(Family Features) - It's time once again to start baking some holiday cheer to share with friends and neighbors. These recipes make plenty of sweet treats to go around - and they're so good you just may want to keep some for yourself.

Make the holidays special by giving something fresh, homemade and from the heart. For more recipes you can bake and share, visit VeryBestBaking.com.

Pumpkin Season Is Here!

Mother Nature has made a fresh crop of pumpkins this year, so you can enjoy plenty of pumpkin this season in your favorite traditional recipes.

Pumpkin Carrot Swirl Bars Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 can (15 ounces) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup finely shredded carrot
• Cream Cheese Topping (recipe follows)

Preparation

1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan.
2. COMBINE flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and baking soda in small bowl. Beat granulated sugar, butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until crumbly. Add eggs, egg whites, pumpkin and carrot; beat until well blended. Add flour mixture; mix well. Spread into prepared pan. Drop teaspoonfuls of Cream Cheese Topping over batter; swirl mixture with spoon.
3. BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Store in covered container in refrigerator.
4. For Cream Cheese Topping: COMBINE 4 ounces softened light cream cheese (Neufchâtel), 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon milk in small mixer bowl until thoroughly blended.

Serves
Makes 4 dozen

Preparation Time:
20 minutes

Bake Time:
25 minutes

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 can (15 ounces) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup orange juice or water
• 1 cup sweetened dried, fresh or frozen cranberries

Preparation

1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans.
2. COMBINE flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and juice in large mixer bowl; beat until just blended. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pans.
3. BAKE for 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Serves
Makes two, 9 x 5-inch loaves

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
For three 8 x 4-inch loaf pans:
Prepare as above. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.

Preparation Time:
10 minutes

Bake Time:
1 hour

Spiced Pumpkin Fudge Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
• 2/3 cup (5 fluid-ounce can) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk
• 1/2 cup Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 cups (12-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Premier White Morsels
• 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow crème
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation

1. LINE 13 x 9-inch baking pan with foil.
2. COMBINE sugar, brown sugar, butter, evaporated milk, pumpkin and spice in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 10 to 12 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches 234° to 240°F (soft-ball stage).
3. QUICKLY STIR in morsels, marshmallow crème, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until morsels are melted. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Let stand on wire rack for 2 hours or until completely cooled. Refrigerate tightly covered. To cut, lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Makes 48 servings, 2 pieces each.

Serves
Makes about 3 pounds

Preparation Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup raisins, sweetened dried cranberries, or chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 can (15 ounces) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

Preparation

1. COMBINE all ingredients, except pumpkin, in large bowl. Pour into 1-quart resealable plastic bag; seal. Wrap muffin mix and can of pumpkin in fabric; tie with ribbon or twine.

Serves
Makes 1

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Recipe to attach:

Preparation Time:  15 minutes