Cut-out cookies may be among the most-popular ways to enjoy gingerbread, but this sweet, slightly spicy flavor shines beyond people-shaped treats. From cocktails and cupcakes to waffles and trifles, celebrate the warm flavors of gingerbread with tried-and-true eats and drinks ideal for holiday entertaining. Read on below for Food Network's top-five seasonal gingerbread recipes and get sweet inspiration from Ina Garten, Bobby Flay, Trisha Yearwood and more of your favorite chefs.

5. Gingerbread Waffles — Start with canned pumpkin puree to keep Rachael Ray's cinnamon-spiced waffles quick and simple. Once these light, fluffy beauties are cooked, set up a toppings bar and let your family finish their waffles with syrup, whipped cream or fresh fruit.

4. Gingerbread Cupcakes with Orange Icing — For a double dose of bold ginger flavor, Ina mixes dried crystallized ginger into the molasses-spiked cupcake batter, then she sprinkles additional crystallized ginger atop the smooth citrus-cream cheese frosting.

3. Gingerbread Martini — Part dessert and part cocktail, Trisha's whipped cream-topped martini boasts a trio of liqueurs mixed with a spiced syrup featuring fragrant cloves and cinnamon. Garnish with crushed gingerbread cookies for welcome texture and added flavor.

2. Gingerbread — Slimmed — Moist, tender and full of flavor, Food Network Kitchen's crowd-pleasing gingerbread cake is a better-for-you version of the traditional dessert. This one features a combination of light buttermilk and applesauce to save on calories, but it maintains the classic taste, thanks to plenty of spices.

1. Gingerbread and Lemon Curd Trifle with Blackberry Sauce — As striking to look at as it is full of flavor, Bobby's party-ready trifle will feed up to 12 people. He stacks the big-batch dessert with buttery homemade gingerbread, plus tangy, creamy lemon curd and a fruity sauce made with sweetened blackberries. Click the play button on the video below to watch Bobby make it.