McCormick® Dishes Up America's
Top Five Holiday Recipes

A New Reason to Visit www.mccormick.com – And A Fresh Look and Innovative Features Make Menu Planning a Snap

HUNT VALLEY, MD (October 24, 2008) – Holiday cooks can celebrate with confidence and a little flair this season.  Based on the most requested and top ranked recipes by home cooks, McCormick – the nation’s favorite spice maker - has identified the five most cherished holiday recipes. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch, Perfect Turkey Gravy, Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Cream Frosting, Pecan Cookie Balls and Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Icing represent America’s love of classic holiday dishes that have a modern flavor twist.

Close to 70 percent of holiday cooks stick to the tried and true when planning celebration menus (McCormick Holiday Survey, Market Facts).  “The holidays are really a time for family favorites and traditions. So, we have gathered our most popular recipes to help make this year’s holiday meals memorable,” said Laurie Harrsen, Director of Consumer Communications at McCormick.  “We also know home cooks are looking for new ideas – they just want to add something special to those classics by giving them a little flavor twist.”

From the Thanksgiving family feast to cookie exchange parties, holiday cooks can feel good about serving flavorful favorites from the McCormick kitchens.  For a variation on the typical sweet potato side dish, try Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch, which has an added touch of ginger.  Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Cream Frosting makes a beautiful centerpiece for any holiday dessert table. 

Debut a new cookie at the holiday cookie exchange with melt-in-your-mouth Pecan Cookie Balls, accented with the warm and inviting flavor of nutmeg.  And, gingerbread – that timeless hallmark of the holidays – is delicious as Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Icing.

These holiday recipes and many more can be found on the redesigned www.mccormick.com where you can:
• Download recipes to your cell phone for an on-the-go shopping list
• Weigh in with your own opinions and rankings on a vast array of McCormick recipes
• Use the McCormick Fresh Tester for a quick “age analysis” of the spices in your pantry
• Enter for a chance to win a set of new spices and a cookbook every week through December 29, 2008
• Check out the new Holiday Craft section for fun and aromatic ideas, like Cinnamon Ornaments 
• Join “My McCormick” to share your thoughts with other passionate cooks and get exclusive recipes