PSA: February doesn’t always need a big touch. It calls for warmth, simplicity, and something delicious in the oven. This is a month where baking becomes less about occasion and more about feeling, guided by desires for luxury and a small boost of happiness.
Our editors’ favorite recipes for February are based on the flavors that the late winter months always bring. Think: cinnamon for instant comfort, orange to brighten up the long winter, and chocolate for the kind of comfort that seems to fail. These are inspiring cookies for winter traditions of all kinds, whether you’re gathering, gifting, or just baking for fun. Recipes that fill the kitchen with nostalgia and remind us why February is enjoyed one sweet moment at a time.
Delicious Baking Staples You Should Keep in Your Pantry
February baking is all about ease and purpose, starting with a pantry full of convenience. Think of versatile ingredients that can turn a slow afternoon into something healthy and delicious.
- Chopped oats: Hearty, comforting, and versatile, rolled oats are the backbone of cozy baking.
- Cocoa powder: Cocoa powder brings a deep, velvety quality that makes winter cookies feel cozy.
- Vanilla extract: The unsung hero that makes everything taste warmer and more familiar.
- Warming spices like cinnamon and cardamom: Cinnamon and cardamom add instant warmth and that mysterious winter feel.
- Honey: Honey provides a mild sweetness and a soft, floral warmth that elevates every bake.
These ingredients make baking less of a project and more of an instinct. When your ingredients are already on hand, it’s easy to bake to your heart’s content—just because it feels like exactly what you need.
How to Create a Winter Baking Tradition
A winter baking ritual doesn’t have to be elaborate. Start by choosing a time when you don’t feel rushed. Maybe on a quiet Sunday afternoon or early Thursday evening. Put on a relaxing playlist, pour yourself something warm like cider or hot cocoa, and let the baking be the party.
Measure slowly. Enjoy the fragrance as it builds. Let the kitchen feel like a booth. Over time, this ritual becomes something you look forward to. A pause in the middle of winter that brings a sense of self-care to your days.
Our Editors’ 10 Delicious Baking Recipes
Chocolate Chip and Bake Cookies
This is my go-to backpack for February when I want something comforting with very little effort. Cut and bake cookies that feel intuitive—mix once, chill, and bake whenever the urge strikes. I love how this version can be customized, with a buttery chocolate base or whatever mix you have on hand. It’s the kind of recipe that’s perfect for a slow winter afternoon, and it makes it easy to share something homemade, even if you want to. – Isabelle Eyman, Editorial Strategist
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
These are the cookies I bake when I want something cozy and healthy that brings the comfort of a dessert. Hearty oats, just the right touch of sweetness, and that fresh-from-the-oven chew that’s irresistible. – Camille Styles, Editor-in-Chief
Oatmeal Cream Pies
I made these oatmeal cream pies for my family for the holidays and there were no crumbs left. The icing is rich but balanced by the jam filling (I opted for a delicious strawberry), and the puffy, oatmeal cookies are a nice twist on the classic chewy version. – Casey McKee, Editorial Assistant
Raspberry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These are one of my favorite cookies to bake with my kids this time of year! We all love raspberries and chocolate, and these cookies hit that sweet spot between the two (pun intended). February always makes me long for cozy, messy kitchen times with my boys, and these are some love-filled fun we can make together. – Edie Horstman, Health Editor
Single Bowl Chocolate Cake
This is the cake I turn to when February wants something deeply chocolatey but delightfully light. One bowl, less cleanup, and a soft crumb that feels comfortable without being over the top. The fine salt on top is non-negotiable. It sharpens the sweetness and makes every bite feel decadent. – Camille Styles, Editor-in-Chief
Citrus-y Olive Oil Cake
Citrus really shines in the winter, so I’m looking for this citrus-y olive oil cake, and this chocolate orange bread cake. I usually save cake recipes for special occasions, but after a very difficult January, I’m looking for any reason to celebrate! Even if it ends the week. Both of these cakes look delicious! – Kristen Garaffo, Design Editor
Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake
As Kristen said, this bread cake is my new weekend bake. There’s something about pulling warm bread out of the oven on a cold Sunday morning that can’t be beat. – Casey McKee, Editorial Assistant
Strawberries and Cream Pavlova
When winter starts to feel long, this pavlova is my reminder that light is still within reach. Light, airy, and full of whatever fruit you feel, it feels festive without being heavy. It’s amazing but it’s never easy to get ahead. I love serving it at the end of a cozy dinner, when you need something sweet but the richness feels like too much. – Isabelle Eyman, Editorial Strategist
Pumpkin Loaf Cake
Forever this pumpkin cake. It’s a crowd pleaser and my favorite meal—it comes out perfect every time. And to start the application to make a pumpkin all year round, not seasonally. – Anna Decker, Social Media & E-Commerce Manager
Gluten Free Citrus Cake with Strawberries and Cardamom Coconut Cream
I was lucky enough to try this cake the first time Allison baked it for Team CS, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Spring strawberries are my personal favorite, but the beauty of this recipe is how effortlessly it works with any fruits or berries that are in season. Right now, I’d skip the coconut crust and opt for orange slices and a simple pinch of powdered sugar. It’s also gluten-free, making it an easy, crowd-pleasing party dessert that looks and feels effortless (but tastes amazing).
– Bridget Chambers, Fashion Editor