We love them, but we do not love making them.

Well, you do.

Which of these are on your menu this season?

Red Velvet Doberge Cake With Cheesecake Custard

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It has certainly made its way into baking circles far beyond that, of course.

All the steps of this dish add up to a really time-consuming but altogether beautiful dinner.

Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake

This one has special meaning to meand a few associated headaches.

Southern Living Chocolate Babka sliced on a plate to serve with coffee

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My grandmother made caramel cakes for every Christmas dinner when I was growing up.

That takes up to 12 hours.

Step two is simple: making and baking the loaves.

Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake

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Step three can add a few hoursor a few weeksto the timeline.

Meringues are finicky and require a special touch.

You have to start by making multiple smaller layers of cake or slicing larger layers in half.

Southern Living Fruit Cake brushing with brandy or rum

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Thankfully, this Red Velvet Doberge Cake is well worth every minute.

Croquembouche

This classic French Christmas pastry is both a baking and architectural miracle.

If you do this every year, invite us over.

Southern Living Let It Snow Pavlova on a cake plate ready to serve

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We want to watch and enjoy the fruits of your many hours of labor.

These towers are a true beauty.

It’s all cooked until it’s rich, thick, and chocolate brown.

Red Velvet Doberge Cake With Cheesecake Custard

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The cost from the clock?

Usually 12 hours or more.

Buche de Noel

You’ll need several hours and the patience of Job for this holiday favorite.

Southern Living White Christmas Buche de Noel topped with meringue mushrooms and sugared rosemary

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(Did we mention you might want to makemeringue mushrooms, too?)

(Pro tip: Call ahead and ask the store to reserve one for you.)

(Oh, and did we mention how long it takes to thaw?)

Mom’s Potato Latkes

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Secrets to Best Christmas Goose

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Southern Living Southern Cracklin' Pork Roast With Lemony-Herb Sauce

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