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With the ice cold temperatures outside, you’ll definitely want to warm up inside with these winter baking recipes. Whether you’re craving some homemade muffins or chewy cookies, these winter desserts are perfect for the holidays or just because!
Although there are lots of desserts we make around the holidays, this post is specifically about recipes that require you to turn on the oven. Save the no-bake cookies or homemade truffles for a different list!
I wanted to compile a list of recipes so tempting that you’d instantly want to preheat the oven and start bringing some butter to room temperature.
Want to turn your kitchen into a holiday laboratory? This master list of 60+ homemade Christmas gifts is perfect for a DIY holiday!
Winter Muffin Recipes
Pear Ginger Muffins
Exotic pears and warm spicy candied ginger make these muffins tender and moist, with a cozy flavor that celebrates the season. The perfect choice with a cup of steaming tea or coffee, for when you want something that’s simple to make but tastes extra special.
Vanilla Crumb Muffins
These vanilla muffins are for vanilla lovers everywhere. They’re light and fluffy with a crispy muffin top, and all dressed up with a crunchy topping. With a little vanilla bean glaze they’re genuinely irresistible.
Cranberry White Chocolate Muffins
This recipe is designed as a charming Christmas gift of muffin mix in a jar, and with the colorful dried cranberries it looks so festive as a homemade seasonal gift!
They’re not just good for gifting, though. Everyone raves about the soft, moist texture and fragrant orange flavor that elevates the cranberries.
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
Although lemon seems like a summer flavor, citrus season is during the coldest days of the years! This gives you a sunny reprieve from the gloomy weather, and the bright lemon glaze tastes like concentrated lemonade.
Winter Scone Recipes
Eggnog Scones
If you’re like me, you can’t wait until eggnog season so you can enjoy your fill of this special beverage. These tall and tender eggnog scones are elevated with the addition of eggnog and spices. They’re gorgeous on a Christmas brunch table or at any holiday meal.
Date Walnut Scones
I promise – these scones only look humble. They’re so simple to make and actually contain no sugar in the scone dough, but the dates, fresh orange zest, and nutty walnuts add so much flavor. The sprinkle of sugar on top adds just the right touch of sweetness while the heavy cream keeps them buttery and tender.
Blood Orange Scones
Blood orange season is short, so I like to take advantage by adding this special citrus to my winter baking especially around January and February.
These tender, flaky blood orange scones have blood orange juice and zest in the batter and the glaze. Add dried cherries for a sweet burst of flavor and they taste like citrus sunshine on a wintry day.
Vanilla Bean Scones
You may enjoy vanilla bean all year, and I do, too, but I especially enjoy these scones during the winter. During the summer, I’m too distracted by fresh fruits and berries, but winter is the perfect time to really savor the aromatic, floral notes of real vanilla bean.
Cardamom Scones
My tender and flaky scone recipe is kicked up a notch with the addition of homemade cardamom extract. This subtle spice adds so much flavor without being overpowering.
Lemon White Chocolate Scones
I love baking with lemons in winter to take advantage of citrus season and add some bright sunny flavor to the cold days. The brightness of lemon juice with creamy sweet white chocolate chips is a match made in heaven.
Blue Cheese Scones with Pear and Walnut
Ready to try something different? These savory scones combine salty blue cheese, sweet fresh pear, and crunchy walnuts. The result is amazing – sweet, salty, tangy, crunchy, flaky scone goodness. Try these for a special brunch or for an afternoon snack.
Winter Cookies and Bars
Honey Gingerbread
These soft gingerbread cookies are some of the best I’ve made, and I make a lot of gingerbread! They’re mild, with just the right amount of dried ginger, clove, and cinnamon, along with rich honey. Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters and stamps and glaze them so they’ll be extra pretty.
Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
This little cookie looks simple but is packed with holiday flavor. They’re chewy, soft, and crunchy at the same time, with lots of healthy oats, walnuts, maple syrup, and little jewel-like pieces of dried cranberry. Great with a cup of coffee or tea and, warning: They can be kind of addictive!
Maple Pecan Cookies
Crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, these maple pecan cookies are my favorite kind of cookie. They have just the right amount of maple sweetness, along with crunchy pecans and brown butter. You’ll want to keep these on hand for holiday munching and for sharing with others.
Winter Blondie Recipes
Snickerdoodle Blondies
If you love classic snickerdoodles, you’re going to love this quick and easy version for your holiday baking. They have a crispy, crunchy cinnamon-sugar topping and a chewy blondie base. And, bonus: they come together in minutes!
Gingerbread Blondies
No time to make gingerbread cookies?. Gingerbread blondies have the same warm spices and thick, soft gingerbread texture that we love, but with one-bowl mixing they’re quick and easy! Add tangy spiced cream cheese frosting and they’ll look special for the holidays.
Chewy Lemon Blondies
Are these blondies or brownies? Well, they’re kind of both, with the chewy texture of a brownie but no chocolate. Instead, you get a burst of tart and sweet citrusy flavor that’s over-the-top delicious. They come together in minutes, which we all need during the holidays!
Seasonal Crisps, Cobblers, and Crumbles
Cranberry Apple Crisp
When you want a dessert that is the epitome of comfy winter vibes, cranberry apple crisp is it! Traditional apple crisp gets an upgrade here with fresh cranberries and apples all cozied-up together under a buttery oat crumble and topped with vanilla ice cream – yum!
Pear Crumble
This seasonal pear crumble features lots of tender, fragrant pears under a brown sugar crumble topping. I could easily eat this dessert hot or cold at any time of day, and find myself craving it as soon as the temperatures drop!
Related Posts
Want even more cozy bakes to choose from? These autumn baking recipes are all about apples, pears, warm spices, and pumpkin.
Learn more about slow living in winter and embrace this slower, colder season.
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