If the chilly weather has you down, try out one of these Perfect Easy Recipes to Warm You Up All Winter Long! From easy slow cooker recipes, to a batch of warm and crumbly Gingerbread Scones, I’ve rounded up all my favorite winter recipes to keep you nice and cozy, regardless of what the weather is doing outside! And if you happen to live in a warmer climate, feel free to blast that AC and cozy up with a fire sound crackling on your tv!
When those colder months start creeping around the corner and all you want to do is stay inside and stay warm, I have just the thing for you! Below I have featured some of my all-time favorite winter comfort food recipes! Winter baking is almost as fun as fall baking for me! I love staying inside while a batch of warm cookies are baking in the oven! Or starting the day off by prepping the crockpot so each hour the house smells just that much better and cozier!
If you want a complete list of all of my favorite winter and fall recipes, I have them all linked here for you! Just click on ‘By Season’ and you can find all of my favorite recipes linked there! From easy appetizers, to hearty soups, and delicious cookies, there’s really so many that it’s impossible to fit all in one blog post!
Be sure to try out some of these recipes today to keep that cozy chill away! And bonus if there’s a cozy blanket and a puzzle in the background!
This Crockpot Pumpkin Chili is on repeat almost every week in my household once that first fall leave falls! The combination of the sweet potatoes with the green peppers and all of the delicious chili spices will definitely warm you up on a cold night! Chili is one of those perfect meals that it makes a ton of food and the leftovers are somehow even better the next day! It’s also great for a crowd because you can lay out a ton of different mix-ins and make almost like a build-your-own-chili bar! I recommend having some crunchy tortilla chips, sour cream, olives, cheddar cheese, avocado, cilantro, and some lime wedges! I think of chili like a taco bowl almost where adding the mix-ins on top is the best part!
This cozy comforting recipe is perfect for those busy nights when you want something delicious but don’t feel like putting in a lot of effort! Just toss all of the ingredients into the crockpot in the morning and by dinnertime you have a delicious and cozy meal!
This is also a great recipe to substitute and customize to how you like it! For example, I used ground turkey, but you could substitute with ground Italian sausage, beef, or make this a vegetarian recipe by using ground tofu and some black beans! This can be whatever kind of Pumpkin Chili you’re craving!
Can you even picture a more cozy dinner idea than a bowl of warm tomato soup, a crisp grilled cheese and a winter candle flickering in the background!? Tomato soup is one of my favorite comfort meals because it comes together so fast! The only requirement I have for tomato soup is that it needs some cheese and and crusty, crunchy bread! So if grilled cheese isn’t your vibe, then I recommend adding a good sprinkle of parmesan cheese and serve it with a loaf of French bread!
If you like a little kick with your food, feel free to add some red pepper flakes, chili powder, or even a few splashes of hot sauce into your soup! Nothing will warm you up quicker on a chilly winter days than a little hot sauce kick! This is another fun recipe that the whole family will love and is a super easy dinner idea!
One honorable mention that didn’t make the list would definitely have to be my Chicken Pot Pie! There’s something so cozy about a hearty chicken filling with layers of flaky puff pastry on top! Be sure to check out that recipe here!
With the winter season arriving, that means all of the holiday parties and get togethers! This Easy Brie Appetizer is one of my favorite go-to appetizers for the winter months! It comes together all in one pot and is the perfect combination of sweet and savory! The melty gooey brie pairs perfectly with the crunchy nuts and the drizzle of maple syrup!
It’s great for a party because there’s not a lot of clean up involved and you can serve it with a ton of different dipping options! From pretzels, to bread, to fruit, there’s really a ton of different options that work for everyone!
Top tip
If you’re trying to think of ways to make any summer recipe cozy, my favorite tip would be to replace any vegetable or fruit with a seasonal option! For example, if you’re looking at a blueberry muffin recipe, try swapping the blueberries out for cranberries and adding in some cinnamon and orange zest! Or if you’re making a summer pasta dish that’s made with tomatoes and zucchini, try swapping the tomatoes for sun dried or roasted tomatoes and adding in an autumnal squash! You can also add a couple tablespoons of pumpkin puree to your favorite pasta sauces to add a bit of cozy vibes! I made a pumpkin vodka sauce the other night for dinner that was so warm and cozy while still being quick and easy!
4. Gingerbread Scones
I couldn’t finish out this recipe without including some kind of sweet treats to make during the winter months! Of course, December is full of delicious holiday baking and cookies, but January and February still need some baked goods to keep us warm! These Gingerbread Scones are just the thing to make for a chilly winter morning! I picture frost on the windows, cozy jazz in the background, and a warm candle flickering in the morning breeze! Now picture all of that, with a warm scone in hand! Pretty perfect, huh?
There’s something about making scones that feels so relaxing to me! I used to be intimidated by making scones, but once I figured it out, they are now one of my favorites to make! Instead of using a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the dough, I use a box grater to grate my butter into little pieces! Then I freeze those pieces for about 15 minutes while I gather all the other ingredients! This helps incorporate the butter quicker into the dry ingredients while it’s still cold! It creates the perfect flaky layers that everyone loves in scones without too much work on your end! Of course, adding in gingerbread spices just makes these feel that much more seasonally appropriate! I recommend making these and then climbing right back into bed!
5. Pumpkin Maple Bread
For another delicious breakfast recipe, this Pumpkin Maple Bread is a for sure winner! I said breakfast recipe, but really this recipe can do it all! It’s perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee, or to enjoy with your afternoon tea! If you wanted to get really crazy (which I think you should), you could serve it for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Maple extract is one of my favorite tricks during the fall and winter season for adding a touch of warmth to any baked goods! Whenever I’m making pancakes or French toast, I love adding in just a few drops of maple extract! It makes the whole house smell like warm cozy maple syrup, without adding any extra sweetness to your baked goods! You can find this online or at specialty food stores! I highly recommend adding this ingredient to your pantry staples! You only need a few drops to really infuse your recipe so it lasts for a pretty long time! I add in whenever I’m adding vanilla extract! It’s delicious in muffins, oatmeal, cookies, and of course, this Pumpkin Bread!
Cheers!
-Holly Michelle
