Holiday Cookies & Cakes

As soon as you reach for a cozy sweater to greet the first frost or snuggle up under a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate, it can only mean one thing—holiday baking season is here! For many of us, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. The magic of colored sprinkles, the first bite of a chewy gingerbread cookie, the sweet swirls of frosting atop a holiday spice cake—no winter would be complete without a stunning array of festive goodies. . Choose from easy drop cookies, fancy cut-outs, mouthwatering bars or showstopping specialty confections—all baked in batches big enoughto feed a crowd or take to a cookie swap. We’ve filled this issue with tons of recipes that you can prep in advance and decorate in countless ways. We hope you’ll find a new seasonal favorite, and use our tips to perfect your go-to staples, among the countless treats here for giving (and keeping). ’Tis the season to bake with abandon.