31 Cozy December Recipes To Make On Repeat (Because 'Tis The Season For Comfort Food)

    It's the final month of the year, so make it a delicious one.

    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Can you believe it's officially December? While it's easy to look ahead to the new year, let's all take advantage of all the delicious things to cook before we turn the calendar to 2023. Here are 31 comforting, seasonal, and, most of all, delectable things to cook this month.

    A list of produce in season in December.
    BuzzFeed

    1. Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal Baked Pears

    Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal Baked Pears
    Recipe Runner / Via reciperunner.com

    This recipe calls for pears, but you could follow the same steps and try it with apples or even persimmons while they're in season.

    Recipe: Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal Baked Pears

    2. Crustless Broccoli Cheddar Quiche

    Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com

    Whether you're meal-prepping for the week or serving Sunday brunch to a crowd, this veggie quiche is always a good idea.

    Recipe: Crustless Broccoli Cheddar Quiche

    3. Twice Baked Breakfast Potatoes

    Baked potatoes topped with fried egg and bacon
    Spoon Fork Bacon / Via spoonforkbacon.com

    Make it a bacon, egg, and cheese, but lose the roll and bake everything in a fully loaded potato.

    Recipe: Twice Baked Breakfast Potatoes

    4. Chai Banana Pancakes

    A stack of banana pancakes
    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    The best part of this recipe is that no mixing bowls are required. All your pancake ingredients can go right into the blender. Just whip up the batter and pour it into a non-stick skillet.

    Recipe: Chai Banana Pancakes

    5. Ginger Persimmon Scone Muffins

    Persimmon muffins
    Love and Olive Oil / Via loveandoliveoil.com

    This breakfast recipe features the very best part of scones and muffins in one: a firm, buttery bottom layer and a moist, flaky top. 

    Recipe: Ginger Persimmon Scone Muffins

    6. Pear Pomegranate Salad

    Pear and pomegranate salad with walnuts and cheese
    Chelsea's Messy Apron / Via chelseasmessyapron.com

    Even if you don't normally get excited about salads, you've got to admit that this one is basically a work of art. And it tastes just as good as it looks.

    Recipe: Pear Pomegranate Salad

    7. Smashed and Crispy Buffalo Potatoes

    Recipe: Smashed And Crispy Buffalo Potatoes
    Platings and Pairings / Via platingsandpairings.com

    Somewhere between nachos and loaded potatoes, these smashed buffalo taters can (and should) be topped with your favorite garnishes, from scallions and avocado to jalapeño and blue cheese.

    Recipe: Smashed and Crispy Buffalo Potatoes

    8. Garlic Mushroom Pasta

    Garlic Mushroom Pasta
    Salt and Lavender / Via saltandlavender.com

    You don't need many ingredients to whip up this supremely savory pasta, but there's something about the garlic butter sauce and cremini mushrooms that make it taste fancy.

    Recipe: Garlic Mushroom Pasta

    9. One-Skillet Cabbage Potatoes and Sausage Dinner

    One-Skillet Cabbage Potatoes and Sausage Dinner
    Chelsea's Messy Apron / Via chelseasmessyapron.com

    It's hearty, it's cozy, and, best of all, it's wildly easy and comes together in a single skillet.

    Recipe: One-Skillet Cabbage Potatoes and Sausage Dinner

    10. Baked Cauliflower Parmesan

    Baked Cauliflower Parmesan
    Eat Well 101 / Via eatwell101.com

    This vegetarian-friendly main is guaranteed to please whoever is at your dinner table. If you want to take things to the next level, bread the cauliflower steaks in some panko and get it nice and brown before adding the mozzarella and tomato sauce.

    Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Parmesan

    11. Prosciutto-Wrapped Baked Chicken

    A baking dish of Prosciutto-Wrapped Baked Chicken
    Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com

    Prosciutto makes everything better, and this dish is no exception. It takes baked chicken from an average Tuesday night meal to something that feels worthy of a special occasion.

    Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Baked Chicken

    12. Miso-Sesame Glazed Brussels Sprouts

    Miso-Sesame Glazed Brussels Sprouts
    Dishing Out Health / Via dishingouthealth.com

    Take notes: You're going to want to put this miso glaze on everything. And luckily, it's so easy to make. Toss miso paste, Dijon mustard, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and chile flakes into a blender and pulse until smooth.

    Recipe: Miso-Sesame Glazed Brussels Sprouts

    13. Creamy White Lasagna Soup

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    Soup season is upon us, so take full advantage. This creamy lasagna soup is the definition of heartwarming.

    Recipe: Creamy White Lasagna Soup

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    Baking fish in parchment paper is the easiest way to ensure a mess-free, perfectly cooked dish every single time.

    Recipe: Baked Lemon Salmon and Potatoes with Dill Yogurt

    15. Honey Balsamic Pan-Seared Cabbage Steaks

    Roasted cabbage steaks with balsamic drizzle
    Eat Well 101 / Via eatwell101.com

    Seared until caramelized and crispy, these cauliflower steaks are a little sweet and a little tangy.

    Recipe: Honey Balsamic Pan-Seared Cabbage Steaks

    16. Thai Chicken Tacos

    Carlsbad Cravings / Via carlsbadcravings.com

    Some of the best flavors come from blending together different cuisines, and these Thai-inspired chicken tacos are no exception. Top them with mango slaw to really bring all the flavors together.

    Recipe: Thai Chicken Tacos

    17. Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

    Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
    The Almond Eater / Via thealmondeater.com

    It's not mac 'n' cheese, but this baked cauliflower casserole is just as comforting.

    Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

    18. French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com

    Winter is all about comfort foods, so why not blend together two of the very best? Here, French onion soup and grilled cheese become the ultimate mash-up meal.

    Recipe: French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    19. Cranberry Rosemary One Pan Chicken

    Cranberry Rosemary One Pan Chicken
    40 Aprons / Via 40aprons.com

    Easy enough for a weeknight meal but sophisticated enough for a place on your holiday table, these cranberry chicken thighs are a definite crowd-pleaser.

    Recipe: Cranberry Rosemary One Pan Chicken

    20. Date Night Rigatoni with Sausage and Kale

    Bowls of Rigatoni with Sausage and Kale
    Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com

    Fact: You can never have too many pasta recipes in your arsenal. This one calls for sausage and kale tossed in a homemade creamy tomato sauce.

    Recipe: Date Night Rigatoni with Sausage and Kale

    From a Chef's Kitchen / Via fromachefskitchen.com

    Whether or not you celebrate Hanukkah, we can all appreciate the delicacy that is fried potato pancakes. This version, made with sweet potatoes, gets a little kick from spicy gochujang-infused mayo.

    Recipe: Sweet Potato Latkes with Gochujang Mayonnaise

    22. Chocolate Pistachio Cream Thumbprints

    Love and Olive Oil / Via loveandoliveoil.com

    Take dessert to the next level with these adorable cookies made of chocolate shortbread and rich creamy pistachio filling.

    Recipe: Chocolate Pistachio Cream Thumbprints

    23. Cranberry and White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

    Mini cranberry white chocolate cheesecakes
    The Endless Meal / Via theendlessmeal.com

    Baked in mini canning jars and perfect for holiday entertaining, these individual desserts feature a cookie crumb crust, a layer of cranberry jam, and decadent white chocolate cheesecake filling.

    Recipe: Cranberry and White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

    24. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

    Apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies with icing
    Sally's Baking Addiction / Via sallysbakingaddiction.com

    These oat and apple cookies drizzled with maple frosting are a festive and easy dessert. Or, if you'd prefer, call it baked oatmeal and eat it for breakfast.

    Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

    25. Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

    Cookies and graham crackers with pumpkin cheesecake dip
    Yellow Bliss Road / Via yellowblissroad.com

    Serve this sweet dessert dip with Nilla wafers, Graham crackers, apple or pear wedges, or, if you like mixing sweet and savory, pretzel sticks. 

    Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

    26. Gingerbread Loaf

    A gingerbread loaf with icing
    Le Creme de la Crumb / Via lecremedelacrumb.com

    This spiced gingerbread cake is topped with none other than cream cheese frosting. 

    Recipe: Gingerbread Loaf

    27. Cream Cheese Lemon Bars

    Cream Cheese Lemon Bars
    Le Creme de la Crumb / Via lecremedelacrumb.com

    These dessert bars are so simple that chances are you already have most of the ingredients sitting in your fridge and pantry.

    Recipe: Cream Cheese Lemon Bars

    28. Blood Orange and Pomegranate Sparkling Sangria

    Glasses of sparkling pomegranate sangria
    Cookie and Kate / Via cookieandkate.com

    Here's proof that sangria season knows no bounds. Give this crowd-favorite drink a seasonal twist with blood orange juice, pomegranate seeds, and sparkling rosé. 

    Recipe: Blood Orange and Pomegranate Sparkling Sangria

    29. Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

    A cranberry Bourbon cocktail
    A Couple Cooks / Via acouplecooks.com

    You only need five ingredients to whip up this simple cocktail: Bourbon, sweet vermouth, orange juice, unsweetened cranberry juice, and simple syrup or agave.

    Recipe: Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

    30. St. Germain Cocktail

    St Germain cocktail
    Well Plated / Via wellplated.com

    Whether you're toasting around the holiday table or watching the ball drop, you can always use a Champagne cocktail. This refreshing beverage is made with gin, St. Germain, lemon juice, and sparkling wine.

    Recipe: St. Germain Cocktail

    31. Easy Spiked Hot Chocolate

    Fit Foodie Finds / Via fitfoodiefinds.com

    Move over hot cocoa mix. This homemade winter treat is best served boozy.

    Recipe: Easy Spiked Hot Chocolate