Holiday Recipes

Linzer cookies built on a buttery ground-almond shortbread, scented with vanilla, almond extract, and a hint of cinnamon. Each cookie holds a thumbprint of lemon-spiked raspberry jam, finished with sliced almonds and powdered sugar.

Crispy sesame chicken just like takeout: chicken cubes in a light, crackly batter deep-fried golden, then coated in a glossy sweet-and-tangy sesame sauce and showered with toasted sesame seeds. Serve over rice.

Holiday brunch egg casserole loaded with diced ham, Monterey Jack, cottage cheese, and green chiles. A make-ahead crowd-feeder that bakes up puffy and golden for Christmas morning.

Banana walnut Bundt cake with whole wheat flour and a bright orange glaze, made in the microwave. A tropical holiday showstopper that comes together in under 35 minutes.

Chocolate chip pecan cookie dough shaped into festive wreath rings, baked golden, iced in white, and decorated with red and green gumdrop flowers. Makes 4 wreaths for holiday gifting, cookie swaps, or edible centerpieces.

Twisted peppermint candy cane cookies with red and white dough, sprinkled with crushed candy while still warm. A festive holiday baking project that kids and adults both love shaping by hand.

Christmas Lizzies are boozy Southern fruitcake cookies loaded with candied cherries, raisins, dates, pecans, and citrus zest, soaked in whiskey. Make them weeks ahead and drizzle with spirits to age.

Jalapeño, raspberry and pecans blend beautifully in this thumbprint cookie from Anna Marie Bleich of California, Mo.

Nachos is definitely one popular Mexican food, and it's a perfect appetizer for party, make this luxury nachos to start celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

Pecan pie bars: shortbread crust topped with classic gooey pecan pie filling, baked in a sheet pan and cut into 36 holiday bars. All the flavor of pecan pie, none of the slicing drama.

Poppy seed bread with almond and vanilla, finished with a tangy orange-nutmeg glaze. Tender quick bread that doubles as a holiday gift baked in canning jars.

This traditional bread served in Mexico celebrates the Epiphany! Usually hidden inside is a coin or toy baby and whoever finds it gets to make the tamales for Candelmas!

Swedish pepparkakor with molasses boiled and mixed into a spiced butter dough, chilled overnight, rolled thin, and baked crisp. A classic Scandinavian holiday cookie making 10 dozen.

Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth piped shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate. Only 5 ingredients and no eggs needed for these classic Viennese Fingers.

Pumpkin layer cake with cooked fresh pumpkin, warm cinnamon, and a tender, moist crumb. A two-layer Thanksgiving and Christmas cake that's lighter than spice cake but just as comforting.

Pumpkin pie sweetened with honey and molasses, lightened with whipped cream folded into the custard, in a buttery short pastry crust. A holiday classic with a silkier-than-usual filling.