HUNT VALLEY, Md. – New McCormick consumer research reveals that holiday hosts are seeking ways to make entertaining feel easier without sacrificing the festive flavors that make gatherings special. Among surveyed adults, 24% cite coordinating cooking and serving times as a leading holiday-planning stressor, while 32% say easier hosting is among the areas they are most willing to splurge on during the holidays.
This holiday season, the McCormick brand is helping holiday hosts simplify holiday preparation with its 2026 limited-edition lineup of Holiday Finishing Sugars and Seasonal Rubs & Seasoning Mixes. Designed to bring festive flavor to holiday meals, desserts and entertaining favorites with less day-of preparation, the new products are featured in the 2026 McCormick Holiday Guide, created in partnership with celebrity private chef Brooke "Chef Bae" Baevsky. The guide includes make-ahead recipes, including an exclusive Chef Bae dessert recipe, along with practical planning and hosting tips to help consumers reduce day-of pressure and spend more time enjoying the people around their table.
"For many people hosting holiday gatherings, the holidays have traditionally come with a trade-off: more time in the kitchen or less of the festive flavor that makes a meal feel special," said Jessica Goon, Vice President, US Consumer Marketing, HS&S and Global Media at McCormick. "Drawing on more than 135 years of flavor expertise, McCormick is giving holiday hosts easy ways to bring holiday flavor to the table. Through our holiday product lineup and make-ahead inspiration from Chef Bae, we aim to help people feel more confident and spend less time preparing this holiday season."
Easy Ways to Bring Flavor to the Holiday Table
McCormick is expanding its limited-edition holiday lineup with new Finishing Sugars and Seasonal Rubs & Seasoning Mixes designed to help anyone preparing a holiday meal spend less time preparing and more time enjoying the gathering. From building flavor into turkey and sides to adding a festive finishing touch to desserts, the new products offer simple ways to make every part of the holiday table feel special.
- New Finishing Sugars: McCormick® Cranberry Finishing Sugar, McCormick® Dulce de Leche Finishing Sugar, McCormick® Sugar Cookie Finishing Sugar
- Returning Finishing Sugars: McCormick® Candy Cane Finishing Sugar, McCormick® Naturally Flavored English Toffee Finishing Sugar, McCormick® Pumpkin Spice Finishing Sugar
- New Seasonal Rubs & Seasoning Mixes: McCormick® Turkey Dry Brine Rub, McCormick® Garlic and Herb Butter Roast Seasoning Mix, McCormick® Salted Caramel Cheesecake Seasoning Mix, McCormick® Turkey Rub, McCormick® Creamy Jalapeño Spinach Dip Seasoning Mix
McCormick partnered with celebrity private chef Brooke "Chef Bae" Baevsky to create an exclusive make-ahead dessert recipe featuring the new McCormick® Salted Caramel Cheesecake Seasoning Mix. Included in the 2026 McCormick Holiday Guide, Salted Caramel Cheesecake-Stuffed Gingerbread Cookies give people an impressive, holiday-ready dessert they can prepare in advance, helping reduce last-minute tasks on the day of the gathering. Chef Bae's make-ahead tip: Freeze the stuffed dough balls in a tightly sealed container a few months ahead of time, then bake just before serving for a warm, freshly made dessert.
"Sometimes the holidays can feel like a marathon in the kitchen instead of relaxed time with loved ones," said Brooke "Chef Bae" Baevsky. "That's why I'm so excited to partner with McCormick this holiday season. My make-ahead recipe shows people how to create a special, flavor-forward dessert with less day-of preparation."
Chef Bae's recipe, along with additional make-ahead inspiration, planning guidance and hosting tips, is available in the 2026 McCormick Holiday Guide. The McCormick limited-edition holiday offerings are available online at McCormick.com and at retailers nationwide while supplies last. Explore the McCormick Holiday Guide at www.McCormick.com/holiday and follow McCormick on TikTok and Instagram.
