While there are many things I can tell you about my grandfather, the one thing you should know is that he loved pecan sandies. In fact, I cannot bite into these buttery, nut-studded cookies without thinking of him. This version, which he’d heartily approve of, is firm and sturdy, and greets you with a crisp edge all around that softens as you get towards the center. A generous scoop of brown sugar lends a rich, caramel flavor and highlights the toasted aroma in the pecans that you’ll notice in every bite.

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This is the kitchen of the late Flo Braker, a well-known cookbook author and baking professional, who some call the “patron saint of all pastry makers.” Fine Cooking magazine photographed her kitchen, a sprawling space with all sorts of clever design details that would make any baker envious: yards of granite countertop to roll out dough, racks of rolling pins for every conceivable use, perfectly organized drawers of pastry tips and biscuit cutters. It’s really a thing of beauty, even for someone like me who can burn a chocolate chip cookie with no effort at all.

There’s one feature in her kitchen that I have never seen before, and it’s brilliant. It seriously blew my mind. It’s super smart and it’s something that could honestly help out even the terrible bakers among us.

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Growing up, those tubes of slice-and-bake cookies from the grocery store were the extent of my baking. It was the first treat I learned how to bake myself. When I’d slice the dough, however, it would often flatten on one side and become far from the perfect cookies pictured on the package. Now, as I make my own slice-and-bake cookies, I’ve learned a thing or two to help get that perfect round shape without fuss.

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While we’re fully in the swing of the holiday season, it’s still pretty likely that you have a full calendar of holiday commitments in the next week or so — office holiday potlucks, cookie swaps, family get-togethers, and the like.

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Measuring cups and measuring spoons can be tricky to store because even though they sort of nest, they’re always flopping around and getting lost in the nether-regions of your drawer. If you keep your measuring tools connected, they all get dirty when you need just one. If you take them apart, they get lost, one by one. But if you’re a baker or someone who really likes to follow a recipe, it’s very important to actually be able to find your measuring tools when you need them.

These clever organizing ideas will keep your measuring cups and spoons under control.

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Peppermint is one of the many iconic flavors of the holiday season, and we start to crave it the minute there’s a wintery chill in the air. Its cool, crisp flavor mimics the weather perfectly, and it is a nice change from the warm, spicy flavors so often found in sweet treats this time of year (hello, gingerbread!).

While we could simply buy a bunch of candy canes to get our fix, these five sweet treats are even more fun. If you have a peppermint-obsessed friend, family member, or coworker, make their holiday even sweeter with one of these recipes. Just follow the red-and-white swirl for minty desserts you can make at home.

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Fact: Guacamole is always a crowd-pleaser. But if you’re someone who likes to make party food in advance, gauc can be tricky, mainly because it starts browning practically the second it’s finished.

The solution? The Casabella Guac-Lock Container. It’s made specifically to keep guacamole fresh (and green!).

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If your holiday baking plans include gingerbread cookies, you are in for a treat. These richly spiced cookies sweetened with molasses and brown sugar are a staple in my house every holiday season, and this year is no different. These five tips will help you bake up a truly delicious batch of gingerbread that’s wonderfully crisp and tender every time.

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We’ve written extensively about ways to organize your kitchen cabinets in a way that will maximize your storage space, but there are only so many inches you can squeeze out of a few shelves.

Think out of the box — and look up. Utilizing unused space on your walls or ceiling not only creates brand-new storage, but it also keeps often-used gear within arm’s reach. And while we’re huge proponents of kitchen pegboards, we also love this ceiling-mounted pot rack.

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Serving warm mugs of steaming mulled wine is the smartest thing you can do to upgrade any holiday party. It doesn’t get any easier than adding a few bottles of wine, some brandy, maple syrup, whole spices, and orange peel to a slow cooker and heating until warm. There’s no need to stand behind the bar shaking up individual cocktails when, with the help of a slow cooker and a ladle, guests can serve themselves while they mingle.

With just a few glugs, a twist of a spice jar, and a flick of your wrist, you will have a custom cocktail fit for every occasion through the new year.

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