The Winning Recipes
It wasn’t easy but the panel of judges, including pastry chef Emily Luchetti, made their final decisions and picked the following recipes as the California Walnuts Holiday Baking Challenge winners. Each winner will receive a KitchenAid® mixer.

Cindy Beberman of Orland Park, Illinois, submitted this moist and sweet bread, and says it is “perfect for a brunch, for afternoon coffee, or to bring into the office to share as a holiday treat. Nothing says holidays like walnuts and chocolate, and the bright red cherries make it festive.”

The Ultimate Tipsy French Toast is a tasty way to start any holiday morning, according to Charlene Chambers of Ormond Beach, Florida. “I love having a great recipe to serve to guests or for a special occasion that you can prepare the day before and then, with no fuss in the morning, pop it into the oven like you have been fussing for hours,” Charlene notes.

Lisa Griffin of San Jose, California, gives a traditional crumble recipe adding some holiday flair with crunchy walnuts and colorful cranberries.

Lisa Nelson of Bluffton, South Carolina, suggests these bars as a great alternative to the traditional oatmeal cookie. The roasted walnuts and cranberry combination makes it a delicious cookie bar!

“These nutty, sweet and tangy muffins are a perfect foil to the savory egg and meat dishes of breakfast and brunch,” says Mollie Lee of Rockwall, Texas. “Flavorful enough to serve for company, but simple enough to make any day, they are sure to become a household favorite.”

The video category received some very creative and thoughtful entries, including a fun baking demonstration by Stephanie Im, of San Francisco. In the video, Stephanie shows how to make her mouth-watering brunch item of Walnut Date Phyllo Cups with Blue Cheese and Candied Walnuts. Click here to see her video.