As Rising Costs Reshape Holiday Gifting, Land O'Lakes Invites Communities to "Bake Up Good" and Pass the Kindness On

Leading dairy company encourages people to share homemade treats—and kindness—with those who have made a meaningful difference in their lives, pledging to donate up to 100,000 pounds of dairy to Feeding America

ARDEN HILLS, Minn., Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Land O'Lakes is giving home cooks and baking enthusiasts good reason to whip up their favorite recipes, share joy and make the season brighter for others. With an overwhelming 75% of Millennials¹ believing a homemade baked gift is more meaningful to receive than a store-bought gift, Land O'Lakes is encouraging communities to turn homemade dishes into meaningful gifts through its new "Bake Up Good" campaign, designed to celebrate the spirit of giving, spread kindness and foster connection.

While holiday traditions often focus on celebrating with family and close friends, Bake Up Good invites people to go beyond their typical social circles and surprise anyone in their community who could use a little extra happiness—from a neighbor or teacher to a first responder, delivery driver, coworker, community volunteer or someone spending the holidays alone—and then pass it on. To inspire bakers to join the movement, Land O'Lakes is partnering with recipe developer, food personality and New York Times best-selling author, Dan Pelosi. "Like most Millennials, I believe in the emotional power that homemade gifts can carry during the holidays," Pelosi explains. "For me, the joy of holiday baking comes from being able to share what I make with others, and I'm excited to help gift givers embrace this holiday tradition."

In the spirit of giving, Land O'Lakes will donate 50,000 pounds of dairy to Feeding America and has pledged to up to double its donation through active community participation.

"Few gestures feel more personal than a homemade treat. Our research shows that holiday baking is a meaningful way to express care, thoughtfulness and connection—and that many people are already planning handcrafted gifts," comments Catherine Fox, Land O'Lakes Vice President of Enterprise Marketing, Land O'Lakes, Inc. "When the right ingredients come together, something truly special can happen. Together, we can spread kindness to our community in a way that universally connects us all: through the power and care of food."

A recent survey¹ of 2,000 Millennials conducted by Land O'Lakes found that today's consumers are seeking both emotional resonance and affordability. While 83% of respondents report that rising holiday costs have changed their gift-giving behavior, nearly 7 in 10 people say they are now more likely to give homemade baked goods than in previous years. Nearly 89% say receiving baked goods from a neighbor also increases their sense of connection.

With the survey reinforcing the meaningful role homemade treats play in bringing people together, Land O'Lakes is inviting fans to pay it forward by baking up something special for those in their community and posting their creations to social media. Now through December 24, for every post shared using the hashtag #BakeUpGood and tagging @landolakesktchn, Land O'Lakes will increase its donation of dairy by an extra 10 pounds to Feeding America, up to a maximum of 100,000 pounds, spreading kindness and giving back to communities through comforting and nutritious food.

"With so many people to celebrate and show appreciation for this time of year, it's easy to get caught up in the holiday hustle, but a few simple shortcuts can make all the difference," adds Pelosi.

To help home cooks get a head start on holiday baking and cooking, Dan shares his top tips for making time in the kitchen easier and less stressful during the busy season:

• Brown your butter for elevated flavor: Even if a recipe doesn't call for it, browning your butter can add a nutty, caramel-like flavor to your cookies, brownies and cakes that make them taste bakery-worthy. Simply cut your butter – my go-to is Land O Lakes – into small pieces and melt over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until golden brown. Don't worry if your butter starts to bubble and foam as it heats up – that's all part of the process!
• Crumple parchment paper for a flat fit: Before baking, crumple your parchment paper into a ball, then smooth it back out onto your baking sheet. This helps the parchment paper lay completely flat, so the sides don't curl over onto the baking sheet. 
• Grate your cold butter: If a recipe calls for cold butter, such as pie crust or scones, use a cheese grater to shred it directly into your mixture. The smaller pieces help distribute the butter evenly while keeping it cold, which is key to achieving a flaky texture.
• Measure your oven temperature: Home ovens can run hotter or cooler than their displayed temperature, which can make or break your holiday baking – affecting everything from texture to moisture to flavor. To avoid a burnt cookie catastrophe, use an oven thermometer to test what the actual temperature is.
• Start your holiday baking early: Holiday baking doesn't have to start in December! Make your cookie dough ahead of the hectic season and store it in the freezer until you're ready to bake. Not only will this save you time when things start to get busy, but freezing your cookie dough before baking makes for a chewier, more delectable cookie.
• Keep cookies soft with a slice of bread: I take my holiday cookies seriously, and when I gift them to people, I want them to experience that Land O Lakes buttery, moist goodness like it's fresh out of the oven. When packing your holiday cookie tins, try placing a piece of soft bread inside the container. The bread transfers moisture to the cookies, keeping them soft and chewy longer.

For generations, families have trusted the creamy taste and texture of Land O Lakes® products to help inspire magical moments and make ordinary moments more extraordinary, from everyday meals to cherished holiday traditions.

For more inspiration to "bake up good," find recipes and product information, or to locate a store near you, visit http://www.landolakes.com/bake-up-good. Follow along on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook.

About Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods
Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods, a division of Land O'Lakes, Inc., is raising the bar for dairy in America with a delicious portfolio of innovative, high-quality dairy products and kitchen staples, made to inspire creativity in the kitchen and make ordinary moments extraordinary. Its satisfyingly creamy butter, cheese, spreads, and specialty dairy ingredients are enjoyed by families and home cooks and trusted by culinary professionals across America.

Founded in 1921 by 320 Minnesota dairy farmers, Land O'Lakes began as a cooperative built on the belief that farmers are stronger when they work together. Today, the Land O Lakes brand is the most trusted butter brand in America². The company continues to set the standard for taste, quality, and the future of dairy and beyond as a member-owned cooperative, with over 1,000 dairy producers, 500+ ag producers, and 800+ retail owners. Visit www.landolakes.com for more information.

¹ Pollfish survey of 2,000 Millennials, October 2026 
² 2026 BrandSpark Most Trusted survey 

SOURCE Land O'Lakes