Teri Hatcher will be 'baking and baking' over Christmas

Teri Hatcher will be "baking and baking" throughout the festive season.

The 59-year-old actress loves creating "extravagant" gingerbread structures, admitting that it's become one of her festive traditions over recent years.

Teri told PEOPLE: "I'm definitely that person who's in my kitchen, baking and baking, baking and baking, and having Christmas movies basically on 24/7 in the background."

Teri has leaned on her daughter Emerson, 27, to help to turn her ideas into reality.

The actress - who previously played Susan Mayer in 'Desperate Housewives' - shared: "She certainly learned a lot from me about cooking and she loves to cook herself, but in terms of baking, the gingerbread thing is always a pretty big deal."

Despite this, Teri is still looking for inspiration for her next gingerbread creation.

She said: "I did really love the Barbie house and I've been very into Legos of late."

Earlier this year, meanwhile, Teri admitted it would be "wonderful" if she found love again.

The Hollywood star - who was previously married to Marcus Leithold and to Jon Tenney - revealed that she's still open to the possibility of finding love.

Teri told 'Extra': "I definitely have an open heart if I met the right guy. That would be wonderful, but mostly I date my cat at this point.

"She’s so freaking cute. You just look at her little face and I can’t stand it. I just love her."

Although Teri is currently single, the actress insisted that she's very happy with where she's at in her life.

Teri - who played Lois Lane on the TV series 'Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' in the 90s - said: "I love my life. I love my friends."