Image: James Ransom

1. We’re not saying that baking is a religion, but we're not not saying it, either. At the very least, King Arthur Baking Company (established in Boston in 1790) is a reverenced brand, and their first color cookbook, Baking School: Lessons and Recipes for Every Baker, has the weight of a bible, in more ways than one. The irresistibly tasty photographs throughout the tome are by LDS photographer, Mark Weinberg. (Countryman Press, hardcover, 389 pp.) $45.00.

2. The only way that Tara Bench's second cookbook, Delicious Gatherings: Recipes to Celebrate Together could be better would be if it came with Tara Teaspoon Takeout Coupons attached, somehow. It is a brilliant invitation to be the host with the most. As for the book's mouth-watering images by Ty Mecham: Does scratch-'n-sniff technology exist for food photography yet? Asking for a friend. (Shadow Mountain, hardcover, 260 pp.) $34.99 

3. Popular food blogger Si Foster often received prompts from her readers to produce a cookbook, and after years of thinking about it, the Okinawa-born cook gathered recipes and self-published (and photographed) a beautiful, professional-quality book for her fans--and those who will soon become fans. (abountifulkitchen.com, hardcover, 368 pp.) $36.99

4. Amano Artisan Chocolate is that rarest of companies: led by a quest for perfection, using superb ingredients, formed with an artist's devotion to craft, resulting in something you can hold in your hand that will transport you to your own happy place with your first taste. The award-laden, Orem, Utah chocolate maker states, "We seek not to be the largest chocolate company—but simply to make the very best chocolate humanly, or heavenly, possible." (amanochocolate.com) 3 oz. bars start at $8.95

5. After winning the Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge in 2015, Tarsha Joyner opened Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely Fabulous Treats. She specializes in artfully decorated cookies. For those of us not close enough to Lynchburg, Virginia to stop in to her store or take one of her cookie decorating classes, mail orders will have to suffice. (mrsjoys.company.site) cookies, cakes, and caramels, starting at $15.00