The holidays are here and for many of us, that means extra time in the kitchen baking to our heart's content. Tis' the season to bake your favorite Southern sweet treats - for you and your family to enjoy or to give away as a holiday present. Either way, these Southern favorites are sure to wow and please everyone.

1. Vanilla bread pudding
This is the kind of comfort food dessert recipe that gets handed down through generations.It’s made of simple, everyday ingredients—bread, eggs, milk, sugar, butter, etc.—and it is impossible to mess up. So easy, and yet it tastes fantastic. Get the full recipe here.

2. New Orleans pralines (h/t Sweet Peas Kitchen)
These sinfully good pralines are a New Orleans tradition. Most anyone who travels to New Orleans dares not leave until they've savored the sweet goodness of these delectable treats. Try one for yourself and see. These are a must for your holiday baking list.

3. Raspberry almond shortbread thumbprints (h/t Cooking Classy)
Thumbprints have been on my holiday baking list for years. Though I've made them in every variety conceivable ranging from apricot to chocolate to turtle, these are my favorite because they're so pretty on the holiday table. The raspberry tone of the thumbprints is as Christmassy as you can get. Oh, did I mention they are scrumptious as well?

4. Molasses gingersnap cookies (h/t Back to My Southern Roots)
There's just something comforting about a warm spice-filled molasses gingersnap cookie that makes us all think of home. Plus, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger all just shout "Christmas" to me.

5. No-bake lemon cream pies
Mini desserts are a creative end to any dinner or get-together. These mini no-bake lemon cream pies are delicious and simple, and they require only a handful of ingredients. Just as in a classic lemon pie, the tart lemon curd counteracts the sweet, creamy filling in this dessert, creating a bite that leaves you salivating and wanting more. Get the full recipe here.

6. Microwave chocolate-drizzled caramel popcorn (h/t A Southern Fairytale)
This super-easy treat takes no time to whip up and makes a great gift to share for the holidays.

7. Turtle shortbread cookies (h/t Big Bear's Wife)
If you love the turtle combo of caramel and chocolate plus shortbread cookies, you're in for a real treat. Paired together, they're a hit!

8. Peach dumplings (h/t Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts)
Most of us in the South love our peach cobblers. Let's kick it up a notch with these peach dumplings. Oh my word, these are to die for! Store-bought crescent rolls make them easy to make! Apple can be swapped out for the peaches if you have an apple lover in the family. Serve this over vanilla ice cream and enjoy your food coma!

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