The holiday season has rolled around, and the chilly weather motivates us to eat delicious sweets that comfort us and help us feel festive. There are many different desserts that are popular during this time of year.   

A very popular holiday dessert is a yule log, or what is called a bûche de Noël. This cake is often served during Christmas time and is a 3D log-shaped cake which is a chocolate sponge cake that is filled with a whipped cream filling. This dessert celebrates the end of winter and honors the Norse god Thor. 

Another popular dessert is gingerbread cookies. With gingerbread man and gingerbread houses, it is very often used to portray the Christmas spirit. Many people make gingerbread and enjoy building it with the people they care about. Gingerbread cookies are made with spices that give them the key flavor. They are made with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. 

Sophomore Megan Wu shared her feelings about gingerbread cookies. She explains how, “[She] really likes gingerbread cookies, it feels very warm. They are kind of spicy but sweet at the same time.” She is also specific about her gingerbread, as she prefers gingerbread man cookies over a gingerbread house 

Gingersnaps are also delicious cookies that are Swedish and have a delicious flavor. They are thin, light, airy, and sweet and are the perfect holiday cookies to help cheer you up and bring the spirit. 

Christmas pudding is popular during the holidays as well. There are many different variations of pudding that we enjoy year-round. It is served as a part of Christmas, specifically in Britain. It is a delicious mix of fruits and other flavors. It is rich and similar to a fruit cake with extra add-ins of dried fruit. 

Pies are especially popular during this season. There are many different pies to choose from and enjoy. A popular Christmas pie is a pecan pie that’s topped with caramel. The process of making the pies, and enjoying them with yourself, family, and friends is the best experience. It is made with a pie crust, and various different fillings with fruits, nuts, and custards, which are cooked and stuffed into the pie.

Snickerdoodles are also a famous holiday comfort food to make, which are easy, and taste really good. They have a blend of flavors with vanilla and cinnamon. They are a part of the tradition to put out cookies for Santa. Snickerdoodles can also be paired with sugar cookies which are frosted with different holiday characters. Baking these holiday desserts can be extremely pleasurable when made during Winter Break, when you have time to yourself. It also brings you closer to others and can be very enjoyable. Getting to eat these treats is very soothing and comforting. It brings the true essence of the holidays to you, where you can enjoy them in the cool weather. 

Photo by Ksenia Yakovleva