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 cocktails, here are a few recipes to get you through the cold December days.
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1. Carrot Cake Pancakes
Who says you can't have cake for breakfast? Not only are these pancakes gluten and dairy free, they also come together in your blender in just 10 minutes.
Recipe: Carrot Cake Pancakes
Ambitious Kitchen / Via ambitiouskitchen.com 2. Apple Cheddar Biscuits
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
Two Peas and Their Pod / Via twopeasandtheirpod.com 3. Chocolate Orange Morning Rolls
It might seem a little labor intensive to make your own dough, but these can easily be rolled out and put to rise in the fridge overnight, giving you an effortless breakfast in the morning.
Recipe: Chocolate Orange Morning Rolls
A Cozy Kitchen / Via acozykitchen.com 4. Cranberry Orange Loaf Cake
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
Joy the Baker / Via joythebaker.com 5. Breakfast Strata with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
6. Savory Pear Galette with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
7. Pastry Wrapped Baked Brie with Maple Roasted Apples
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.
Recipe: Pastry Wrapped Baked Brie with Maple Roasted Apples
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com 8. Pomegranate and Pear Green Salad with Ginger Dressing
9. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Lemony Whipped Feta
10. Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin
11. Caramelized Leek Pizza with Spicy Honey
12. Pear and Buttermilk Bisque
13. Roasted Butternut Squash with Feta and Spinach
14. Spicy Sausage and Kale Skillet Lasagna
15. Pumpkin Polenta with Balsamic Roasted Beets
16. Chicken Poblano White Bean Chili
17. Shawarma Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Green Chutney
18. One Pot Chicken and Rice
19. Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup
20. Creamy Balsamic Chicken and Mushrooms
21. Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
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 breadcrumbs convince you.
Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad
Simply Recipes / Via simplyrecipes.com 22. Fennel Orange Pork Meatballs with Sweet Chili Glaze
23. Broccoli Rabe Risotto with Balsamic Roasted Radicchio
24. Orecchiette with Creamy Carrot Miso Sauce
25. Persimmon Pie
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
Love and Olive Oil / Via loveandoliveoil.com 26. Upside-Down Pear Gingerbread Cake
Layers of pears, brown sugar caramel, and warm-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.
Recipe: Upside-Down Pear Gingerbread Cake
Sally's Baking Addiction / Via sallysbakingaddiction.com 27. Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze
28. Sticky Toffee Persimmon Pudding
29. Cranberry Shrub with Black Pepper and Maple
30. Cranberry, Clementine, and Rosemary Cocktail
31. Cinnamon Apple Bourbon Smash
The spicy cinnamon maple syrup gives this cocktail 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
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com View comments