Deck the halls, hang the mistletoe, and preheat the oven. ‘Tis the season for Christmas baking, which means it’s time to inundate your kitchen counter and colleagues’ desktops with an array of cookies, bars, and other sweet treats. Most supermarkets cater to holiday baking enthusiasts by offering huge discounts on staples like flour, sugar, and the requisite bag of chocolate chips, so stock up the pantry and try adding a few new recipes to your baking repertoire. Besides, it’s easy to make an office gift out of any culinary “mishaps.”

Need a little inspiration? Check out a few of our favorites after the jump to get the creative juices flowing (and of course you can always consult the Washington Post’s annual cookie roundup).

Photo by afagen