Get Ready for the Holidays: Cookies, Memories, and Baking Fun

Ah, the holidays! There’s something so magical about this time of year—it’s my absolute favorite. We’re almost in October, which means Halloween is creeping up, and before we know it, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be upon us! These holidays are best spent surrounded by friends and family, and for me, one of the best ways to bring everyone together is through baking. I love making cookies and desserts with my loved ones, and if you’re anything like me, you know there’s nothing better than whipping up holiday treats in a cozy kitchen.

But let me tell you a little story from last year. We headed to the store, ready to stock up on all our baking essentials... only to find empty shelves. Flour? Gone. Anise? Gone. Baking powder? Gone. We were in full-on panic mode! Thankfully, we ended up buying in bulk, which worked out, but it was a bit nerve-wracking. So this year, we’re getting a head start and buying our ingredients early—lesson learned!

If you’re thinking about baking for the holidays this year, or maybe trying it for the first time, here are some of my go-to recipes that work no matter which holiday you’re celebrating:

All-holiday cookies and desserts:

  • Holiday Bark: Make different flavors and decorate them for any occasion!

  • Spritz Cookies: With a cookie press and some holiday-themed molds, you’re all set.

  • Sugar Cookies: These are so versatile—you can shape and decorate them for any holiday vibe.

For Halloween:

  • In addition to the treats above, I love making whoopie pies with orange and green filling for a festive, spooky twist.

For Thanksgiving:

  • I make Panasitos, which go great with tamales for a traditional touch.

  • And of course, you can’t go wrong with anything pumpkin—especially a delicious pumpkin roll.

For Christmas:

  • It’s a family tradition to make cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, and I look forward to it every year!

  • We also bake all the cookies I’ve mentioned, but my personal favorite is peanut butter blossoms—a classic!

In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting some of my favorite cookie recipes, so stay tuned for those! I hope your holidays are filled with love, joy, and plenty of sweet treats.