31 Comforting December Recipes That'll Help You Combat Those Winter Blues
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Consider this your one-and-done appetizer for the holidays. Make your own pie crust or even use store-bought puff pastry to keep this one as easy as possible.
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.
8.Pomegranate and Pear Green Salad with Ginger Dressing
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
Gone are the days of bland cauliflower. This one gets boiled with spices and roasted to help it get golden and crispy.
10.Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin
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
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.
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
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
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
Canned pumpkin puree simplifies this comforting vegan dish, but if you've reached your pumpkin limit this year, try roasting and blending your favorite winter squash instead.
16.Chicken Poblano White Bean Chili
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
17.Shawarma Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Green Chutney
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).
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
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
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
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
22.Fennel Orange Pork Meatballs with Sweet Chili Glaze
This fresh twist on a traditional meatball with have you going in for seconds. Serve them over a bed of crisp winter veggies or with your favorite grain or pasta.
23.Broccoli Rabe Risotto with Balsamic Roasted Radicchio
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
This creamy pasta helps you reduce food waste by utilizing the tops of your carrots to make an herby gremolata topping.
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
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.
27.Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze
These holiday show-stoppers give you all the warm flavors of gingerbread without the effort of rolling and breaking out the cookie cutter.
28.Sticky Toffee Persimmon Pudding
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
29.Cranberry Shrub with Black Pepper and Maple
Don't let the black pepper scare you off from try this festive cocktail (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 Cocktail
This cocktail 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
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
