Having started my day convinced that I have shrunk my jeans by putting them in the dryer (not because of all of the delicious baked goods), then having two oatmeal scotchies for “breakfast” anyway, I feel the time's right to lean in to holiday baking!

Last year, my delightful then-2-year old insisted that we give Santa “blue cookies” for when he dropped off gifts. What are blue cookies? A delightful family tradition that we do every year? A local favorite that all Clevelanders know and love? Something that she was given at a holiday party at daycare? An unexplained toddler-brain phenomenon that her mom needed to decipher, or else Santa would be so offended that he would pass our house by? If you picked the last one, you’re correct!

The holidays will now always make me think of blue cookies (which ended up being sugar cookies with a bit of blue food coloring), but this time of year is about so much more when it comes to the joys of baking. There’s something beautiful about taking a few simple ingredients, treating them with care and love and creating something completely different and delicious. So many meaningful family traditions are built around baking, and I hope that the following books available on the Libby app reflect yours or can help you create some new ones.

If you want to get kids involved:

The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs by America’s Test Kitchen

There’s a reason that this book is a perennial New York Times bestseller. It has amazing pictures and breaks things down into kid- (and bad-at-baking adults like me!) friendly steps. America’s Test Kitchen can be trusted to have really done their homework to make sure that all of their steps make sense and that the recipes have been tested, both the making and the eating, to be the best they can be. There’s a great variety in this book, too, so you’ll be able to find something for your junior baker that they’ll love to create!

If you’re into easy baking:

What’s for Dessert by Claire Saffitz

If the gorgeous cover of this book doesn’t pull you in, I don’t know what will! This is a book for self-proclaimed dessert lovers, with the goal of making the tastiest treats, while also trying to make them accessible to all levels of home baker. Saffitz has loads of tips and tricks throughout (I’m a big fan of her calling out some things as “Potential Pitfalls” for you to watch through the process), so that you can put that baking anxiety that you might have to rest and just enjoy yourself! There are also loads of step-by-step photos, which help you bake your way to some wonderful treats.

If you’re into award winners:

Mooncakes & Milk Bread by Kristina Cho

This James Beard Award-winning cookbook has a bit of everything, from sweet to savory, and truly is a love letter to Chinese bakeries from author Cho. Those who’ve never visited a Chinese bakery might be surprised by the breadth of offerings in this cookbook, from pork buns to Swiss rolls, so consider this a wonderful introduction. Cho also has a wonderful guide to shopping at Asian grocery stores, which will make sourcing ingredients that much easier. The photography in this book is both stunning and helpful, as are the detailed directions. This book tells so many more stories than just the recipes inside (which Santa will love, for sure!), and my Cleveland-based heart also appreciates another author from Northeast Ohio.

If you’re feeling trendy:

All About Cookies by Christina Tosi

If Santa has a tattoo, I’m sure it says, “All About Cookies.” This is the famous Milk Bar’s cookbook that’s focused on that one, glorious, hand-held wonder that is the cookie, and you’ll be sure to be drooling even looking at the first few recipes inside. Tosi is known worldwide for her baking (you can buy and ship her treats everywhere), but she allows for readers to recreate some of her favorite treats in their own kitchens. I’m a big fan of her breakdown of not only the best ingredients, but also detailed descriptions of the tools that you’ll need to make your best cookies (kitchen scale, anyone?). Your only problem with this book will be picking which to make first!

If you long to bake in a tent:

BAKE by Paul Hollywood

Have you ever finished watching a soothing episode of The Great British Baking Show and thought, “I wish I could do that”? If you answered yes, you now have the opportunity to recreate some of judge Paul Hollywood’s favorite classic bakes, and unlike his Technical Bake challenges, you actually get all of the ingredient amounts and the full steps! This book contains recipes from all over the spectrum (there’s a chapter of “Pizza and Doughnuts” that’s paired together without apologies) and there will be something that everyone will enjoy making, and certainly enjoy eating even more. You’re sure to get that handshake from Paul (and maybe even from Santa himself!) after you take the time to try some of these great recipes.

If you want to keep it plant-based:

The Essential Book of Vegan Bakes by Holly Jade

After a night of enjoying all the cookies that the world has to offer, Santa could certainly use a break from all of the butter and cream, so bringing some additional plant-based cookies to the table is a net-win for everyone! Jade is the creator of a hugely popular blog, and this cookbook shows why her audience just keeps growing. The pictures are drool-worthy, and the recipes are delicious, even to the pickiest of “I-won’t-eat-vegan-food" eaters. Plop a tray of funfetti cookies in front of anyone, and they’re going to smile even before they taste how good they are!

For more sweet reads, check out the Libby reading app from your library.