(BPT) - The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the flurry of festivities - parties and family gatherings bring joy and merriment but it's easy to get overwhelmed by the task of entertaining, especially if you're in charge of cooking.

Luckily this year, Sun-Maid is here to help you pull off the holidays and make decking the halls easier than ever. The secret ingredient? Raisins.

From bite-sized appetizers to delicious entrees and decadent desserts, these dried fruits are a versatile addition that will add the perfect hint of sweetness to any holiday dish. Rediscover the magic of holiday entertaining with these five recipes from Sun-Maid that are as simple as they are scrumptious and, most importantly, let the season be sweet and stress-free!

1. Raisin Puff Pastry Tarte Soleil

If there's one appetizer that will seriously impress your guests, it's the French-inspired tarte soleil: A pull-apart puff pastry with a twisted design. This version takes a savory route with artichoke hearts, feta cheese and spinach, while adding natural sweetness with Sun-Maid Raisins. The flaky puff pastry is topped with a homemade gremolata for a vibrant and fresh taste.

2. Pesto Raisin Orzo

This four-ingredient, easy-to-make side dish requires minimum prep time and is a sweet-and-savory addition to any holiday meal. Plus, it makes enough to please a crowd. Simply cook the orzo, mix in pesto, raisins and feta cheese, and you're done in less than 15 minutes.

3. Pinwheel Cookies

If you're looking for a new cookie to add to your holiday repertoire, this is an easy one that looks as delicious as it tastes. The pinwheel filling includes the natural, nutty sweetness of raisins and toasted walnuts - and they only take 15 minutes in the oven!

4. Holiday Cinnamon Spiced Popcorn

This is a fun and festive snack that's perfect for party favors or a unique addition to your next cookie exchange gathering. Don't forget to sprinkle in raisins at the end for added sweetness.

5. 'Forget Fruitcake' Cookies

Created by celebrity pastry chef, TV host and recipe matchmaker Duff Goldman, this slightly more elaborate dessert is sure to wow your loved ones. Since there are a few extra steps in this one, Chef Duff advises prepping the ingredients and dough ahead of time for stress-free baking.

Bid farewell to holiday headaches and let these tasty treats and dishes inspire your time in the kitchen during the holidays and beyond. For full recipes and more innovative ideas, visit www.sunmaid.com/pullofftheholidays.