Out of the Box Holiday Baking: Gingerbread Cupcakes, Peppermint Cheesecake, and More Festive Semi-Homemade Sweets

Book excerpt: Be the star of the cookie swap and the hero of the tree-trimming party! By starting with cake or brownie mixes, ready-made dough and crusts, and other make-it-simple head starts, Hayley Parker makes holiday baking a breeze. She transforms everyday ingredients into one-of-a-kind desserts and puts new twists on flavors like spicy gingerbread, cool peppermint, and comforting hot cocoa. Here are candies, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, bars, and more, including: White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles Eggnog Pie Red Velvet Whoopie Pies From the blogger who makes “even novice bakers feel like pros” (POPSUGAR), these sweet treats are perfect for holiday gift-giving, parties, and unexpected guests—even Santa will be impressed!