Looking for a new cake to add to your Christmas cake list? Why not make this recipe for Raspberry Red Velvet Cake. The raspberry jam takes your typical red velvet cake to a new tasty height.

A couple of personal notes on this cake - first of all, I mistakenly used Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa. It didn't influence the flavor as much as I thought it would. What it did do was make my cake too dark. If you want a redder cake, make yours with the regular Hershey's Cocoa (or other unsweetened cocoa). My other note is that although layer cakes may look prettier, a sheet cake is more practical when a bunch of people are going to be helping themselves to a piece. Layer cakes always end-up looking like a mess.

2009 Photo by Carroll Pellegrinelli, licensed to About.com

Italian Cream Cake

Linzers are sandwich cookies that are typically filled with jellies and jams. The top cookie has a pretty-shaped window cut-out of the middle of it.

Linzer Cookie Recipe

Step by Step Photo Instructions

How to Find a Linzer Cookie Cutter

2009 Photo by Carroll Pellegrinelli, licensed to About.com

I took these Pecan Tassies to a Girl Scout Christmas party. The comment I heard over and over again was about the crust. People were amazed that it was a homemade crust. Well, you can make a homemade crust, too. Just follow these step-by-step photo instructions for making Pecan Tassies. I've even added another more in-depth miniature tart shell instructional with photos, just for you.
Recipe for Pecan Tassies
Making Pecan Tassies with Photo Instructions
In Depth Miniature Tart Photo Instructions

2009 Pecan Tassies Photo by Carroll Pellegrinelli, licensed to About.com

Virtual Cookie Exchange
From Elaine Lemm, British Food:
Scottish Shortbread is traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve, but this recipe is too good to save for just one occasion, eat it anytime, it's delicious.
From Rebecca Franklin, French Food:
Madeleines are plump, little sponge cakes traditionally flavored with vanilla. This version has a small bit of orange zest for added warmth and aroma - perfect for holiday celebrations!
From Marian Blazes, South American Food:
Alfajores made with almond paste are my favorite version of this classic South American cookie. The cookies are buttery and rich with almond flavor, but not too sweet, which sets off the caramel dulce de leche filling perfectly. Alfajores are a good cookie to send in the mail, as they taste even better several days after they are made.