Now that the turkey’s been carved (and made into countless sandwiches), sweets season is officially upon us. We’ve all got visions of sugarplums, cookies, cakes and doughnuts dancing in our heads — so kick off your December baking with these sure-to-please recipes.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookie (above)

Katie Lee takes a traditional (and adorable) cookie and makes it even more playful by reimagining it in the flavors of your favorite childhood sandwich.

Cinnamon-Chocolate Fudge

If there was ever a time to eat a rich hunk of chocolate as dessert, it’s the holiday season. Giada de Laurentiis’ recipe has a spicy surprise — cinnamon!

Apple Spice Cake

To really indulge in that “home for the holidays” feeling, you need a homey cake on your counter at all times. Anne Burrell’s apple cake suits the season with warming spices, but is also extra-comforting, thanks to layers of cream cheese.

Mini Linzer Cookies

Ina Garten’s take on this traditional cookie is a true classic. Crank up the radio station playing seasonal tunes and by the time you’re dusting powdered sugar over the top of the cookies, you’ll surely be in the holiday spirit.

Holiday Biscotti

Giada’s 5-star biscotti (with hundreds of happy reviews!) get dressed for December with pistachios, dried cranberries, and red and green sprinkles.

White Chocolate Bark

You could pick up a tin of this holiday must-have at almost any store this month. But Ina proves that it’s easy to make at home (as she always does), and customizing it with your favorite flavor combinations makes this treat even more satisfying.

Neopolitan Holiday Cookies

Valerie Bertinelli makes her mom’s recipe for this Italian bakery classic every year. Fill a tin with the tricolor mini cakes and crack it open when you’re visiting your own mom this month.

Fruitcake Cookies

Ina’s got this holiday classic all figured out. Instead of a dense, chewy cake (studded with denser, chewier dried fruit), she employs a sturdy, chunky cookie as the dessert’s base.