Hurry up with the tree already, it's time to bake!

I fly through the holiday decorating, just so that I can get in my kitchen and turn out cookies and cakes and candies and pies to give as Christmas gifts. If you're of the same mind, you may want to check out some recipes that are already posted. I'm writing just as fast as I'm baking so expect more cookie recipes very soon!

• The best cookies in all the world: ginger cookies with strawberry jam.
• 100 cookies, reminds me of a Ranger cookie - sandy and crispy.
• Classic pound cake.
• Roasted almonds, for a savory and sweet snack fix.
• Gingery pineapple scones - bring these to the office for a holiday brunch.
• Fudgy brownies- rich chocolate goodness to get you through holiday stresses.
• Buttermilk chess pie - need an easy dish for the holiday potluck? Just pick up a pie crust at the store (it's ok, I will never tell) and a carton of buttermilk and make the perfect old-fashioned pie.
• And if you have time, make up a batch of my blue ribbon Morning Glory Muffins for a glorious Christmas breakfast - they freeze beautifully!

Roasted, spicy almonds...just in case

Around the holidays, I like to have a few things on hand that I can set out when folks drop by, which, admittedly, doesn't happen all that often. But what does happen pretty often is that I'll be running late starting supper and will need to set out a snack of some sort to keep the hungry hordes at bay. Things like carrots and ranch dressing, or maybe cheese and crackers are year-round players. In the late fall, I buy bags of raw almonds or walnuts or pecans and make spicy roasted nuts to set out on the counter. (Cheese wafers are another standby - look for that recipe soon.)

I make these nuts in my wok skillet, which is roomy and just right for glazing bunches of almonds. This recipe can be used with walnuts or pecans, too.

Roasted Spicy Almonds with Rum Glaze

The spice mix is variable according to your taste. If you only have cinnamon, that will work. If you're out of rum extract or rum, just increase the vanilla.

2 cups raw almonds

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon allspice

1 tablespoon rum or rum extract

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread almonds on baking sheet and toast for about five minutes, jiggling the pan midway through to ensure even toastiness.

2. While nuts are in the oven, stir together two tablespoons brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and allspice in a medium bowl.

3. Put wok pan over medium heat and melt butter. Add vanilla and rum and 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Remove nuts from oven and pour into wok. Stir until glossy and warm, about five minutes. Pour glazed nuts into spice mix; toss, then spread on parchment-lined cookie sheet to cool.