Beatrice Ojakangas' Great Holiday Baking Book

Book excerpt: No holiday would be complete without the wonderful baked goods that make every occasion special. Now Beatrice Ojakangas, one of America's best-loved bakers, presents more than 250 recipes in this comprehensive soon-to-be classic. Beatrice Ojakangas' Great Holiday Baking Book takes you from spring to winter with 21 cherished holidays and the favorite baked treats that make them memorable. For Valentine's Day, say "I love you" with a heart-shaped coffee cake and a plate of Lemon Hearts. Celebrate the Fourth of July with all-American Blueberry Bars and seasonal Peach Cream Pie. For Halloween, treat your friends to Peanut Butter Monsters. Thanksgiving offerings include such autumn favorites as Cinnamon -- Wild Rice Pudding, Raisin -- Sweet Potato Bread, and Pumpkin-Pecan Pie. For Christmas, the biggest baking season of the year, Beatrice Ojakangas pulls out all the stops, including recipes for 38 classic and fancy cookies, 18 yeast breads, 13 quick breads, 9 cakes (with wonderful fruitcakes), 10 bar cookies and brownies, and more. In addition to simple recipes, Beatrice Ojaleangas' Great Holiday Baking Book is chockfull of boxes with helpful tips and explanations of the various cultural holidays. Beatrice Ojakangas provides information on throwing a cookie-swap party, organizing your bustling holiday kitchen, involving the kids in baking fun, and more. With breads, cookies, cakes, pastries, and other festive specialties for almost every occasion, Beatrice Ojakangas' Great Holiday Baking Book is destined to become one-of those beloved flour-speckled volumes that will find its way off the bookshelf and into the kitchen over and over again.