baking

So you are getting ready to carve your pumpkin, does it have you thinking about pies and Thanksgiving? Should you use fresh pumpkin?

That's right, it's time to pull out the cookie sheets, flour, sugar and eggs! Whether you've got family that's hard to shop for or you just like baking, making holiday cookies is fun! It's also a great activity to do with your kids or a loved one. My favorite memories are helping my Grandma make oatmeal cookies in her kitchen as a kid. So I've put together a nice little list of cookie-making items to replace and update older versions or make your cookie-baking easier!

We asked, and you answered! These are the Top 10 kinds of cookies Hudson valley residents say they enjoy the most around the holidays!

I love having a stand mixer in my kitchen. It's great because it makes you feel fancy and it also is perfect for making cookies or bread or cakes! It has way more versatility than your standard hand mixer (though there's certainly something to be said for how easy it is to whip out your hand mixer for cookies or some banana bread. But when you need to mix a cake on medium for a solid eight minutes, standing there with a hand mixer might as well be torture. Maybe that's just me. Anyways, I've put together a short list of best-selling stand mixers with amazing reviews!

Even on special occasions and holidays, the dessert seems to be the most exciting part of that day. I'm sure that all the foodies can understand my point of view.

Emily Eckberg, a New Paltz resident and owner of crEATery bakery, has now moved onto the Quarterfinals and is getting closer to 'The Greatest Baker' title.

The new DunkAroo cookie dough is available at Walmart and Wegman's locations around New York for your baking pleasure.