Holiday Cooking & Baking: Top Fall Bloggers and Must-Try Cookbooks

When autumn arrives and Thanksgiving approaches, I start thinking about cooking more than usual. I’ll admit: I’m more into eating than cooking most of the year. But there’s something about the cooler weather, cozy evenings, and holiday spirit that makes me want to cook everything — and bake everything too.

Each season I pull out the cookbooks that inspire me. My selections change with the weather and my mood. Sometimes I display a few favorites on the shelf because their covers feel cozy. Other times a recipe sparks the urge to try something new in the kitchen.

Flipping through cookbooks can be so absorbing that I occasionally forget I need to actually make dinner. Still, they remind me to slow down and be more intentional and creative about the food we prepare. The kitchen truly is the heart of the home — a place where we care for family. I admire people who make cooking look effortless and joyful.

As a home decor blogger, decorating has always been my hobby, and writing about home life has made me realize I need a new creative outlet. That might explain why I follow so many food bloggers — their work inspires me to try new recipes and entertaining ideas.

I’ve had the chance to meet some food bloggers in person and listen to them talk about food — I definitely felt like a fangirl. There are so many I love: Gimme Some Oven, SkinnyTaste, Reluctant Entertainer, Add a Pinch, Bakerella, The Pioneer Woman, Bake at 350, I Am Baker, SEE Salt, Cookies & Cups, Bake Your Day, The Little Kitchen, Love and Olive Oil, Kevin and Amanda, TidyMom, Spoon and Saucer, 101 Cookbooks and many more. These talented creators fill the world with delicious ideas and teach techniques that make cooking approachable and fun.

Suddenly I’m dreaming of cookie-decorating parties, surprise-inside cakes, baking my own bread, and making pot roasts with mashed potatoes. I recently made The Pioneer Woman’s pot roast and mashed potatoes — it was delicious. While writing this post I ended up making sweet potato fries instead, which felt fitting for a cozy evening.

Many favorite food bloggers have published cookbooks. I don’t own all of them yet, but they’re on my wish list. I collect cookbooks because they offer inspiration even if I never become a master chef. Cookbook authors share recipes, stories, and homey wisdom that nourish both body and family life — one of my favorite parts of the season.

Are you a follower of food bloggers, or are you a food blogger yourself?

Do you enjoy cooking and baking?

What are some of your favorite food blogs or must-make dishes this time of year?

Book sources and recommendations:

Bread Matters: The State of Modern Bread and a Definitive Guide to Baking Your Own

Surprise-Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion—With a Little Something Extra Inside

The New Midwestern Table: 200 Heartland Recipes

Wintersweet: Seasonal Desserts to Warm the Home

Decorating Cookies Party: 10 Celebratory Themes * 50 Designs

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays: 140 Step-by-Step Recipes for Simple, Scrumptious Celebrations

What to Cook & How to Cook It

A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus: Menus and Stories

When autumn settles in and Thanksgiving draws near, I find myself thinking about cooking more often. I’m honest about preferring eating to cooking most of the year, but the season makes me eager to prepare and bake comforting dishes.

Every season I rotate through cookbooks that feel right for the moment. Some I display because their covers are inviting; others I open because a recipe has caught my eye.

Spending time with cookbooks encourages me to slow down and be intentional in the kitchen. It reminds me that the kitchen is where family is cared for and traditions are made. I admire those who create warmth and deliciousness with ease.

As someone who decorates and writes about home, I’ve realized I want a new hobby, and following food bloggers fills that space. I’ve learned tips, tricks, and recipes from many wonderful creators who inspire me to try new things.

I’m often tempted to host baking parties, try surprise-filled cakes, bake bread, and make comforting roasts. Simple recipes like pot roast with mashed potatoes can feel like a celebration. Even a batch of sweet potato fries can make a dull afternoon feel special.

Cookbooks from bloggers and chefs are lovely gifts and useful resources. Even if cooking isn’t my main skill, I enjoy collecting books that encourage home-cooked meals and family gatherings. That cozy, nourishing feeling is one of the best parts of the season.

Do you follow food bloggers? What are your favorite recipes to make this time of year?

More recommended reads: