31 Cozy Recipes That'll Keep You Warm All December Long, From Easy Breakfasts To Holiday Cocktails (2025)

Who says you can't have cake for breakfast? Not only are these pancakes gluten- and dairy-free, but 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

It might seem a little labor intensive to make your own dough, but these can easily be rolled out and put in the fridge overnight to rise, giving you an effortless breakfast in the morning.

Recipe:Chocolate Orange Morning Rolls

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

Consider this your one-and-done appetizer for the holidays. Make your own piecrust or even use store-bought puff pastry to keep this one as easy as possible.

Recipe:Savory Pear Galette With Goat Cheese and Walnuts

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

Gone are the days of bland cauliflower. This one gets boiled with spices and roasted to help it get golden and crispy.

Recipe:Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Lemony Whipped Feta

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.

Recipe:Caramelized Leek Pizza With Spicy Honey

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.

Recipe:Roasted Butternut Squash With Feta and Spinach

Skip the tedious layering and stacking of traditional lasagna with this skillet version that simply combines everything together in one pan.

Recipe:Spicy Sausage and Kale Skillet Lasagna

Canned pumpkin puree simplifies this comforting vegan dish, but if you've reached your pumpkin limit for this year, try roasting and blending your favorite winter squash instead.

Recipe:Pumpkin Polenta With Balsamic Roasted Beets

This creamy, Thai-spiced soup will be your go-to for treating that inevitable nasty winter cold we all get this time of year.

Recipe:Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup

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.

Recipe:Creamy Balsamic Chicken and Mushrooms

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 bread crumbs convince you.

Recipe:Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

This fresh twist on a traditional meatball with have you going in for seconds. Serve over a bed of crisp winter veggies or with your favorite grain or pasta.

Recipe:Fennel Orange Pork Meatballs With Sweet Chili Glaze

This creamy pasta helps you reduce food waste by utilizing the tops of your carrots to make an herby gremolata topping.

Recipe:Orecchiette With Creamy Carrot Miso Sauce

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

These holiday showstoppers give you all the warm flavors of gingerbread without the effort of rolling and breaking out the cookie cutter.

Recipe:Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

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.

Recipe:Cranberry, Clementine, and Rosemary Cocktail

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