Baked Goodness

At about this time each year, I catch the baking bug in a serious way. In fact, "obsessed" might be a good word to describe my baked goods infatuation during the holiday months. I could spend hours looking at pretty pictures of sweet confections and browsing heaps of recipes. (As always, Martha has some great recipes for holiday baking, as does Food Network and Epicurious.)

I dream of whipping up batches upon batches of gingerbread cookies and chocolate hazelnut biscotti. Italian almond cookies and raspberry macarons. Buttery apricot shortbread, peppermint fudge brownies, and cinnamon rolls. Candy cane cupcakes and carrot cake cupcakes (with cream cheese frosting, bien sur).

I've even started thinking about what it would be like to have my own bakery.

My bakery would double as a café and have a colorful storefront. And did I mention it would be someplace like London, or possibly Paris?

Alongside the baked goods, I would serve espresso, hot chocolate, and all kinds of tea in mismatched vintage teacups atop pretty lace tablecloths.

Of course, the whole thing would really just be an excuse to wear an adorable apron.

And to use this gorgeous pink KitchenAid mixer (swoon!).

Have you been bitten by the holiday baking bug? What are some of your favorite sweets for this time of year? I'm planning to indulge in a baking marathon this weekend, so please share any fabulous recipes you've come across!

Photo by Sandra Lane via Sarah Kaye//Image credit unknown, found here//Image via Flickr user *wanderlust*//Image via Champagne Kisses//Image via Megalomaniac//Image via Anthropologie//Image via KitchenAid