Why winter is favorite time to bake.

Winter baking, to me, has never been about making something look perfect. It’s about making something that feels comforting the moment you see it. When it’s cold outside, I’m not chasing sharp edges or flawless finishes — I’m chasing warmth, familiarity, and desserts that feel like they belong in the season.

That’s why so many of my winter desserts lean into chocolate, marshmallow, and rich frosting. A s’mores-style cake piled with toasted marshmallows and dripping chocolate isn’t meant to be neat. It’s meant to feel cozy and indulgent, like something you’d cut into on a cold night when everyone wants just one more slice. The uneven drips, the soft marshmallows, the slightly messy top — that’s part of the comfort.

The same goes for Oreo cakes and cupcakes. Cookies pressed into frosting, swirls that aren’t perfectly uniform, crumbs along the edges — those details make them feel homemade and familiar. Winter desserts should feel generous and comforting, not polished and untouchable. They should look like something you want to dig into, not something you’re afraid to cut.

Even my marshmallow-topped cupcakes fit that same idea. They don’t need to be fancy to feel special. Soft chocolate cake, creamy frosting, and marshmallows piled on top are enough. They’re simple, cozy, and nostalgic — exactly what winter baking should be. They remind me of hot chocolate, cold mornings, and baking just because it feels good to do so.

Winter gives permission to let desserts be what they are. A little rustic. A little messy. A lot comforting. These are the desserts people remember, because they’re tied to how they feel, not how perfect they looked. They’re the ones you linger over, the ones you share, the ones that feel like home.

That’s why winter baking will always be my favorite. It’s not about perfection. It’s about comfort — and making desserts that feel warm before you even take a bite.