Comfort food is an absolute must this time of year.
Well, it's official: The days are getting shorter and the weather chillier. You might be starting to feel the winter blues settle in, but I'm a firm believer that comfort food this time of year can cure all (and is absolutely necessary). So from make-ahead breakfasts to cozy co*cktails, here are a few recipes to get you through the cold December days.
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1. Carrot Cake Pancakes
Ambitious Kitchen / Via ambitiouskitchen.com
Who says you can't have cake for breakfast? Not only are these pancakes gluten- and dairy-free, but they also come together in your blender in just 10 minutes.
Recipe:Carrot Cake Pancakes
2. Apple Cheddar Biscuits
Two Peas and Their Pod / Via twopeasandtheirpod.com
This sweet-and-salty combo will surely make for the best brunch. You can even add some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to take this up a notch.
Recipe:Apple Cheddar Biscuits
3. Chocolate Orange Morning Rolls
A Cozy Kitchen / Via acozykitchen.com
It might seem a little labor intensive to make your own dough, but these can easily be rolled out and put in the fridge overnight to rise, giving you an effortless breakfast in the morning.
Joy the Baker / Via joythebaker.com
Call it dessert, call it breakfast. Whenever you choose to eat this cake, you'll be greeted with the classic flavor pairing of tart cranberries and sweet oranges.
Recipe: Cranberry Orange Loaf Cake
5. Breakfast Strata With Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com
This decadent mixture of bread, eggs, and veggies is the perfect Sunday make-ahead brunch, especially if you're feeding a crowd.
Recipe:Breakfast Strata With Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
6. Savory Pear Galette With Goat Cheese and Walnuts
Coley Cooks / Via coleycooks.com
Consider this your one-and-done appetizer for the holidays. Make your own piecrust or even use store-bought puff pastry to keep this one as easy as possible.
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
I'm a firm believer that appetizers should remain as simple as possible, with the illusion that you've put a ton of effort in. Between roasting the apples and baking the Brie, most of the cooking here is hands-off so you have time to focus elsewhere.
8. Pomegranate and Pear Green Salad With Ginger Dressing
Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com
If you're looking for a salad to perfectly complement all of those hearty winter meals, look no further. Freshly toasted pecans and goat cheese give this a rich feel without overwhelming your main meal.
Recipe:Pomegranate and Pear Green Salad With Ginger Dressing
9. Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Lemony Whipped Feta
The Mediterranean Dish / Via themediterraneandish.com
Gone are the days of bland cauliflower. This one gets boiled with spices and roasted to help it get golden and crispy.
Ambitious Kitchen / Via ambitiouskitchen.com
This delicious side has all of the traditional comforting flavors you love, plus a crispy Parmesan-and-walnut topping that you cannot skip.
11. Caramelized Leek Pizza With Spicy Honey
The Original Dish / Via theoriginaldish.com
You can use store-bought dough to make this pizza more weeknight-friendly, or try your hand at making simple pizza dough if you have some time to spare.
The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com
Sweet pears, tangy buttermilk, and leeks make this soup an easy and comforting choice for those chilly days.
Recipe: Pear and Buttermilk Bisque
13. Roasted Butternut Squash With Feta and Spinach
Julia's Album / Via juliasalbum.com
Make this your centerpiece for a stunning vegetarian main, or serve it as a side dish. Whichever you choose, this minimal-effort meal will be sure to turn some heads.
14. Spicy Sausage and Kale Skillet Lasagna
How Sweet Eats / Via howsweeteats.com
Skip the tedious layering and stacking of traditional lasagna with this skillet version that simply combines everything together in one pan.
15. Pumpkin Polenta With Balsamic Roasted Beets
With Food and Love / Via withfoodandlove.com
Canned pumpkin puree simplifies this comforting vegan dish, but if you've reached your pumpkin limit for this year, try roasting and blending your favorite winter squash instead.
Coley Cooks / Via coleycooks.com
Make this chili on a cold weeknight for a healthy and hearty dinner, and definitely don't skip the toppings.
Recipe: Chicken Poblano White Bean Chili
Minimalist Baker / Via minimalistbaker.com
With only four ingredients and one pan, you've got yourself a stunning veggie side (and get to use that head of cabbage that I know is wilting in your fridge).
The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com
This classic, minimal-effort dinner gets brightened up with charred lemons and a fresh herb yogurt sauce.
Recipe: One-Pot Chicken and Rice
19. Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup
Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com
This creamy, Thai-spiced soup will be your go-to for treating that inevitable nasty winter cold we all get this time of year.
20. Creamy Balsamic Chicken and Mushrooms
How Sweet Eats / Via howsweeteats.com
This easy yet decadent dinner will instantly become part of your meal rotation. Plus, everything gets made in the same pot for a super-quick cleanup.
21. Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
Simply Recipes / Via simplyrecipes.com
Winter salads can be so much more than a side dish. If you don't believe me, just let this twist on a classic topped with lemony bread crumbs convince you.
22. Fennel Orange Pork Meatballs With Sweet Chili Glaze
The Original Dish / Via theoriginaldish.com
This fresh twist on a traditional meatball with have you going in for seconds. Serve over a bed of crisp winter veggies or with your favorite grain or pasta.
The First Mess / Via thefirstmess.com
This vegan risotto uses miso in place of Parmesan for a salty, umami-forward dish. It's the perfect opportunity to utilize all those gorgeous bitter vegetables this time of year.
Recipe: Broccoli Rabe Risotto With Balsamic Roasted Radicchio
24. Orecchiette With Creamy Carrot Miso Sauce
Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com
This creamy pasta helps you reduce food waste by utilizing the tops of your carrots to make an herby gremolata topping.
25. Persimmon Pie
Love and Olive Oil / Via loveandoliveoil.com
It may look like pumpkin, but this persimmon pie delivers a winter twist on some classic fall flavors. Look for ripened Fuyu persimmons for the best (and sweetest) results.
Recipe:Persimmon Pie
Sally's Baking Addiction / Via sallysbakingaddiction.com
Layers of pears, brown sugar caramel, and spiced gingerbread cake make this a dessert worth showing off. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and you're in for a treat.
27. Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
These holiday showstoppers give you all the warm flavors of gingerbread without the effort of rolling and breaking out the cookie cutter.
A Cozy Kitchen / Via acozykitchen.com
This take on a traditional toffee pudding uses Hachiya persimmon pulp in place of the standard dates for a creative seasonal twist on a classic.
Recipe: Sticky Toffee Persimmon Pudding
With Food and Love / Via withfoodandlove.com
Don't let the black pepper scare you off from trying this festive co*cktail (or mocktail, if you prefer) — it's really there to help mellow out the tart cranberries and provide some earthiness.
30. Cranberry, Clementine, and Rosemary co*cktail
Coley Cooks / Via coleycooks.com
This co*cktail is super easy to batch ahead of time for all of your holiday gatherings; just make your base and top with bubbles as you serve.
31. Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
The spicy cinnamon maple syrup gives this co*cktail a unique kick that's sure to warm you up. Garnishes (including a smoked cinnamon stick) are, of course, optional but add even more of a "wow" factor.
Recipe:Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash
