Delicious Winter Sweets and Desserts to Try

Winter is the season for sharing. It’s the time of year when you have the whole family round and you’re raiding the cupboard for snacks.

But now it’s time to break out of the mould and try something new this winter.

No more digging around the old biscuit tin or dashing to the shops at the last minute for something to serve up for dessert. It’s time to put a twist on winter sweets.

DESIblitz has compiled the best classics and out-there winter sweets and desserts from around the world.

All of these little delights are delicious and rich so there’s plenty to choose from.

Jalebi

When you’re looking for a desi classic to snack on, jalebi is the treat you reach for. Believed to have originated in 15th century India, this sweet is made by deep frying batter and then coating in flavoured syrup.

Jalebi might not seem like the usual choice for winter but if you’re looking to try something new then this is the one to go for.

Jalebi is so moreish simply because it’s the perfect sweet: sugary, chewy and flavoursome. It’s a great little snack to choose when you’re curled up in front of a good movie and looking for nibbles.

Stollen

Stollen is a sweet and cakelike bread stuffed with fruits and can often be found made with fragrant spices like cinnamon and cardamom as well, so if you’re looking to make your own, you can customise it with your favourite flavours.

While originally of German origins, this hearty winter snack has made its way around the world in recent times.

Stollen is traditionally baked in the form of a loaf, but it can even be bought in bite-size pieces dusted with sugar and made with marzipan for something even sweeter. Either way, it’s nutritious and filling and a great addition to your collection of winter treats.

Gulab Jamun

A bit of a mouthful in every way, gulab jamun is a criminally sweet dessert made from milk and caramelised sugar, soaked in syrup.

Another one of Indian origin, gulab jamun can be purchased commercially in many South Asian establishments, if you’re looking for a sweet treat that you don’t have to make at home.

Because it’s soaked in sticky syrup, gulab jamun is easy to cover with your favourite toppings like pistachio or coconut.

Gulab jamun is made from milk solids formed into a dough and deep fried before being soaked through in syrup; sugary and fatty and full of flavour.

It’s commonly made with fragrant rosewater, making this dessert a truly decadent winter treat.

Mince Pies

Mince pies are probably one of the most typical winter sweets you can think of. A flaky pastry encasing a mixture of spiced fruits, they’re a truly classic festive snack.

While mince pies originated in 13th century England, their filling can actually be traced to British exploration in the east as they’re packed with spices like cloves and cinnamon

Mince pies are a great choice for a winter sweet because of how convenient they are. The bite-size pastries mean little mess and maximum flavour. You can buy them almost anywhere and they’re just as easy to make at home.

Kheer

You might recognise this tasty winter warmer from our list of rice recipes.

Kheer is a traditional Desi rice pudding, made simply and flavoured with cardamom, nuts and fruits. It varies from place to place and is extremely customisable so you can easily spice it up with your favourite flavours.

Kheer is the perfect dessert in winter because it can warm you up right to your bones. It’s thick and hot, ideal for keeping you full as well as giving you flavour.

It’s so simple to make with rice and milk so if you’re looking for a no-fuss dessert that’s as simple as it is tasty, then this is the one to go for.

Brandy Snaps

Brandy snaps are hardened syrup and sugar rolled into a sweet little tube. They are often stuffed with thick cream or ice cream. Another traditional winter sweet, they can be traced back as early as 1802.

Brandy snaps are the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy. Best served with that creamy centre to balance out the sugar.

Their syrupy flavour is deliciously moreish, and while they’re easy enough to make yourself you can now buy them by the box.

Marzipan

Marzipan is a sugary sweet made primarily with almonds. It’s mainly used for decoration on cakes such as Christmas cakes but can also be used to make delicate and detailed little sweets as well.

While marzipan is most commonly associated with Christmas and Easter in western countries, there is actually a Goan variant of the dish. Sometimes known as mazpon, made with cashews as opposed to almonds. It is often used to make Christmas sweets.

Try your hand at classic vanilla marzipan here, or give the Goan mazpon a go here.

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is such a long loved classic that it can trace its origins all the way back to the 9th century. It’s the perfect winter biscuit, warmed with the spice of ginger as well as often containing cloves and nutmeg.

Gingerbread biscuits are also ideal for the festive season because of their sturdiness; they’re a solid biscuit which makes them very easy to decorate.

Get creative with your decorations with this flavoursome recipe.

So, whether you’re looking to remind yourself of old classics. Or if you are on the hunt for your next new venture to pick up at the shops, give one of these delightful desserts a try.

They’re all delicious and easy enough to make at home while also being commercially available.

Our whole list of winter desserts is perfect for sharing and ideal for nibbling on in front of the fire. So, give one of these sweet treats a go and experience something new.