Winter desserts are probably one of the best things during the cold season. They warm up the home, they smell so good, and they’re comforting to sit down to with a hot cup of coffee (or whatever you’re drinking).
Also, you don’t really have to wait until the evening to make them; sometimes an afternoon dessert when it’s cold outside is a very good idea.
And if you’re craving something cozy and sweet on a cold day, then this list is the perfect place to grab a warm and satisfying dessert. So scroll, pick a few warm desserts to try, and make the chilly weather a lot more enjoyable.
1. 10-Minute Fried Donut Bites With Burnt Caramel Sauce
I’m sorry, but 10 minutes and no yeast? I think I’ll be making this cozy winter dessert this very weekend. Also, they look like they would go perfect with some hot coffee on a lazy Sunday morning.
So if you want a comfort dessert without all the effort, then this is your answer.
GET THE RECIPE2. Caramelized Apple Sponge Cake With Streusel Topping
Caramelized apple sponge cake sounds like one of those elevated and super tasty recipes that came out a fashionable food magazine. Also with a streusel topping, this one is high on my list of hot desserts to try. So if you find yourself needing comfort food on a wintry day, then this might be a good option.
GET THE RECIPE3. Chocolate Fudge Tahini Cookies
If you’re craving cookies (because who isn’t), then I think you need some super fudgy chocolatey ones to get you through the cold nights. Also this dessert is ready in just 20 minutes meaning you can have your sweet cravings taken care of fast.
GET THE RECIPE4. Apple Pop Tarts
I’ve wanted to make pop tarts from home for awhile, and these ones look amazing. Like the perfect thing to have on a cold January night (or for breakfast).
Also, it looks like a great recipe to pull out on a snowed-in afternoon. It’s more of a process than the other desserts on this list, but that’s ok, you have time to kill on days like that.
GET THE RECIPE5. Vegan Cranberry Orange Spiced Bourbon Muffins
These muffins look so soft and delicious. Also, I bet this light, fluffy dessert tastes amazing when it’s fresh out of the oven!
So if you like zesty orange, warming spices, tart cranberries, and other wintry ingredients, then this is a great dessert to try this cold season!
GET THE RECIPE6. Morello Cherry Crumble
This is probably the kind of winter dessert recipe you make when you’re having friends over and you wanna make them feel a bit special. It honestly looks like a warm hug on a cold day and the perfect thing to sit around and enjoy while talking to said friends.
GET THE RECIPE7. Strawberry Apple Crisp
I love crisps, they’re so good and so perfect for cold nights. They’re wonderfully crunchy, sweet, and tangy, and go so well with ice cream or freshly whipped cream. I honestly feel like crisps are just winter in dessert form.
Also, strawberry and apple sounds like an amazing combo. And if you want something hearty, cozy, and filled with warming spices, then put this on your winter dessert rotation.
GET THE RECIPE8. Spiced Poached Pears (No Wine)
If you wanna warm your soul this winter, then this is the move. It’s a unique winter dessert that feels a bit more elevated, but still comforting.
Also, I’ve wanted to try spiced poached pears for quite a while now; they always look so pretty and delicious!
GET THE RECIPE9. Stuffed Baked Apples
I’ve never thought of stuffing an apple, but now I can’t stop thinking about it. And especially since it has a cinnamony buttery filling. The prep is just 10 minutes and the recipe only requires 5 ingredients (not counting the water). So if you wanna try a winter dessert that looks amazing, but doesn’t require a lot of effort, then this might be your answer.
GET THE RECIPE10. Baileys Tiramisu
I like tiramisu, but I feel like adding Baileys would take it to the next level. I mean how amazing and rich does that dessert look? It’s perfect for the holidays or for when you just wanna be extra on a random weeknight.
GET THE RECIPE11. Orange Honey Upside Down Cake
Upside down cakes never fail to impress me, and this citrusy honey upside down cake looks like the perfect thing to serve after a warming dinner. This might also be a great recipe to make if you’re having dinner parties this winter, but that’s just me.
GET THE RECIPE12. Apple and Fig Polenta Torta
Apple and fig polenta torta sounds so fancy. I could honestly see Martha Stewart serving this with coffee on a cold evening. Also, coming from Italy, I feel like this just has to be amazing.
It has delicious ingredients like dried figs, honey, olive oil, cinnamon, apples, and orange zest. It really sounds great for those extra cold days.
GET THE RECIPE13. Whole Wheat Muffins With Apples and Raisins
Something about these muffins just looks so wholesome and comforting. Like you break out some nice tea, cozy up on the couch, and that’s how you enjoy the evening.
Or you could make these the night before and enjoy as a quick breakfast, up to you!
GET THE RECIPE14. Malva Pudding
I had no idea what malva pudding was before today, but now I really want it. It look so decadent and sweet that I think I need to try it as soon as I can.
But what is it? In short, it’s a South African toffee pudding-like desserts that’s caramelized and soaked in a cream sauce. Doesn’t that sound ridiculously good?
GET THE RECIPE15. Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake
An old-fashioned apple cake just sounds like something a grandmother would make when the cold weather hit. Like it’s the kind of winter dessert you smell baking in her oven as soon as you arrive and it always hits.
Oh, and it has a dulce de leche topping which makes this try-worthy for me.
GET THE RECIPE16. Easy Apple Fritter Rings
Just read over this recipe today and will probably be making this tomorrow (not joking). It’s so easy!
The dessert is just 10 minutes of prep, 15 minutes of cooking, and a lot of very simple (but delicious) ingredients. So if you want something quick on a cold night, then this is a great one to try.
GET THE RECIPE17. Lemon Cardamom Olive Oil Cake
I love lemon desserts, and I would probably eat 4 pieces of this recipe in one sitting (and then regret it). No but seriously, just the name sounds amazing. I feel like this winter dessert has to be rich, fluffy, and moist.
Also, this recipe has candied cardamom lemon slices which sounds equal parts elevated and delicious.
GET THE RECIPE18. Pumpkin Crisp
I don’t care if it’s fall or not, this dessert should probably be made. I mean in my opinion, pumpkin desserts are some of the best sweets to be enjoyed on a cold day.
Also, it has a pumpkin pie filling with a spiced and buttery crisp topping. I feel like the contrasting textures have to be amazing.
GET THE RECIPE19. Banoffee Pie
So I just read up on what a banofee pie is.
Essentially, it’s a British dessert with a buttery biscuit base, a thick caramel sauce, bananas, and whipped cream. It honestly sounds so rich and good. So if you’re craving creamy, caramel goodness on a cold winter night, then this is a great recipe to try!
GET THE RECIPE20. Andes Mint Cookies
Mint and chocolate are so satisfying, and if you’re in the cookie baking mood, then this is the winter dessert to make tonight. I feel like the flavor would almost remind me of a mint hot chocolate, but that’s just me.
GET THE RECIPE
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.