I love winter almost as much as I love baking. Together, they make perfect memories. Though I don’t prefer being cold and having cool wind whip my face, I enjoy how the lower temperatures bring us together as the semester ends. Keeping warm is not the only reason to gather, with these next sweet treat ideas you’ll be warm inside and out! Many of these are simple to make, easy to share, and perfect for consuming while watching the perfect comfort show.
Chocolate:
Chocolate is a staple in cold weather: hot chocolate, s’mores, and more! I find that chocolate sweets go best with class movies like The Polar Express (2004), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), and Home Alone (1990).
Every type of chocolate is ideal for cooler weather. White chocolate earns its favor as a drizzle on several iconic treats:
- Chocolate covered pretzels
- Dipped sugar wafers
- White chocolate frosted cookies
- Snowflake decorated chocolate strawberries and cherries
- Snickerdoodle white chocolate truffles
- Chocolate lollipops
Of course, chocolate itself is a divine flavor. Rich, milk chocolate recipes are universally loved for a reason. Chocolate is always best when snagged while baking with loved ones – who has the patience to wait for your warm cookies to finish baking anyways! Some well loved chocolates are as follows:
- Reindeer food (a twist on Puppy Chow!)
- Peanut butter kiss cookies
- Santa brownie bites
- Christmas popcorn with chocolate drizzle and candy
- S’mores and hot chocolate are truly a necessity!
- Chocolate peanut butter bars
- Dipped orange slices
Peppermint:
When I think of cold weather and the holiday season, the first food I think about is a candy cane! The iconic red and white peppermint twists are a key part of the holidays at the end of the year. The food itself is on trees, in treats, and often becomes a seasonal drink at so many coffee shops while the colors are all around: white snow, red ornaments and Christmas hats, and white lights on houses. Some of the best movies that give peppermint vibes are the Grinch movies, The Santa Clause (1994) trilogy with Tim Allen, and A Christmas Story (1983).
The easy route with peppermint treats is to make something and sprinkle some peppermint atop, however if you want something a little more involved then try these:
- Peppermint meringues
- Peppermint bark
- Peppermint Oreo bites (these can be made with the whole Oreo or by creating Oreo cake balls. It’s delicious either way!)
- Candy cane covered fudge
- Candy cane cookies with white chocolate chips
Gingerbread:
An iconic symbol of the holidays is gingerbread! It pairs so nicely with short films filled with nostalgia. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), Frosty the Snowman (1969), A Christmas Carol (2009), and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) create an environment sure to make your heart swell as you decorate gingerbread men and their houses with company! Gingerbread houses, though cute to decorate and a cause for gathering, are more often observed than eaten, but that doesn’t have to be the case:
- Gingerbread cheesecake
- Gingerbread cookies and maple
- Rice Krispies gingerbread
- Gingerbread brownies
- Oatmeal gingerbread cookies
Chocolate, peppermint, and gingerbread set a good mood in your stomach. Classic holiday movies set a good mood in your mind. The company you hold close as the temperature drops sets a good mood in your heart to keep you warm inside and out. Make the most of the end of the year (and semester) by baking together, sharing a blanket, and snuggling up with your loved ones!
You can find many of these sweets and their recipes on my Pinterest under “holiday”.