Sinfully indulgent desserts to satisfy your sweet cravings on chilly days

When the weather turns chilly, nothing beats the warmth and comfort of a freshly baked treat straight from the oven. Whether it’s the decadence of a skillet brownie or the nostalgic delight of chocolate-covered cherry cookies, these recipes are here to make your cold days a little sweeter. Perfect for lazy afternoons, family gatherings, or simply treating yourself, these bakes turn any cold day into an occasion. So, grab your apron, preheat the oven, and let the magic of baking warm your heart and home.

Skillet brownie

Ingredients

6 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Method

Preheat the oven to 176°C and grease a 6.5-inch skillet or baking dish. Mix the melted butter and brown sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, and salt, then mix into the wet ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips, spread the batter evenly in the skillet, and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Serve warm and gooey.

Peanut butter bundt cake

Ingredients

For the cake

1 cup butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
5 large eggs
3 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup milk

For the frosting

1/4 cup butter
2 tbsp peanut butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1–3 tbsp milk

Method

Preheat the oven to 162°C. Grease and flour a bundt pan. Cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars, then add the eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, then pour the batter into the pan. Bake for 65–75 minutes, cool briefly, and turn out onto a rack. For the frosting, beat the butter, peanut butter, and icing sugar, adding milk until smooth. Spread over the cooled cake and serve.

Chocolate-covered cherry cookies

Ingredients

For the cookies

1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
48 maraschino cherries (blotted dry)

For the frosting

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1–3 tsp maraschino cherry juice

Method

Preheat the oven to 176°C. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients, then gradually add them to the wet ingredients to form a firm dough. Shape into 1-inch balls and place them on ungreased baking sheets, pressing a cherry halfway into each ball. 

For the frosting, melt the chocolate chips and condensed milk in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth. Add cherry juice for flavour. Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, then spoon 1 teaspoon of frosting over each cherry while the cookies are still warm. Cool on wire racks and enjoy!

Lead image credit: Pexels

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