As the evenings grow darker and the weather cools down, I always return to cosy homemade food. Warming soups, family dinners, freshly baked bread and something sweet with a cup of tea all feel especially welcome at this time of year.
These 24 cozy comfort food recipes include easy family meals, traditional bakes and homemade treats for cold evenings, relaxed weekends and Friday nights at home. Save the collection for the colder months and click any recipe for the complete ingredients and instructions.
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Cozy Soups and Family Dinners
1. Vegetable Soup
A bowl of homemade vegetable soup is one of the easiest ways to make a cold day feel better. This beginner-friendly recipe uses familiar vegetables and takes you through the process step by step. Serve it with bread for a simple lunch or light family dinner.
Click here for this gorgeous soup recipe
2. Cream of Vegetable Soup
Smooth, creamy vegetable soup is proper comfort food. It is an especially useful recipe when you have vegetables that need to be used, and it can be prepared ahead for easy lunches during a busy week.
Click here for this luxurious, cozy soup recipe
3. Carrot and Coriander Soup
Carrot and coriander soup is warm, smooth and full of flavour. The natural sweetness of the carrots works beautifully with the coriander. It is an easy homemade soup to serve for lunch or as a starter before dinner.
Go here for this delicious winter warmer
4. Easy Moussaka
Moussaka is a lovely family dinner for a cold evening. Layers of rich meat sauce, vegetables and creamy topping make this a filling meal that feels special enough to serve when people come over.
Go here to grab this hearty recipe
5. Chilli Con Carne
This big-batch chilli con carne makes eight generous portions. It is ideal for feeding a larger family, having visitors or putting a second dinner into the freezer. Serve it with rice, chips, baked potatoes or any toppings your family enjoys.
Click here for the chilli con carne recipe
6. Nando’s Chicken Friday Night Fakeaway
Bring Friday-night fakeaway food home with this easy Nando’s-style chicken recipe. Add homemade chips, coleslaw, rice or flatbreads and let everyone build the dinner they prefer.
Click here for this fab little fakeaway recipe
7. Homemade Pizza
Homemade pizza is a brilliant cosy-weekend dinner. The toppings can be adapted to suit your household, making it a useful recipe for using small amounts of meat, cheese and vegetables from the fridge.
Go here for the best pizza recipe ever!
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Homemade Breads, Sides and Comforting Breakfasts
These recipes can be served alongside a larger meal or enjoyed on their own. They are also a lovely way to fill the kitchen with the smell of something homemade.
8. Irish Brown Soda Bread
This traditional Irish brown soda bread has been made in my family for generations. It does not need yeast or lengthy proving. Serve it warm with butter, soup or a generous helping of jam.
9. Cheese and Onion Scones
These savoury scones are full of cheese and onion flavour. They are delicious served warm and make a comforting lunch alongside soup. They are also useful for lunchboxes and afternoon snacks.
Cheese and onion scones recipe
10. Yorkshire Puddings
Crisp on the outside and soft in the middle, homemade Yorkshire puddings complete a traditional roast dinner. Once you know the method, they are surprisingly straightforward to make with basic ingredients.
Homemade Yorkshire puddings recipe
11. Homemade Oven Chips
Golden homemade oven chips work with burgers, chicken, fish and fakeaway dinners. They use simple ingredients and can help turn an ordinary meal into the sort of dinner everyone looks forward to.
The homemade oven chips recipe is here.
12. Thin Pancakes
Thin pancakes are an easy breakfast, dessert or after-school treat. Keep the toppings simple with lemon and sugar, or add fruit, chocolate spread, syrup or cream for a more indulgent plate.
13. Homemade Mc Muffin
Make a warm breakfast muffin at home using affordable supermarket ingredients. It is filling, easy to assemble and perfect for a slow weekend breakfast or a homemade alternative to picking up a takeaway.
Click here for the Homemade breakfast Mc Muffin recipe
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Cozy Cakes, Puddings and Sweet Treats
Autumn is the perfect excuse to get back into baking. These recipes include warm puddings, simple traybakes, chocolate treats and easy cakes to enjoy at home or share with other people.
14. Apple Crumble
Few desserts feel as cosy as a warm apple crumble. The soft fruit and crisp topping make it an ideal autumn pudding. Serve it with custard, cream or ice cream.
15. Easy Cinnamon Swirls
These easy cinnamon swirls fill the kitchen with a gorgeous cinnamon smell while they bake. Enjoy them warm for breakfast or save them for an afternoon treat with tea or coffee.
16. Big-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
A big batch of chocolate chip cookies means you can enjoy some now and keep more for later. This recipe is useful for filling the biscuit tin, feeding visitors or stocking the freezer with homemade treats.
17. Chocolate Brownies
Rich chocolate brownies are always welcome on a cold afternoon. Cut them into small squares for lunchboxes and parties, or serve them slightly warm with ice cream for an easy dessert.
18. Easy Homemade Chocolate Cake
This easy chocolate cake proves that a good homemade bake does not have to be complicated. It is suitable for birthdays, family celebrations or an ordinary weekend when everyone fancies cake.
19. Chocolate Traybake Slices
Chocolate traybake slices are easy to portion and share. Make them for lunchboxes, family gatherings, school events or any occasion when you need one bake to feed several people.
20. Vanilla Cupcakes
This beginner-friendly cupcake recipe is a useful one to master. The simple vanilla cakes can be served as they are or decorated for birthdays, school events and family celebrations.
Here is you vanilla cupcakes recipe
21. Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Soft vanilla cupcakes filled with chocolate chips make an easy homemade treat. They are simple enough for everyday baking while still feeling special when arranged on a cake stand for guests.
22. Easy Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate mousse feels like an impressive dessert, but it can be surprisingly easy to prepare. Make it ahead and serve it in individual glasses or bowls for a relaxed dinner at home.
23. No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
No-bake chocolate cheesecake
This rich chocolate cheesecake requires no baking and can be prepared in advance. It is ideal for Christmas, family gatherings, birthdays or any occasion that calls for a crowd-pleasing chocolate dessert.
Recipe for No-bake chocolate cheesecake
24. Caramel Squares
These caramel squares combine a biscuit base, soft caramel centre and chocolate topping. Cut them into small pieces for a rich homemade treat that looks lovely on a party table or afternoon-tea plate.
Your Homemade caramel squares recipe is right here
Find More Homemade Recipes
I hope this collection has given you plenty of inspiration for the colder months. Whether you start with a warming bowl of soup, a family fakeaway or something chocolatey, there is something here for nearly every cosy occasion.
You can also explore the complete Mrs Hawkins House recipe collection for more straightforward homemade food and family favourites.
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