Bake sweet potato cornbread with a tender cornmeal crumb. Learn how to manage puree moisture, mix gently and check that the center is baked through.

Plan Thanksgiving side dishes with six recipes, from stuffing and crisp Brussels sprouts to corn pudding, roasted vegetables and soft dinner rolls.

Make from-scratch corn pudding with corn, eggs and dairy. Learn how to drain the corn and bake a tender, spoonable side without drying the edges.

Make crispy oven-roasted Brussels sprouts with browned edges and tender centers. Get tips for drying, halving and spacing sprouts on the pan.

Bake soft homemade dinner rolls with yeast dough and a butter finish. Get practical tips for mixing, proofing, shaping and baking the centers through.

Make turkey gravy without drippings using butter, flour and turkey stock. Learn how to whisk a smooth gravy and adjust its thickness and seasoning.

Build a varied holiday tray with five Christmas cookie recipes, from chocolate crinkles to sugar cookies, with recipe-specific make-ahead guidance.

Make soft cheesecake cookies with cream cheese in the dough. Get tips for chilling, shaping and baking cookies with a tender, tangy center.

Make fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies with a visible powdered-sugar coating. Get tips for chilling the dough, shaping and avoiding dry cookies.