Bakers Are Always Looking For Ways To Give A Twist To Traditional Sweets. Alfajores Hidden Surprise Cookies Are Made By Stacking Argentinean-inspired Sandwich Cookies Triple High. The Twist Is A Pocket With A Surprise Filling. (Photo: General Mills)

‘Tis the season to make the 2012 holidays full of cheer-- and there’s no better way to do that than with festive treats inspired by the creative minds at the Betty Crocker Kitchens. The Betty 10: Red Hot Holiday Trends spotlight the year’s hottest food trends, each with a delicious new recipe that adds a fresh twist to the holiday festivities. Whether food lovers are entertaining guests at home or bringing must-have treats to a party, Betty Crocker is helping them this holiday season with ideas and recipes inspired by today’s hottest trends.

Bakers are always looking for ways to give a twist to traditional sweets. Alfajores Hidden Surprise Cookies are made by stacking Argentinean-inspired sandwich cookies triple high. The twist is a pocket with a surprise filling. (Photo: General Mills)

What makes a trend red hot? When it's exciting, fresh and making its mark from coast to coast. “Our team of food lovers at the Betty Crocker Kitchens selected what we think will be the season’s most popular food ideas. Using the trends as inspiration, we created new recipes perfect for sharing at holiday gatherings,” said Kristen Olson, food editor at Betty Crocker. This year’s top food trends range from “Sweet Surprises” (traditional desserts with a surprise filling that adds a modern twist), to “Punched Up Punch” (batch cocktails like punch that are all about flavor - and helping the holiday host step out from behind the bar).

Of note this season, cake pops are one of the most popular forms of dessert at parties and gatherings across the nation. No one knows more about this trend than the woman who made her cake-on-a-stick creations a viral sensation, blogger and best-selling author Angie “Bakerella” Dudley. The 2012 Red Hot Holiday Trends include an exclusive cake pop recipe – Bakerella’s Snowman Cake Pops – that was created in partnership with Betty’s friend, Bakerella.

“Betty Crocker is an icon in the world of food and it is an honor to be able to share this special holiday cake pop recipe with Betty’s fans,” said Bakerella. “There was a big surge in popularity for cake pops this year and Betty Crocker is right on the mark adding the trend to the Betty 10: Red Hot Holiday Trends. We think people are going to love this fun recipe.”

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