Keep the winter blues away with these dessert recipes that will warm you from the inside out. Think hot chocolate, bread pudding, cobbler and so much more.
76 Wintry Treats That Will Make You Feel Warm and Cozy
Hot Ginger Coffee
I like to sit by the fire and sip this coffee on a cold winter day. It’s a wonderful warmup after shoveling snow, skiing, skating or snowmobiling. —Audrey Thibodeau, Gilbert, Arizona
1/76
2/76
Turtle Skillet
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This caramel-chocolate dip with buttery biscuit dippers is delicious! You can use refrigerated croissants instead of biscuits for a flakier texture and caramel dip instead of sauce. —Betsy Tankersley, Flat Rock, North Carolina
3/76
Slow-Cooker Apple Cobbler
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a fabulous recipe to serve on Christmas or any other cold morning. The apples can be peeled if preferred. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
4/76
Slow-Cooked Gingered Pears
Total Time
4 hours 35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My slow cooker allows me to serve a heartwarming dessert without much effort. Topped with caramel sauce, these tender pears feature a surprise filling of nuts and brown sugar.—Catherine Mueller, St. Paul, Minnesota
5/76
Slow-Cooker Lava Cake
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love chocolate. Perhaps that’s why this decadent slow-cooker cake has long been a family favorite. Sometimes I serve it warm, with vanilla ice cream; the cake can also be served cold. —Elizabeth Farrell, Hamilton, Montana
6/76
Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There's nothing better than this comforting bread pudding on a cold, wintry day. The bourbon sauce tastes extravagant, but it's really simple to prepare. The slow cooker does the most of the work for you! —Hope Johnson, Youngwood, Pennsylvania
7/76
Skillet Stout Brownies
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These stout brownies are so rich and fudgy. I also love that it comes together quickly, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. —Mandy Naglich, New York, New York
8/76
Easy Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s an easy apple crisp! This is a delicious dessert perfect for young cooks to prepare. It’s super simple to make since there’s no crust—just a crumbly topping. Plus, with apples and oats, it’s a wholesome treat. —Sheri Hatten, Devil’s Lake, North Dakota
9/76
Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears
Total Time
4 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Some of the many reasons I love this dessert recipe are: it's on the healthy side; it's easy to make; the recipe can be mostly prepared in advance of company arriving; and the presentation is lovely.—Jill Mant, Denver, Colorado
10/76
Banana Bread Pudding
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I visited my grandmother in summer, I always looked forward to the comforting pudding she'd make. With its crusty golden top, custard-like inside and smooth vanilla sauce, this bread pudding is a real homespun dessert. Now I make it for my grandchildren. —Mary Detweiler, Middlefield, Ohio
11/76
Black Forest Panettone Pudding
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My chocolate-cherry bread pudding uses panettone, the holiday bread people often receive but aren’t sure how to use. I make a glorious sauce for it using ice cream. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
12/76
Gingerbread Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The rich molasses and spice flavor of this old-time dessert is complemented with a buttery caramel sauce.—Joy Sparks, Muskegon, Michigan
13/76
French Hot Chocolate
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my fondest memories of Paris was sipping a cup of thick, dark hot chocolate at one of their patisseries. French hot chocolate is velvety smooth, rich, decadent and almost the consistency of a molten chocolate bar. It is meant to be sipped slowly and savored. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon. If you’re looking for something different, then try this frozen hot chocolate.
14/76
Ginger Apple-Pear Crisp
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy autumn aromas—apples, cinnamon and spices—in this delicious recipe. It's even better with a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin ice cream! Whipped cream is always an option. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
15/76
Chocolate Peppermint Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests make sure to save room for this light and moist cake with its refreshing mint flavor and chocolate glaze. Its seasonal look makes it perfect for Christmas…a holiday birthday party…or other festive gatherings!
16/76
Tropical Cranberry Cobbler
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The sunny island flavors of pineapple and orange go so well with the tart cranberries in this dessert. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it a tasty treat. —Jeanne Holt, St. Paul, MN
17/76
New England Indian Pudding
Total Time
3 hours 45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was inspired by traditional New England Indian pudding. My version is made in the slow cooker instead of being baked for hours in the oven. If the molasses flavor is too strong, cut the amount to 1/3 cup. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
18/76
Pumpkin Sheet Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The pastor at our church usually cuts his message short on carry-in dinner days when he knows this sheet cake is waiting in the fellowship hall. (I think he prays for leftovers since he gets to take them home!) This moist cake travels well and is also easy to prepare.
-Nancy Baker, Boonville, Missouri
-Nancy Baker, Boonville, Missouri
19/76
Cherry Upside-Down Bread Pudding
Total Time
3 hours 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always loved bread pudding, and I enjoy fixing this for my family on a chilly day. You could use a different flavor of pie filling and omit the chocolate chips to make a completely different dessert. It's always delicious! —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
20/76
Amaretto Cherries with Dumplings
Total Time
8 hours
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can't beat the combination of almond flavor with cherries. These light and fluffy dumplings are heavenly. Topped with the sauce and ice cream, it makes for a scrumptious dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
21/76
Cinnamon Apples
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re feeling festive, scoop some vanilla ice cream over a bowl of my cinnamon spiced apples. They’re homey, aromatic and just plain heavenly. —Amie Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
22/76
Caramel Mocha
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can easily indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink at home anytime. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this mocha treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
23/76
Skillet Brownies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a fun and festive way to serve brownies. Family and friends will love topping their pieces with whipped cream and strawberries. —Johnnie McLeod, Bastrop, Louisiana
24/76
Croissant Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my mother's best recipes! I'm sure your family will be delighted with it too. Serve it as a dessert or a very special breakfast treat. —Jerri Gradert, Lincoln, Nebraska
25/76
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The combination of mocha and peanut butter will satisfy every sweet tooth at your table. The garnish is a little extra work, but what are special occasions for? —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska
26/76
Burgundy Pears
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These warm spiced pears elevate slow cooking to a new level of elegance, yet they're incredibly easy to make. Your friends won't believe this fancy-looking dessert came from a slow cooker. —Elizabeth Hanes, Peralta, New Mexico
27/76
Caribbean Bread Pudding
Total Time
4 hours 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A completely unexpected dessert from the slow cooker, my bread pudding is loaded with wonderful tropical flavors. I like to garnish it with a slice of fresh pineapple, whipped cream and a cherry—just like a pina colada! —Elizabeth Doss, California City, California
28/76
Gingersnap Rum Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother makes incredible apple crisp, and I've added a few twists of my own. We think it's best warm, with ice cream on the side. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
29/76
Cranberry Peach Cobbler
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cobbler is a little nontraditional but it will soon be at the front of your recipe list. Serve it warm with French vanilla ice cream. —Grace Sandvigen, Rochester, New York
30/76
Apple and Squash Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Someone brought this crisp to a parish dinner at my church. I asked for the recipe, and now I take this yummy dessert to every potluck I attend. —Therese Butler, Ijamsville, Maryland
31/76
Warm Rocky Road Cake
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When it's warm, this reminds me of super moist lava cake. And until I made this, I didn't think a slow-cooker cake could be so attractive. It's a real winner. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia
32/76
Cranberry Stuffed Apples
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts add a homey autumn flavor to these stuffed apples, while the slow cooker does most of the work. —Graciela Sandvigen, Rochester, New York
33/76
Minister's Delight
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly. —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
34/76
Apple Snickerdoodle Dump Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With an apple farm just down the road, I'm always looking for creative ways to use up those bushels. We love this cozy apple snickerdoodle dump cake with caramel drizzle and a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
35/76
Cherry-Peach Dumplings
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can make this fruity dessert on your stovetop, but to really impress your guests, simmer it in an electric skillet right at the dinner table. There’s no more convenient way to enjoy the fruits of the season. —Patricia Frerk, Syracuse, New York
36/76
Pizookie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bake up the ultimate shareable cookie. For variety, swap out the chocolate chips for an equal quantity of M&M's or chocolate chunks. Or go super fancy by mixing the chocolate chips and pecans into the dough, then gently folding in 1-1/2 cups fresh raspberries. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
37/76
Apple-Nut Bread Pudding
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Traditional bread pudding gives way to autumn's influences in this comforting dessert. I add apples and pecans to this slow-cooked version, then top warm servings with ice cream. —Lori Fox, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
38/76
Warm Cinnamon-Apple Topping
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
about 6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll quickly warm up to the old-fashioned taste of this cinnamon-apple topping. Spoon it over vanilla ice cream or slices of pound cake. —Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
39/76
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Monkey Bread
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
18 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Time to give rum cake a little competition! If this boozy take on monkey bread is too strong for your taste, cut back on the bourbon or use milk as a non-alcoholic substitute. —James Schend, Plesant Prairie, Wisconsin
40/76
Butterscotch-Pecan Bread Pudding
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Bread pudding fans just might hoard this yummy butterscotch version. Toppings like whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle make this dessert absolutely irresistible. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
41/76
Mocha Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Without a doubt, this is the best cake I've ever made. It's a decadent dessert that I share with everyone I can! —Katherine DeLoach, Visalia, California
42/76
Macaroon Apple Cobbler
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Especially when I'm just serving a dessert, I like to prepare this. I'll usually make it with fresh apples, but I've also sometimes used home-canned ones. —Phyllis Hinck, Lake City, Minnesota
43/76
Crock-Pot Lava Cake
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone who tries this dessert falls in love with it. Using a slow cooker liner makes cleanup a breeze. —Latona Dwyer, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
44/76
Banana Bread Pudding
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I visited my grandmother in summer, I always looked forward to the comforting pudding she'd make. With its crusty golden top, custard-like inside and smooth vanilla sauce, this bread pudding is a real homespun dessert. Now I make it for my grandchildren. —Mary Detweiler, Middlefield, Ohio
45/76
Pear Crisp
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Since my husband is a livestock truck driver, he often starts work early in the morning. This pear crisp recipe will keep him going until breakfast. Our two boys love to have it for dessert and in their school lunches. —Joanne Korevaar, Burgessville, Ontario
46/76
Chocolate Cobbler
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It's impossible to resist the flavorful chocolate cobbler sauce that appears when this delightful cake bakes. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
47/76
Cherry Pudding Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this cherry dessert is awesome. Add it to your list of trusty potluck recipes, because this one is sure to go fast. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
48/76
Banana and Chocolate Puff Pastry
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Banana with chocolate is such an irresistible combo that I make this quick dessert often. You can also top these tasty bundles with the butter and brown sugar mixture left over from coating the bananas, or sprinkle on a dash of sea salt. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
49/76
Apple Streusel
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Many people don't think of using a slow cooker to make dessert, but I like having this hot, scrumptious apple treat waiting to be served when we finish up our dinner. I start it in the morning and don't think about it all day. —Jacki Every, Rotterdam, New York
50/76
Warm Chocolate Melting Cups
Total Time
40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These little cakes have become a favorite of our guests. They are always surprised that such a chocolaty dessert is so light—less than 200 calories apiece! —Kissa Vaughn, Troy, Texas
51/76
Fried Sweet Potato Pies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
25 pies
From the Recipe Creator:
With my dad being a farmer who grew them, sweet potatoes have graced our table for as long as I can recall. This recipe, however, resulted from an experiment for a church bake sale when we had excess pastry. People couldn't get enough of these pies! —Marilyn Moseley, Toccoa, Georgia
52/76
Apple Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
53/76
Bread Pudding with Nutmeg
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I always make this bread pudding recipe for my dad on his birthday and holidays. He says it tastes exactly like the bread pudding he enjoyed as a child. —Donna Powell, Montgomery City, Missouri
54/76
Mocha Mint Coffee
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This doctored-up coffee benefits from hints of mint, cocoa and cinnamon. The marshmallows on top are a playful addition that brings out the youngster in anyone. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
55/76
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Apple cranberry crisp is a wonderful dessert for fall, when both cranberries and apples are in season. The fruits are quite compatible in flavor and color, and they help make any table look festive and inviting. —Martha Sue Stroud, Clarksville, Texas
56/76
Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
Total Time
1 hour 35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
57/76
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
58/76
Date Pudding Cobbler
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There were eight children in my family when I was a girl, and all of us enjoyed this cobbler. I now serve it for everyday and special occasions alike. —Carolyn Miller, Guys Mills, Pennsylvania
59/76
Slow-Cooker Baked Apples
Total Time
4 hours 25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Coming home to this irresistible dessert on a dreary day is just wonderful; it’s slow-cooker easy. — Evangeline Bradford, Erlanger, Kentucky
60/76
Apple Pandowdy
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This apple pandowdy, which comes from a very old cookbook, is tangy and delicious. —Doreen Lindquist, Thompson, Manitoba
61/76
Tillie's Ginger Crumb Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe goes back at least as far as my grandmother, who was born in the early 1900s. Our sons and I enjoy eating it in a bowl with milk poured on it—much to the dismay of my husband, who prefers it plain! —Kathy Nienow Clark, Byron, Michigan
62/76
Skillet Chocolate Dumplings
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Why bake when you can make an entire dessert on the stovetop? These dumplings are often requested by my family for special events like birthdays.—Becky Magee, Chandler, Arizona
63/76
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I can't wait for fall to arrive so my favorite coffee shops will bring back pumpkin lattes. The rest of the year, I have to make my own version. With the right amount of spice, it tastes just like the popular version found at gourmet coffee shops.—Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
64/76
Baked Apple Surprise
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet-savory recipe is a favorite. Use Brie instead of blue cheese if you like things creamier. My tip? Bake the apples in a muffin tin so they won’t roll around. —Jessica Levinson, Nyack, New York
65/76
Slow-Cooker Dump Cake
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No matter the season, this dump cake recipe is wonderful! It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Josephine, Texas
66/76
Cherry Cobbler
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Berries, peaches or any fruit can be used for this simple cobbler recipe, but the cheery bright color of cherries makes it just right for gray winter days. —Eleanor Jacoby, Eureka, Kansas
67/76
Raisin Date Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
All my leftover bread ends (raisin bread is a favorite in this house) and buns go in the freezer. Then, when I've stashed away enough, I whip up a batch of this pudding. It's an all-occasion dish—I've made it for holidays, potlucks, picnics...for any occasion or no occasion! —Dawn Green, Hopkins, Michigan
68/76
Chocolate Espresso Lava Cake
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When a chocolate craving hits, I whip up this cake my aunt inspired. It’s gooey and saucy but not crazy sweet. It’s also potluck-perfect. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
69/76
Plum Crisp with Crunchy Oat Topping
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Made with fresh plums and a crunchy oat topping, this crisp is a lighter alternative to classic fruit pie. It goes over well with the women in my church group.—Deidre Kobel, Boulder, Colorado
70/76
Peach Crumble
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We save our forks after dinner so we can enjoy this yummy old-fashioned peach crumble dessert. It’s delicious, so easy to make and wonderful with ice cream. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
71/76
Toffee-Pear Crisp Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son loves pear crisp, but one night I was making bread pudding. He asked if I could make both. I compromised by combining two desserts into this one dish. It's absolutely fantastic! —Kurt Wait, Redwood City, California
72/76
Caramel Dumplings
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family just loves these tender dumplings in the sweet, rich sauce. I love them because they turn out wonderful every time I make them, which is a lot! —Faye Johnson, Connersville, Indiana
73/76
Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of the best peach dump cake recipes in the world. It's sweet, tender cake with a beautifully crisp cobbler topping. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, and dessert's golden. —Keri Sparks, Little Elm, Texas
74/76
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Old-fashioned but never out of style, I got this favorite pumpkin recipe from an elderly aunt. —Lois Fetting, Nelson, Wisconsin
75/76
Apple Cornbread Crisp
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With hearty ingredients and quick prep time, this warm apple crisp makes a delicious, wholesome dessert for any fall night. It reminds me of the recipe my grandmother would serve after our big family seafood dinners. It's absolutely wonderful topped with ice cream. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
76/76
Cinnamon Roll Cherry Cobbler
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Red Hots and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it’s as good as I remembered. It is! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho
Check out this winter gift guide for more holiday inspiration.