8 Ways to Embrace Hygge This Winter Season

BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

Jackfruit is that magical produce that seems to perfectly replicate meat in almost any dish. Thanks to its growing popularity, it's become relatively easy to find in grocery stores. Just make sure you buy a young green jackfruit in water, not brine or syrup. This is the key to achieving proper flavor and texture. Then all you need to do is sauté and add A LOT of barbecue sauce. (via Minimalist Baker)

Mushroom Stroganoff

Balance cozy carbs with nourishing vegetables in this mushroom stroganoff and you get the best of both worlds.

Vegan Chickpea Curry

When you mix chickpeas with eggplant, coconut milk, Indian spices, and rice you'll end up with the most satisfying vegan curry. When spicing your curry, be sure to select a blend that incorporates fresh spices to give you the maximum amount of health benefits and flavor.

Vegan Sweet Potato Nachos

It can be difficult to cut back on carbs when you’re vegan (or for anybody, really). Thankfully, sweet potato tortilla chips are here to solve that problem. Things get serious when you coat them in vegan cheese sauce and then pile them high with your favorite nacho toppings.

Roasted Corn Chowder

Calling all ambitious chefs with leftover corn on the cob: This corn chowder is a bit involved to make but the results are 100 percent worth it. Corn kernels thicken the chowder that's scented with smoked paprika and thyme for a soothing bite with every spoonful.

Dairy-Free Herbed Scalloped Potatoes

Potatoes baked into a casserole that's covered in a creamy white sauce is comfort food at its best. All you need to do is sprinkle a few herbs on top for a little somethin' extra.

Moroccan-Spiced Chickpea Glow Bowl

This spiced bowl will soon be your new go-to for an ultra comforting, super nutritious, plant-based meal. There's so much deliciousness packed into this recipe that it'll be hard to pick your favorite part. Moroccan-spiced chickpeas are simmered in a sauce of fire-roasted tomatoes and then spooned atop couscous that's cooked and fluffed to perfection. Oh yeah, and there’s cucumber salad, some lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs to the max.

Creamy Vegetarian White Chili

By this point in winter you probably want soup for every meal, and that's where this white chili comes in. It’s warm, filling, tasty, and not average in any way. Pro tip: Add lots of toppings for a wide variety of texture in your bowl.

Vegan White Mac and Cheese

If you dream about a mac and cheese without the taste of nutritional yeast, this recipe will make your dreams come true. It turns out that the answer is vegan cream cheese and a dash of hot sauce. Who knew?! Now that the secret is out, feel free to share — and don’t forget to make seconds!

Buffalo Chickpea Pizza

Buffalo sauce and chicken is a match made in heaven. Buffalo sauce with roasted chickpeas is pretty darn good too. With a buffalo hummus base that incorporates just the right amount of spice, and a crispy cheesy topping, this recipe is about to be your new obsession.

Vegan Pad Thai

Pad Thai is one of the easiest dishes to veganize because it already comes layered with an array of crunchy vegetables and cubes of tofu. The tricky part is substituting the fish sauce, but this is actually easier than it seems. You can either buy a non-fish-based fish sauce, or simply prepare your own by infusing soy sauce (or tamari) with a bit of seaweed and dried mushrooms.

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recreate a comforting, nostalgic childhood favorite with these gluten-free, vegan treats. You may even find you like them better than the original.

Vegan Pizza Burrito

You’ll thank us later when you realize that this vegan pizza burrito is pretty much heaven wrapped in a burrito and placed on a plate. It’s also handy to grab when you have to eat on the run.

Baked Aloo Samosas

Indian food is great because so much of it is already vegan. And samosas might be the ultimate choice because they can be an appetizer, a finger food, or a meal. Plus, they're concocted with a host of spices and dipping sauces that will keep your taste buds intrigued and wanting more.

Vegan Sloppy Joes

If you never had sloppy joes growing up, there's no time like the present to give them a try. This warm sandwich is sweet, smokey, and savory all at once, and it can be made with everyday pantry items. This vegan version uses lentils instead of beef and is no less satisfying for it.

Vegan Pot Pies With Cornbread Crust

Creamy veggies hide beneath a crispy cornbread crust in this quintessential comfort food dish. There will be nothing more satisfying than breaking through the cornbread with a spoon to enjoy that perfect filling-to-crust ratio.

General Tso’s Cauliflower

Just when you think that everyone and their mother is tired of cauliflower recipes, General Tso’s cauliflower is here to revive the obsession. The cauliflower is marinated and then dusted in cornstarch and sesame seeds to form that crispy crust we all love. Now vegans and carnivores alike can get in on some of that General Tso’s action.

Vegan Spinach Dip

A blend of soft tofu with raw cashew nuts creates a satiny texture that's complemented by the spinach for an appetizer that tastes indulgent but won't have you regretting your snack choices.

Vegan Grilled Cheese

Something about that ooey-gooey yumminess of grilled cheese is simply unbeatable. But the best part of this sandwich isn't even the cheese; it's the ability to be a blank canvas onto which you can add an array of herbs, spices, chutneys, pickles, and jellies. The world is your oyster here — go wild!

Vegan Meatball Subs

When you wrap chickpea meatballs in carbs, smother them with marinara sauce, and top with a sprinkle of vegan Parm, the result is irresistible. If you make a huge batch of meatballs and then freeze them, this recipe becomes so simple that there's a high probability it will become your fave Friday night staple.

Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese

There's almost nothing better than veganized mac and cheese. This cheesy delight is a hug in a bowl and the exact thing you require on those days when you’re in need of a pick-me-up.

One-Hour Vegan Pot Pies

This blogger says it all: “Delicious, flaky, veggie-packed vegan pot pies in less than one hour. That’s all you need to know."

Lemon Blueberry Pistachio Cupcakes

Comfort food includes cupcakes. Opt for a magical combination like lemon, blueberry, and pistachio and watch the sparks fly.

5-Ingredient Mulled Wine

This warm winter cocktail only uses five ingredients and is the ideal beverage for parties, winter weddings, or just for a cozy night in. (via Brit + Co)

Spiked Lattes

While we don’t suggest spiking your morningcoffee on the way to work, this warm cocktail just might rid you of your hangover on a lazy Sunday. (via Brit + Co)

Mulled Cider with Cloved Oranges

Though this cold weather drink isn’t normally spiked, a nice splash of bourbon, rum, or brandy in this cider will do the trick. (via Brit + Co)

Hot Buttered Rum

If you’ve ever wondered what the Harry Potter butterbeer tastes like, we imagine it’s something like this. You don’t have to be a wizard to make this hot alcoholic beverage, though. Just remember to keep it hot in a Crock-Pot for your guests. (via Brit + Co)

Chai Hot Toddy

Hot chocolate and traditional toddies get a lot of play during the holidays, but don’t sleep on chai. It’s spicy, sweet, and can really liven up a party. This is a great warm cocktail for fall and winter alike. (via Brit + Co)

Easy Irish Coffee

Only 4 ingredients are required to craft this warming coffee cocktail. Just prep your favorite brew, throw some Irish whiskey and brown sugar in the mix, then top it all off with some whipped cream for added delight! (via Brit + Co)

Easy Hot Toddy

This light and bright warm beverage is just the right thing to fix you up if you’re feeling sniffly. (via Brit + Co)

Slow-Cooker Mulled Reisling

A pot of mulled wine in the slow cooker will make your house smell like a dreamy cinnamon-orange candle. Plus, this hot cocktail recipe just tastes uh-maze-ing. (via Brit + Co)

Coffee Stout

Beer and coffee are pretty much our two favorite things, and they join forces in this warm cocktail to create something totally sippable. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa

Goodness gracious! The gold touch on the rim and the coconut cream mound on top make this the perfect hot drink to sip on this season. Throw your favorite liqueur into this hot chocolate, and you’ll be hooked. (via Brit + Co)

Mulled Wine Hot Chocolate

Chocolate and wine? Our two favorite things put together into one big hot winter cocktail – what could be better? (via Brit + Co)

Warm Mulled Wine

This cinnamon-y hot drink with alcohol comes together in your slow cooker and can easily be served out of the same vessel, too. (via Saveur)

Apple Pie Moonshine Hot Toddy

This honey- and lemon-infused cocktail is the perfect solution to warm up a very cold evening. (via Barley & Sage)

Irish Coffee with Cocoa Whipped Cream

This super sweet Irish coffee recipe is also dairy-free, for all to enjoy! (via Chef Bai)

Hot Apple Cider Wassail

The robust, sweet flavors of this hot apple cider simmer together perfectly in a slow cooker. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Naughty and Nice Cinnamon Toddy

Bourbon pairs nicely with cinnamon and honey to create a hot drink that lives up to its name! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Ingredients For Easy Pecan Pie Bars

For the shortbread crust:

• ½ cup butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoon cornstarch

For the pecan pie filling:

• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 & ½ cup pecans chopped

How To Make Easy Pecan Pie Bars

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F, then line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add in the flour, salt, cornstarch, and mix. Add in the cold butter and work it into the dough with your hand or a pastry cutter until cookie dough forms. Press it onto the prepared baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.
3. In a separate large bowl, mix the eggs, brown sugar, light corn syrup, heavy cream, salt, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until combined. Stir in the pecan pieces.
4. Once the crust is done baking, pour the pecan pie filling on top of the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges will brown a little, and the center will be barely jiggly.
5. Remove from the oven, and let cool completely before transferring to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Slice the bars and serve.