You've already pulled out your long clothes from the closet, the heavy blankets have been moved to the bed, and you feel like you're ready for winter, but have you also prepared your recipe book for the return of the cold days? If not, we're here to help with 6 great recipes for warm, sweet desserts that will make your winter tastier and more enjoyable. Here you’ll find unique cakes, easy-to-make cookies, indulgent chocolate brownies, and other surprises!
You can't talk about dishes with almonds without mentioning at least one dessert, and the rich and fudgy brownies in the following recipe will certainly sweeten any meal you prepare. It’s a particularly delicious and indulgent way to end a meal, and they can be served with ice cream in the summer or a hot drink in the winter.
1. Almond-Chocolate Brownies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients for Almond Brownies:
- 7 oz (200 g) dark chocolate
- 5 tbsp (70 g) coconut oil (or unsalted butter)
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup + 2 tbsp almond flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Handful of almonds, chopped
Instructions for Almond Brownies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate together with the coconut oil (or butter) in a microwave-safe bowl, using microwave pulses. Start with 30 seconds, stir, and repeat in 30-second intervals until the chocolate and coconut oil are completely melted.
- Whisk the eggs into the chocolate mixture, one at a time.
- Add the sugar and vanilla extract, and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the almond flour, baking powder, chopped almonds, and a pinch of salt.
- Add the chocolate mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until fully combined.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, let the brownies cool, and then cut them into squares.
2. French Toast Apple Cake
Apple cakes in various styles are a great dessert that many of us love to eat, but only a few have the time and energy to make them at home. The good news is that there are versions of this beloved dessert that require less work, and the following recipe might be the simplest way to enjoy it. In fact, it’s a recipe for an upgraded version of rich French toast with additions that mimic the flavors and textures of beloved apple cakes. In less than 20 minutes, you can start enjoying it! Try it today for a sweet breakfast or a simple dessert that will leave everyone with a big smile.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy+
Ingredients for Apple Cake-Flavored French Toast:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 6-8 slices white bread
- 2 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 apple, grated and divided
- Maple syrup, to taste
- Handful of roasted cashews, crushed (can be replaced with almonds)
Instructions for Apple Cake-Flavored French Toast:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Gradually stir in about ¾ of the grated apple, mixing gently as you add it.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tbsp of butter.
- Dip both sides of each slice of bread in the egg mixture, then place one or two slices at a time in the hot skillet.
- Cook the slices for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they reach your desired color and texture, then remove from the skillet.
- After cooking half of the slices, add the remaining butter to the skillet and continue frying.
- Top the cooked French toast slices with the remaining grated apple, crushed cashews or almonds, and drizzle with maple syrup to taste.
3. Hot Sangria
Sangria is a fruity, elegant wine cocktail that’s fun to make, serve, and drink. Its name comes from the Spanish word sangre, meaning blood/bleeding, due to the blood-red color of the drink. While traditionally served cold, we believe the warmed version is even tastier.
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients for hot Sangria
- 2 cups red wine (dry, preferably Spanish)
- 6 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 2 oranges, sliced into thin wedges
- 1 lemon, sliced into thin wedges
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
Instructions for hot Sangria
- Warm all the ingredients in a large pot over low to medium heat.
- Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Do not bring to a boil!
- Once the liquid is warmed (but not boiling), remove from heat.
- Let the drink cool for about 5 minutes in the pot.
- Pour into cups or transfer to a pitcher.
Chef’s Tips:
- You can use a ladle or strainer to control the amount of fruit you pour into the drink.
- Some of the fruit can be used to garnish the glasses.
- You can make a non-alcoholic version by simply omitting the red wine from the recipe.
4. Delicious Nut Cookies with Just 5 Ingredients
Many of us have a complicated relationship with baking. On one hand, there’s nothing more tempting than freshly baked cookies, but on the other hand, who has the time and energy to make them? With this simple recipe, you can make delicious nut cookies using just 5 ingredients and enjoy them after only 15 minutes in the oven.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients for Nut Cookies:
- 3 cups flour (any baking-appropriate flour can be used)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cup (about 8 oz/220 g) butter (can substitute margarine)
- 1 cup chopped pecans (or any preferred nuts or nut mixture)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions for Nut Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), and while it's heating, start preparing the cookie dough.
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients (except for the powdered sugar) until well combined and a smooth dough forms.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly flour your hands, and roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
- Note that this recipe makes a large batch of cookies, so prepare a large baking sheet, or freeze any leftover dough for future use.
- Bake the cookies for 10-15 minutes. You can check one after 10 minutes to see if it needs more baking time.
- When the cookies are ready, remove them from the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, and then sprinkle with powdered sugar if you’d like to sweeten them further.
5. Simple Apple Tart Recipe with Honey and Rosemary
With the following recipe, after about 20 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of baking, your kitchen will be filled with the incredible aroma of apples, honey, rosemary, and a rich pastry. The experience doesn’t stop at the smell—this simple dessert also has a wonderful taste and an eye-catching appearance, making it the star of any table. If you’re looking to surprise your family or serve an impressive dessert at a gathering, this is a recipe you’ll turn to again and again. And don’t worry about repetition—no one will tire of the simple, delightful taste of this tart. Enjoy!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients for Apple Tart:
- 375 g (about 13 oz) puff pastry (thawed)
- 3.5 tbsp (50 g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 egg yolk
- ⅔ cup (70 g) ground almonds (store-bought or ground in a food processor)
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- ⅔ cup (200 ml) honey (room temperature)
- 2 apples (preferably Pink Lady, thinly sliced and cored)
- Leaves from 1 rosemary sprig
- Heavy cream, whipped for serving (optional, high fat content recommended)
Instructions for Apple Tart:
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch (30 cm) round and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine the butter, egg yolk, vanilla bean paste, ground almonds, and about ¼ cup (60 ml) of honey. Stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the puff pastry, then arrange the apple slices on top.
- Drizzle about ¼ cup (60 ml) of honey over the apples and place the tart in the oven for about 20 minutes, until the pastry is golden and slightly crisp.
- While the tart is baking, heat the remaining honey with the rosemary leaves in a pan over low heat, stirring for a few minutes until the honey becomes runny. Turn off the heat.
- Once the tart is baked, remove it from the oven, pour the warm honey over the tart, and whip the cream in a suitable bowl for serving.
- Serve the tart with the whipped cream on the side.
6. Eggless Date Cake with Oats and Whole Wheat Flour
If you thought that healthy and delicious don't go together, it means you haven't yet tasted the date and oat cake in front of you. This sweet and unique dessert will undoubtedly become one of the tastiest cakes you've had so far, with its softness and delightful crunch combined with the dates, making this recipe simply perfect.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients for Date Cake:
- 20 dates (pitted, chopped, and peeled)
- 1 ½ cups warm milk
- ¾ cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup quick-cooking oats
- 1 tsp baking powder (level)
- 1 tsp baking soda (level)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup oil
Instructions for Date Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C).
- Place the dates in a food processor and blend until you get a smooth paste. Transfer to a separate bowl.
- Pour the warm milk over the date paste, mix slightly, and let it soak for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the whole wheat flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar until well combined. Set aside.
- Add the vanilla extract and oil to the soaked date mixture and mix well.
- Carefully pour the date mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased round cake pan (9.5 inches) or into two loaf pans (9 x 4 inches), filling them about ¾ full.
- After 35 minutes, you can test the cake's condition by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready!
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-45 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the oven, let it cool slightly, and serve.\
- Prepare for compliments!
