17 Sweet Winter Dessert Recipes to End the Meal Right

When the temperatures drop and the nights stretch long, there’s nothing quite like finishing a hearty winter meal with something sweet, warm, and comforting. From spiced cakes and molten chocolate treats to fruity crumbles and cozy puddings, winter desserts are made to satisfy the soul.

These desserts pair beautifully with a cup of tea, coffee, or even a spiced liqueur, making them perfect for family dinners, festive gatherings, or quiet evenings by the fire.

Whether you’re craving something rich and decadent or a lighter fruit-based indulgence, these 17 winter dessert recipes will bring warmth and sweetness to your table all season long.

1. Warm Apple Crumble with Cinnamon Oats

A classic winter favorite, this apple crumble combines tender baked apples, brown sugar, and a crisp cinnamon oat topping. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and tart, especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cream. Comfort food at its best.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 320
2. Protein: 3g
3. Carbohydrates: 55g
4. Fat: 10g
5. Fiber: 5g

Get the Warm Apple Crumble with Cinnamon Oats recipe.

2. Chocolate Lava Cake

Indulgent and irresistible, chocolate lava cake is a restaurant-style dessert that’s easy to make at home. With a soft, cake-like exterior and a gooey molten chocolate center, it’s best served warm and dusted with powdered sugar or paired with fresh berries.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 380
2. Protein: 6g
3. Carbohydrates: 45g
4. Fat: 20g
5. Fiber: 3g

Get the Chocolate Lava Cake recipe.

3. Spiced Pear and Ginger Bread Pudding

This cozy bread pudding infuses the comforting flavors of ripe pears, ginger, and cinnamon into a custard-soaked bread base. Baked until golden and topped with caramel sauce, it’s a wonderful way to use up day-old bread while creating a dessert that feels luxurious.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 340
2. Protein: 7g
3. Carbohydrates: 50g
4. Fat: 12g
5. Fiber: 4g

Get the Spiced Pear and GingerbreadPudding recipe.

4. Sticky Toffee Pudding

A timeless British dessert that fits winter like a glove. The soft, date-filled sponge cake is soaked in a rich toffee sauce, creating a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Serve it with custard or whipped cream for extra indulgence.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 410
2. Protein: 5g
3. Carbohydrates: 65g
4. Fat: 14g
5. Fiber: 3g

Get the sticky toffee pudding recipe.

5. Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars

Bright, tangy cranberries and zesty orange come together in these festive cheesecake bars. The creamy filling sits on a buttery graham cracker crust, offering a balance of sweet, tart, and citrusy flavors that make this dessert a winter standout.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 290
2. Protein: 6g
3. Carbohydrates: 30g
4. Fat: 16g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Cranberry Orange Cheesecake Bars recipe.

6. Hot Chocolate Mousse

This rich and airy mousse is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. Made with melted dark chocolate, cream, and a hint of espresso, it’s velvety smooth with a decadent flavor that feels luxurious yet comforting — a perfect end to any winter meal.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 310
2. Protein: 5g
3. Carbohydrates: 28g
4. Fat: 20g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Hot Chocolate Mousse recipe.

7. Caramelized Banana Bread

Take your classic banana bread up a notch by caramelizing the bananas before folding them into the batter. The result is a moist, flavorful loaf with a deeper, toffee-like sweetness — best served slightly warm with a pat of butter.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 280
2. Protein: 4g
3. Carbohydrates: 45g
4. Fat: 9g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Caramelized Banana Bread recipe.

8. Ginger Molasses Cookies

Soft, chewy, and packed with winter spice, these cookies combine molasses, brown sugar, and ground ginger for that nostalgic holiday flavor. Roll them in sugar before baking to get that signature crackly top.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 160
2. Protein: 2g
3. Carbohydrates: 25g
4. Fat: 6g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Ginger Molasses Cookies recipe.

9. Pecan Pie Bars

All the gooey, nutty goodness of pecan pie, but in an easy-to-serve bar form. The buttery shortbread crust perfectly complements the caramelized pecan topping — ideal for sharing at gatherings or gifting in festive tins.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 350
2. Protein: 4g
3. Carbohydrates: 38g
4. Fat: 20g
5. Fiber: 2g

10. Chai-Spiced Rice Pudding

Creamy and comforting, this rice pudding gets a warming twist with chai spices — cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. It’s lightly sweetened and perfectly spiced, making it a cozy treat that’s equally good hot or chilled.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 260
2. Protein: 6g
3. Carbohydrates: 40g
4. Fat: 8g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Brown Sugar Pecan Pie Bars recipe.

11. Maple Pecan Bread Pudding

This twist on traditional bread pudding features a maple syrup custard base with crunchy pecans scattered throughout. The maple flavor adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness that’s perfect for a wintry brunch or dessert.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 330
2. Protein: 7g
3. Carbohydrates: 45g
4. Fat: 14g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Maple Pecan Bread Pudding recipe.

12. Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Skip the deep fryer and bake your donuts instead! These cinnamon sugar donuts are soft, fluffy, and coated with a sweet spiced mixture that makes them irresistible. They’re easy to whip up for a quick winter treat.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 210
2. Protein: 3g
3. Carbohydrates: 28g
4. Fat: 9g
5. Fiber: 1g

13. Salted Caramel Bread Pudding

A decadent twist on the classic, this version features a rich salted caramel sauce that seeps into every bite of custard-soaked bread. The balance of sweet and salty makes it an instant winter hit — especially served with a dollop of whipped cream.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 370
2. Protein: 6g
3. Carbohydrates: 52g
4. Fat: 15g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts recipe.

14. Spiced Hot Chocolate Brownies

These fudgy brownies take things up a notch with a hint of cinnamon and cayenne for subtle warmth. The deep cocoa flavor paired with gentle spice makes them a winter favorite — rich, gooey, and utterly comforting.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 290
2. Protein: 4g
3. Carbohydrates: 38g
4. Fat: 14g
5. Fiber: 2g

Get the Spiced Hot Chocolate Brownies recipe.

15. Cranberry Apple Crisp

Sweet apples and tart cranberries come together under a crunchy oat and brown sugar topping. This rustic dessert bursts with seasonal flavor and pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of warm custard.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 310
2. Protein: 2g
3. Carbohydrates: 54g
4. Fat: 10g
5. Fiber: 4g

Get the Cranberry Apple Crisp recipe.

16. White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

A winter classic that’s as easy as it is festive. Layers of melted dark and white chocolate are sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy for a crisp, refreshing bite — perfect for gifting or enjoying with hot cocoa by the fire.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 220
2. Protein: 2g
3. Carbohydrates: 26g
4. Fat: 12g
5. Fiber: 1g

Get the White Chocolate Peppermint Bark recipe.

17. Mulled Wine Poached Pears

Elegant yet simple, these red wine–poached pears absorb the warm flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest. They’re tender, aromatic, and beautiful when served with a drizzle of reduced mulled wine syrup.

Nutrition per serving:

1. Calories: 240
2. Protein: 1g
3. Carbohydrates: 38g
4. Fat: 0.5g
5. Fiber: 4g

Get the Mulled Wine Poached Pears recipe.