'Tis the season to crave those sweet treats. From festive fruit cakes to Christmas cookies, it seems like mid-November to January is just one long binge. But if you're going to indulge, you might as well do it right. {relatedarticles}So why not dive in to these gourmet goodies that go with the holiday territory? For starters, let's think drinks. What better way to quench your thirst and your hunger than with a traditional beverage treat? Hot chocolate, Irish coffee, gingerbread latte and of course, egg nog are among the top favorites for this time of the year. While you can find a carton of egg nog in the dairy aisle of your local grocery store, hot chocolate and seasonal coffee drinks are available at just about any chain coffee store. If you're feeling really creative, you can opt for the homemade route. Web sites such as foodnetwork.com have these recipes readily available. And what goes better with a hot drink than a batch of freshly baked - or bought - Christmas cookies?
Gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies shaped like stars, Christmas trees, snowman and other holiday themes are among the most popular choices. For those who'd prefer pie, there are plenty of options from which to select. {relatedarticles}Pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, apple pie and mincemeat pie are probably the most likely to make their way to the dessert table. If you aren't really up for the task of baking during the holidays, you can always hit the bakery for ready-to-serve brands. No matter how you slice it, the holidays just aren't the holidays without a fruitcake. The nature of the fruitcake is that it's supposed to improve with age. So if you decide to pass on it one year, it might even be better the following year.