RecipesFruit Cake This is my own fruitcake recipe, and it’s a family favorite. I think it has just the right mix of nuts and fruit. —Allene Spence, Delbarton, West Virginia
RecipesCranberry Chicken Salad I made these simple yet special cranberry walnut chicken salad sandwiches for a birthday party. Tangy cranberries and crunchy celery pep up the chicken. Leftover turkey works well too. —Shannon Tucker, Land O’ Lakes, Florida
RecipesPistachio Cranberry Bark I picked up this bark recipe at a Christmas sweets swap hosted by a woman in my Bible study group. My family, friends and I think it’s just divine. Even my dad, who’s not big on candy, loves it. —Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California
RecipesFluffy Pistachio Dessert Conveys Christine Strouf of St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. “This creamy, lightly sweet torte is one of my family’s favorites, even with the low-fat, low-sugar ingredients.”
RecipesCarrot Cake Doughnuts For an easy doughnut recipe which everyone will love, I make these doughnuts. I love carrot cake so I wanted to carry the flavor over to these doughnuts. My experiments worked and these doughnuts are favorite in my family.—Tamera Danforth, The Dalles, Oregon
RecipesAlmond-Lemon Pound Cake This lemon-almond cake is the first cake I learned to make more than 30 years ago, and it’s still a favorite of mine. You can freeze any leftover cake and berry sauce for another time. —Michaela Rosenthal, Woodland Hills, California
RecipesFresh Pear Bread When our tree branches are loaded with ripe and juicy fruit, I treat my family and friends to lots of easy pear recipes. I always receive raves and requests for this particular pear bread recipe because of the mix of fun ingredients.—Linda Patrick, Houston, Texas
RecipesHazelnut Asparagus Soup My heart is happy when bundles of tender local asparagus start to appear at my grocery store in spring. No one would ever guess this restaurant-quality vegetarian soup can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. —Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois
RecipesKahlua Fudge Sheet Cake I make this cake for my grandsons. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for chocolate and marshmallow cream lovers.—Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
RecipesWhole Wheat Pecan Waffles We bought a new waffle maker, and a recipe came along with it. We finally tried it, and after a few changes to suit our tastes, these delicious waffles were the result. —Sarah Morris, Joplin, Missouri
RecipesGreen Bean and Walnut Salad Cranberries make this side dish delightfully Christmasy. Everyone will love the crunchy walnuts, too. —Deborah Giusti, Hot Springs, Arkansas
RecipesChai Chocolate Chip Shortbread I’ve always loved the taste of chai tea, so I decided to try to incorporate it into one of my recipes. Everyone who samples my shortbread can’t believe how delicious it is. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
RecipesPecan Pie Bars These pecan pie bars are rich and delicious – just like pecan pie! They’re perfect for taking to potlucks and other gatherings…I always come home with an empty pan. These Kentucky Derby pecan pie bars are the perfect snack while watching the races. —Carolyn Custer, Clifton Park, New York
RecipesApple and Walnut Salad This apple walnut salad delivers sweet and tangy flavor to simple salad greens with a quick apple cider vinaigrette, cranberries and Gorgonzola cheese. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
RecipesBanana Nut Cake I’m a pastor’s wife, and it’s so good to have something to serve when friends drop in unexpectedly. Because this banana nut cake can be frozen and also keeps well in the refrigerator, I try to have one on hand. —Gloria Barkley, Wilmington, North Carolina
RecipesCranberry Biscotti This cranberry biscotti is the perfect hostess gift for the holidays. Pack it into a festive Christmas tin and top with a pretty bow. —Darlene King, Regina, Saskatchewan