The holiday season is in full swing, my friends, no turning back now! Let me tell you, I am EXCITED! It’s time to fire up my oven and get to baking all of the holiday goodies that I can in preparation of holiday get-togethers, gift giving, snacking while wrapping gifts, etc.

Holiday desserts and baked goodies like special breads are my favorites for baking. We like to make loaves of bread and wrap them up in colorful Saran Wrap, add a bow and voila! We have gifts ready to deliver! Or, we simply make one to slice up and keep on a platter for guests to eat at our holiday parties. They are also awesome for potlucks!

Here are some of my favorite recipes for these special holiday breads and desserts:

Lemon Blueberry Bread - This Lemon Blueberry Bread isn’t necessarily the typical taste of winter, but I love the bright flavors of lemon and blueberries.

The Best Raspberry Bread - The bright red in the colors of this bread are perfectly matched to the season and oh my goodness does it taste amazing!

Cranberry Orange Bread - Perfect for the season, and makes a great gift or yummy snack! You can even serve this one for breakfast or brunch.

Classic Cranberry Nut Bread - This bread is always a classic at our holiday table. It’s so good that we never end up with leftovers either!

Brownies - I am a brownie junkie, like seriously, if I could I would eat brownies each and every single day. This happens to be my favorite recipe and I promise you they will bring some smiles this holiday season! I like to serve them on a pretty platter at our holiday dinners and they are great in the dessert tins for gifts.

As I’m sure you expected, we have some suggestions on the best bakeware to prepare these breads and treats in. Here are some of my favorites:

superstone® bread dome - the "incredible" superstone® bread dome is an amazing product for baking breads and chicken, vegetable or meat dishes. the stoneware material replicates a professional brick-lined oven to create a dry, even heat and spectacular bread. the domed shape allows air to evenly-circulate around the baker for a uniformly browned crust on your bread while the unglazed lid helps create the perfect environment for baking crackly breads and juicy chickens and roasts.

superstone® covered baker - the superstore covered baker produces a spectacular italian, or oblong, loaf of bread! it’s unglazed interior pulls moisture from the dough, replicating the effects of a brick-lined oven to give you a light crumb and crusty exterior loaf. try roasting potatoes in the baker for crispy skins and a fluffy interior. if you’re a bread baker and enjoy baking different types and shapes of bread, this baker is terrific!

superstone® deep dish pizza/pie baker - our superstone® pizza/pie baker absorbs moisture, creating a delicious, crispy crust. pizza crusts are crustier and pie crusts are lighter and flakier. terrific for deep dish pizza, breads, quiches or pies. to clean, simply scrub under hot water -- do not use soap. measures 11" diameter x 1.5" deep. includes recipes.

Presentation:

Don’t forget that half the battle with serving holiday goodies is the presentation. It is important to have it look great so people want to eat it, right? Here’s what I do:

• Serve on a tray. A tray is going to have more room than a simple plate, and the right serving tray can make a loaf of bread look gorgeous! Here are my favorites for this:
  • round marble and mango wood board - our bread and cheese boards add an artisan aesthetic to your serving table. the smooth mango wood adopts a weathered patina over time and the marble stands in cool contrast to the warm texture of the wood.
  • rectangular marble and mango wood board - our bread and cheese boards add an artisan aesthetic to your serving table. the smooth mango wood adopts a weathered patina over time and the marble stands in cool contrast to the warm texture of the wood.
  • rectangular baselina board - this beautiful board looks terrific on your buffet or coffee table when serving light appetizers. the cool marble surface prevents your cheeses from over-softening. also use the board to serve crackers, smaller bread loaves or fruits.

With these recipes and these bakeware and serving board suggestions, you are about to have an amazing bed-goods filled holiday!