Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, it is the time for home.’ , Edith Sitwell.
When the shorter days of winter roll in and it feels like Mother Nature forgot to close the freezer, there’s simply nothing like something hot and sweet to bring solace to the soul.
In a practice repeated around the globe, home cooks turn to the warm and familiar to cope with the cold and stormy. Many countries in the Northern Hemisphere have delicious traditional dishes that help keep the hibernal blues at bay. Germans, for example, may or may not rely solely on their favourite apple cake to fend off the freezing winters. Further north in Scandinavia, all winter desserts must strictly adhere to their tradition of ‘hygge’ – the quality of cosiness that generates a feeling of serenity and contentment. This sensation of well-being is only enhanced when a plate of stroopwafels is shared along with steaming mugs of cocoa. And who wouldn’t volunteer to stay indoors to enjoy a sampling of madeleines or apple pie, fresh-from-the-oven?
While the coldest season of the year may be less severe in the southern parts of the globe, there is nonetheless a need for those satisfying temptations during the cooler months. Adding a splash of bourbon to a pecan pie will keep you toasty from the inside out, or a classic crème brûlée is the perfect treat on a frosty day – a crackly sugar topping wins hands down against crackly frost underfoot! If the chilly weather makes you less adventurous and disinclined to try new recipes, just serve your fall-back favourites heated or with a warm sauce. It’s hard to say no to a scoop of ice cream melting into a fudgy brownie, or the ever-popular sticky date cake with hot caramel sauce.
Wherever you may find yourself when Jack Frost comes to visit, there is always a welcoming hearth, a mug of something piping hot and a warming dessert that will take the edge off the cold.
Recipe Inspirations
Upside Down Pear & Chocolate Dessert
