Join our brand new substack!   In this holiday-themed episode, Erika Kwee, known for her data-driven bake-offs, returns to discuss her favorite holiday recipes. Erika shares insights from her extensive bake-offs, covering everything from pumpkin bread and pies to holiday cookies and yeasted rolls. This episode is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their holiday baking with tried-and-tested recipes and tips. Whether you love pumpkin pie or prefer a flaky Parker House roll, you'll discover new favorites and techniques to make your holiday baking shine. Key Takeaways [05:50] Pumpkin Bread Evolution: Erika shares how she developed her pumpkin bread recipe by combining elements from popular recipes like Tartine and Smitten Kitchen. [10:20] Perfect Pumpkin Pie: Erika's pie winner, Flour Bakery’s recipe, stands out for its rich pumpkin flavor and silky texture, making it worth the effort. [16:00] Apple Pie Tips: Thinly sliced apples are key for the perfect apple pie texture, ensuring even cooking and avoiding the dreaded raw middle. [22:15] Ditch the Corn Syrup: Erika recommends using brown sugar or golden syrup in pecan pie for more flavor and better texture. [26:03] Ginger Sugar for Molasses Cookies: For an extra kick, roll ginger molasses cookie dough in ginger sugar before baking to boost the ginger flavor. [47:30] Tangzhong Method for Yeasted Rolls: Using this technique adds extra moisture and tenderness to rolls, as seen in Joshua Weissman's winning recipe. Notable Quotes (09:32) "The secret to a standout pumpkin pie is pulling it out of the oven when it's just a bit jiggly—then it finishes cooking to creamy perfection." (22:15) "Ditch the corn syrup for pecan pie. Using golden syrup or brown sugar adds so much more depth and flavor." (26:25) "If you love your molasses cookies spicy, rolling the dough in ginger sugar will hit your taste buds with a punch of flavor." Resources Best Pumpkin Bread Bake-Off Best Pecan Pie Bake-Off Best Sugar Cookie Bake-Off Follow The Pancake Princess on Instagram Follow Female Foodie on Instagram