Give 'Em Some Sugar

Deck the halls and break out the cookie sheets: You've got a gift list to tackle. This holiday season, spread around some sweetness.

On pie duty for the family feast? Update an old classic. Catching up with friends at your place? Make a batch of sophisticated holiday cocktails. Missing your sister who lives on the other side of the country? Send her a batch of gingersnaps to enjoy during your next video chat coffee date.

An afternoon of baking is a small price to pay for a completed gift list. Besides, you might just have some fun. Here are eight ways to sweeten the holidays, with our partner IKEA^®.

These old-fashioned cookies (see the recipe) have everything you're looking for in a holiday treat: the snap of ginger, the spice of cinnamon and cloves, and the chew of molasses. Plus, they'll help your gift recipient cheat their way to the top of their office cookie swap.

Turn your kitchen into a holiday bakery with must-have cooking tools, gift boxes and seasonal decor, with help from IKEA^®.

Cardamom gives this apple butter (see the recipe) a warm and festive flavor. Package it in a pretty jar and tie it with a bow, and your friends will be eating the tastiest toast in the neighborhood.

Secure next year's invite with this pretty tin filled with peppermint bark (see the recipe). The recipe requires only three ingredients, but that can be our little secret.

Treat Mr. Claus to a stylish milk and cookies display with Scandinavian-inspired serveware from IKEA^®.

Trade the eggnog for its more sophisticated cousin, the Ginger Maple Flip (see the recipe). Everyone at the caroling party will thank you.

If you're on pie duty, it's time to master a classic: sweet potato pie (see the recipe). This one has pecans in the crust to give it nutty texture and a silky-smooth filling.

Where there's pie, there's ice cream. Amp up your next family gathering with this brown butter pecan version (see the recipe), which pairs with everything from pumpkin to pecan to apple and all pies in between.

Need a quick and easy party dessert? These two-ingredient chocolate truffles (see the recipe) take no time to whip up, and they're oh so pretty on a plate.

These brandied cherries (see the recipe) would make a fine gift for the cocktail connoisseur in your life. Serve them over ice cream or in a Manhattan for a very merry holiday season.