I am not exactly winter’s biggest fan. I don’t love frosty mornings or cold toes and I feel like my entire personality disappears when the sun goes into hiding. Sure, my birthday month falls in winter, but I’d honestly rather be sipping margaritas in a sundress. Who else feels betrayed by the sun setting before 5pm?!

But even I have to admit, there are a few redeeming features. The cats are snugglier, the slow cooker gets a workout, and most importantly, it’s the perfect time to bake something warm, cozy, and comforting. Another thing to (maybe) love about winter? The beautiful seasonal produce. Crisp apples, juicy pears, and zesty citrus like lemon and calamansi. There is so much inspiration to be found!

So I’ve pulled together some of my absolute favourite winter desserts to celebrate the chilly season. From nostalgic classics like self-saucing pudding and apple crumble to a slightly fancier, dinner party worthy Chocolate and Pear Tart. I hope you find something here to warm up your kitchen, your belly… and your soul.

Mini Chai Poached Pear Cakes with Chai Creme Anglaise

These little cakes are as beautiful as they are delicious! I love using tea in desserts, and the spices in chai are a perfect match for cool days. I used chai in every element of this one, from the poached pears to the mini cakes and also infused into the creme anglaise. They would be perfect for a winter dinner party!

Apple Miso Crumble with Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Hi, my name is Lisa and I’m obsessed with crumble. Can you tell? Winter nights are just screaming out for a fruit crumble, and this one with apple and miso is the perfect comfort food. The flavour of white miso works wonderfully with apples and caramel. This dessert just hits different and will satisfy your salty/sweet craving.

Sticky Date Bourbon and Cola Pudding

Sticky Date Pudding might just be one of my all-time favourite winter desserts, made even more irresistible with bourbon and cola. It’s baked until golden and served with a milk chocolate bourbon caramel sauce. Seriously so delish! It’s the kind of dessert that makes winter almost worth it.

Double Chocolate Brownie Skillet with Hot Fudge Sauce

Rich, gooey and loaded with chocolate! This mini double chocolate brownie skillet is served warm with ice cream and a drizzle of luscious homemade hot fudge sauce. Dig straight in with a spoon! It’s the ultimate winter dessert.

Creamy Calamansi Bars

My calamansi tree is absolutely going off right now and I can’t keep up with all the ripe fruit! It’s my favourite fruit tree (don’t tell the lemon) because it’s low maintenance and produces dozens of tiny, flavourful citrus fruits every winter. This is one of my favourite things to make with them! Buttery shortbread base and a sweet filling that is so full of unique calamansi flavour. Just the thing to brighten up a winter day with a glimpse of citrus sunshine.

Banana Self Saucing Pudding with Miso Caramel

This twist on a classic pudding has a secret ingredient… white miso! It adds a complex, savoury flavour that works so well with banana. Self saucing puddings are the ultimate winter dessert, which magically create a pool of sauce underneath a fluffy layer of pudding. Sweet, salty, saucy and sure to warm you up!

Pear and Pistachio Crumble with White Chocolate

This delicious crumble uses in-season pears with a hint of rosewater and cardamom. It’s topped with a crunchy pistachio crumble and melty pools of white chocolate. It’s seriously magical and on my list to make again this winter!

French Earl Grey Lemon Delicious Pudding

Lemon Delicious and self-saucing puddings always remind me of my Nan, so winter desserts like these is are super nostalgic for me. I added some French Earl Grey tea as a twist. It’s one of my favourites for both drinking and baking. What you get is a lovely light pudding with a beautiful floral-citrus flavour and a lemon curd-like sauce underneath. So turn the oven on, make a cup of tea and enjoy!

Chocolate and Pear Tart with Cardamom Creme Anglaise

I was a little sceptical about the combination of pears and chocolate until I made this gorgeous tart! They actually go beautifully together, especially with a cardamon-infused creme anglaise to give contrast to the rich chocolate. I love a dessert that’s easy but looks fancy! It can also be made ahead of time, which is perfect for dinner parties.

Chocolate Whisky Pudding with Passionfruit Ice Cream

Chocolate and passionfruit may seem like an unexpected pairing but they are so beautiful together, especially with a little splash of whisky. This self-saucing chocolate pudding is one of the more decadent winter desserts, but the bright passionfruit ice cream brings tang and sweetness that offsets the richness perfectly. If you’ve never tried these flavours together, I hope you’ll give this one a try!

So whether you’re baking to warm up the house or just need a sweet little treat on a grey day, I hope all of these winter desserts bring comfort and nostalgia… and maaaaybe even a new appreciation for winter. I love coming back to these recipes ever year and adding new favourites to the rotation too.

Leave me a comment below or tag me on Instagram if you try any of them!