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 thingholiday baking season is here! For many of us, its 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 cakeno winter would be complete without a stunning array of festive goodies. . Choose from easy drop cookies, fancy cut-outs, mouthwatering bars or showstopping specialty confectionsall baked in batches big enough to feed a crowd or take to a cookie swap. Weve filled this issue with tons of recipes that you can prep in advance and decorate in countless ways. We hope youll 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.