, creating a magnificent combination of tart and sweet, perfect for your Thanksgiving menu.

Maple pecan bars

Jamie Lothridge — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:26:00 -0800

Delicious maple syrup combines with pecans to create a simple yet scrumptious dessert fit for any occasion. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream makes these bars extra special.