Meet The Writers / Monika Bartyzel

Meringues are one of the most elegant treats in the cookie kingdom. Stunning in their simplicity, they are beloved by many for being not only rich and delicious, but also tantalizingly low in calories, offering sweetness without health-breaking badness.

Since they are simply an airy, whipped mix of egg whites and sugar -- ingredients that just need a little time in a stand mixer before being piped and slowly baked -- they are perfect for impressive, last-minute projects. Meringues are malleable, easy to work with, and can suit any holiday need, from classy adult appetizers to cute kid treats. Perfect for any tastebud or gathering, they are the holiday treat that can't be beat.

You simply cannot have Christmas without candy canes. Like Santa, reindeer and twinkling trees, they are an iconic part of Christmas, with their carefully spun stripes and crisp, refreshing minty flavor.

But while they look like something that could only come from the metal hands of a special machine -- or at the very least, those of a seasoned professional -- they're one of the most fun concoctions you can make over the holiday season.

The fortune cookie has always been the classic finish to American-style Chinese food, with its ubiquitous scrap of paper offering charming fortunes. The cookie itself is a crisp and sugary nibble -- an everyday sort of treat, good for a quick laugh and sugar rush. But these folded soothsayers can also be whipped into a delightful holiday treat -- one that will wow guests and lucky gift recipients with its unexpected charm.

Starting from scratch, the whole world of divination can bend at your whim with self-made fortunes, perfectly flavored cookies and a festive chocolate coating perfect for Christmastime.

With the December chill setting in, there's nothing quite as sweet as cold air warmed with the scent of Christmas cookie baking.

One of the easiest holiday cookies to make is Scottish shortbread. A simple combination of flour, sugar and butter, these cookies could not be any simpler, but with a little flair, they can become an elegant and delicious addition to a party table or Santa's helping of cookies and milk on Christmas Eve.

We're now in the last push before Thanksgiving. There's no time to carefully make marzipan treats or tasty maple concoctions. But there is still the possibility of sweetness without resorting to the old-school pie baking. Simply put down the pie shell, find a pumpkin-shaped pan and whip up a delicious, show-stopping cake.

The orange squash is one of the most undervalued delicacies in the world of food. By adding it to a cake, you get all the rich and spicy flavor contrasted with vanilla or chocolate. Since this is a cake, it can be made ahead of time -- freeing up the oven for the last-minute fare -- and adds some three-dimensional whimsy to your holiday table.