Were you the lucky recipient of a shiny new stand mixer over the holidays? Or maybe you bit the bullet and invested in one so you can finally make bread, cookies, and meringues with ease? No matter how you finally got one, a stand mixer is a great kitchen investment that, with proper care, will last for years (if not decades).

Stand mixers are heavy-duty machines and, like all machines, tend to need a little tweaking and adjusting in order to run properly. Here are some things you should know about your stand mixer to ensure you run and maintain it like a pro!

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If I’m drinking hot chocolate, I’m going all in — a packet of hot cocoa mix stirred into hot water certainly won’t cut it. No, I want something rich and over-the-top, with an intense chocolate flavor from both cocoa powder and chopped chocolate. My mug should be overflowing with mini marshmallows and drizzles of chocolate syrup. And that’s exactly what this brownie batter hot chocolate delivers.

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Why do we drink eggnog? The question vexed me for years. Eggnog? The weird yellow Yuletide drink featuring eggs and sometimes booze? The mysterious stuff that retired people in movies swill by the fireside on frozen nights? The creamy concoction that comes in cartons where corn syrup is known to bat second or third in the ingredient lineup? A drink where 50 percent of the letters are g?

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If you’ve never met a loaded baked potato you didn’t like, you’re about to meet your new favorite dinner casserole. It’s inspired by loaded potatoes, but calls for roasted cauliflower as the base. The florets are drenched in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, mixed with plenty of crispy bacon bits and chopped scallions, and baked until bubbly and golden.

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If you haven’t had quiche lately, it is time to remedy that situation. I could eat quiche for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without ever growing tired of it, but quiche is an especially good dish for a big brunch or other casual gathering. You make it the day ahead, slice it just before serving, and then pass out the plates. This foolproof recipe has yet to disappoint.

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There’s a reason I’ve been living in the same apartment for nearly five years. My studio apartment is in a great location, has plenty of storage for all my stuff (read: two closets!), and even boasts a cute outdoor space, which I admittedly don’t use as much as I should.

I love my apartment, but of course, no home is perfect. My space has a bulky, built-in media center and a mini fridge instead of a full-sized one (really). But perhaps my apartment’s biggest offense is its lack of a dishwasher.

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During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, having an easy, crowd-pleasing, big-batch recipe in your back pocket is key — especially when it’s a cocktail. A pitcher of sangria will win over any crowd, and guests can serve themselves, meaning you don’t have to play bartender all night. Here are our 11 favorite holiday sangrias, ready for any and all wintertime festivities.

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Over the last few years, we’ve published more than 120 meal plans from our own Kitchn editors and contributors alike. There’s a lot to be gleaned from those meal plans and how you’ve incorporated them into your own meal planning and meal prep in that time.

This week, instead of a classic meal plan — because, let’s be honest, with a holiday ahead meal planning is taking a backseat — we’re rounding up the 10 most popular Next Week’s Meal Plans from the whole year. Let these serve as inspiration as you head into winter break or set a goal to meal plan more in the new year.

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Holiday baking season is in full swing — which means it’s time for sugar cookies in all sorts. But how to make pretty cookies that hold their shape, without spending the whole day mixing, chilling, and rolling? Here’s the easiest and best way to save time and make the most perfect-looking cookies. It’s all in the chilling. Here’s how to do it.

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Ganache! Buttercream! Whipped Cream! Frostings are something that get me excited about cake, because they (along with a few sprinkles) turn any cake into a celebration. Whether you’re baking a chocolate Bundt cake, a chocolate pound cake, or, my personal favorite, chocolate sheet cake, here are 10 frostings that upgrade classic chocolate cake to something unique and special to celebrate anytime.

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