Out of the Box Holiday Baking: Gingerbread Cupcakes, Peppermint Cheesecake, and More Festive Semi-Homemade Sweets

Be the star of the cookie swap and the hero of the tree-trimming party!

By starting with cake or brownie mixes, ready-made dough and crusts, and other make-it-simple head starts, Hayley Parker makes holiday baking a breeze. She transforms everyday ingredients into one-of-a-kind desserts and puts new twists on flavors like spicy gingerbread, cool peppermint, and comforting hot cocoa. Here are candies, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, bars, and more, including:

• White Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes


• Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles


• Eggnog Pie


• Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

From the blogger who makes “even novice bakers feel like pros” (POPSUGAR), these sweet treats are perfect for holiday gift-giving, parties, and unexpected guests—even Santa will be impressed!