There are some staples that should always be in a baker’s pantry: flour, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla extract and cocoa powder. Some lists leave out the last two, or only include them as extras, but I use vanilla and cocoa powder almost every single day and my kitchen is never without them. I don’t want your kitchen to be without them, either, which is why I’m giving away two Baking Basics Gift Packs full of baking essentials from Rodelle. You’ll have to stock up on flour and butter, but this gift pack is full of vanilla beans, vanilla extract, Dutch process baking cocoa  and other essentials  that will get you set up for all of your holiday baking
To enter the contest, just leave a comment below and mention your favorite holiday treat – whether it is a pumpkin pie recipe that you’ve been baking for twenty years or a new sugar cookie recipe you just added to your repertoire. The contest ends Sunday at midnight (11/10/2013) and two winners will be randomly selected from the entries. Don’t forget to fill in your e-mail on the comment form (it will not be made public), as that is how I will contact the winner, and good luck!
Here are a few chocolate and vanilla recipes to kick start your holiday baking:
Update: Comments are now closed. Congrats to Alyssa and Amy on winning this giveaway! Thanks to everyone for participating!
Bianca Bilyeu
November 9, 2013Chocolate Silk Pie with homemade whipped cream and shaved chocolate! Oh, in an Oreo crust of course!
Evelyn
November 9, 2013Cappuccino brownies, with a swirl of cinnamon-flavoured cream cheese. I suppose these aren’t just for the holidays, but they are so decadent, that we usually save them for special occasions!
Robin
November 10, 2013My Mom makes the tastiest sweet potato pie(s) during the holidays. Gotta have more than one piece!
kimquyen le
November 10, 2013I love chocolate souffle & creme Brule 😉
MissGwenD
November 10, 2013My favorite holiday treat is the 1963 Mary’s sugar cookies. It has to be that version, newer versions don’t taste as good. I make these sugar cookies for all holidays, cut them into shapes,ice them and eat any broken ones right away. My mother made them with us,I’ve made with my children and now I get to make them with grandchildren. It is the only recipe that I have memorized exactly from any cookbook.
Heather B
November 10, 2013I love making peppermint bark for the holidays!
addie
November 10, 2013My favorite holiday recipe is a from scratch pumpkin pie. I found it in an old cook book from the 30’s my mom picked up at a yardsale.
Emi Nelson
November 10, 2013My family is swedish so it always feels like the holidays when everyone starts baking skorpa. Swedish skorpa is a little like biscotti but it has a much richer almond taste. Every time I bite into a skorpa I think of my morfar (grandfather) when I was a little girl baking fresh skorpa in the kitchen saying you must tell me your favorite morfar to get a peice of skorpa!
Shannon McClear
November 10, 2013Triple Ginger Shortbread cookies! Has fresh, ground, and crystallized ginger in as well as some lemon zest & white pepper for extra zing! My husband’s favorite cookie!
Virginia
November 10, 2013Is this sponsored by you or Rodelle?
Heidi Martindale
November 10, 2013Sugar Cookies!
Soft and Sweet
Trish Barton
November 10, 2013My favorite thing to make for the holiday season is by far my homemade apple pie. I make the crust from scratch and the secret to the lusciousness of my pie is I slice the apples VERY thin and let them sit in their juices that they make when mixed with sugar and cinnamon before putting them in the pie and baking. Can’t wait!
Calli
November 10, 2013cinnamon apple cobbler! so easy and good
Carla S
November 10, 2013My favorite treats are gingerbread and windmill cookies .
Darla Lorber
November 10, 2013Carrot Cookies and Russian Teacakes are my favorite traditional cookies. I made a cookie up called Dog Sled Cookies. They are addictive. Dark Chocolate cookies with peppermint patties or mint Andes Candies. They are to die for!!!
Beth
November 10, 2013Velveeta fudge, it’s not Christmas without it.
Debra Lee
November 10, 2013I love making pumpkin rolls!
CrystalA
November 10, 2013Baked Chocolate pie minus the extra ingredient in Minny’s pie! 🙂
Dipti kamath
November 11, 2013Chiffon custard cake is my favourite ! Easy and delicious
Laura
November 14, 2013I would have to say the cranberry-orange coffee cake I discovered last year just in time for Thanksgiving. I made it for my family reunion one night, intending to save it for the next morning and present, but no sooner had I turned around than there was a line of family waiting with plates and forks! I had to make another batch the next morning!