The winter months are often associated with the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations and festivities. For many, the holiday season is full of warm memories and sweet treats. Many of those memories are born in the family kitchen, where cultural and seasonal traditions are passed down from generation to generation. Here are a few sweet recipes to try this year and perhaps introduce it to your family traditions.
Fruitcake
Love it or hate it, fruitcake is a traditional baked good often found at Christmas dinners or as gifts. Many joke about fruitcake and many turn their noses up, but there is a good reason why fruitcake is found on dinner tables every year. Fruitcake is a dense cake full of fruits and nuts which have either been dried or soaked in sugar. Many recipes include an optional ingredient of alcohol and call for the cake to be stored with a cloth cover. Due to the alcohol and sugar content, fruitcake is notorious for lasting a long time without going bad.
Cranberry Raisin Apple Crisp
Nothing welcomes you into the winter more than the warm comfort food of a nice apple crisp. There are plenty of ways to spice up the classic dish. Cranberries are a classic addition that will make your dish perfect for any holiday gathering. Serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, and you’ll be sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Check out the recipe here.
Bread Pudding
Quick, convenient, and comforting are three words that describe bread pudding. Many serve it for a sweet breakfast, and for others, it is a traditional dessert. Whenever and however you choose to eat it, it’s clear the mouthwatering flavors of cinnamon and vanilla enwrap this classic southern dish in just the right ways to make it a favorite among families. Serve with bourbon sauce to really wow your guests!
Gingerbread
Sweet and spicy, gingerbread is synonymous with the holidays. It has been reshaped over the years, dating as far back to medieval England when gingerbread referred to anything in preserved ginger. Sometime in the 15th century, ginger-flavored cakes became associated with the term. Germany is known to have invented gingerbread cookies and houses, which became popular at street festivals around the country. Today, you can find almost anything gingerbread flavored, coffees, teas, candies and more. You can’t go wrong with a gingerbread dessert around the holidays, whether you opt to make a traditional gingerbread cookie or house or choose to make a gingerbread cake.