Top 20 comfort desserts in America (recipes included)

Every kid loves chocolate chip cookies. Now, as an adult, you still do! Add walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, chocolate chunks, even sea salt if you wish. But nothing beats the plain old-fashioned variety. Warm out of the oven, the chocolate simply oozes deliciousness alongside a nice tall glass of cold milk. For a classic Chocolate Chip recipe, click here.When the weather outside is frightful, a bowl of egg-soaked bread baked to golden perfection is exactly what's called for. Add some brandy sauce into the equation and you've got pure nirvana. For a popular Bread Pudding recipe by Paula Deen, click here.Warm. Sweet. Full of cinnamon. And topped with a rich and gooey cream cheese frosting. There's nothing better. For a Cinnamon Rolls recipe that is as close as you'll get to the famous Cinnabon rolls, click here.View the list ยป
Comfort Desserts

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When temperatures drop, and snow accumulates, and icicles form outdoors, there's nothing better than a warm, homecooked meal indoors to satisfy the soul. But none of that light fare, thank you very much. No, it's good old-fashioned, hearty, and satisfying comfort food we're after.

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Granted, we all know that macaroni and cheese, chili with cornbread, and meatloaf with mashed potatoes fit the bill when it comes to great choices for comfort main dishes. But what about comfort desserts?

According to an informal survey, the top 20 best comfort desserts in America are those featured in the list below (recipes included):

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  • Warm. Sweet. Full of cinnamon. And topped with a rich and gooey cream cheese frosting. There's nothing better. For a Cinnamon Rolls recipe that is as close as you'll get to the famous Cinnabon rolls, click here.
  • When the weather outside is frightful, a bowl of egg-soaked bread baked to golden perfection is exactly what's called for. Add some brandy sauce into the equation and you've got pure nirvana. For a popular Bread Pudding recipe by Paula Deen, click here.
  • Every kid loves chocolate chip cookies. Now, as an adult, you still do! Add walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, chocolate chunks, even sea salt if you wish. But nothing beats the plain old-fashioned variety. Warm out of the oven, the chocolate simply oozes deliciousness alongside a nice tall glass of cold milk. For a classic Chocolate Chip recipe, click here.
  • With apples so plentiful and in their full glory, this is the season to make best use of them. Warm, cinnamony, and perhaps even topped with some whipped cream or ice cream, nothing tops this soul-satisfying dessert. For a favorite Baked Apple recipe that only takes 15 minutes in the oven, click here.
  • Rich, dense, full-of-carrots cake is topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting. No arguments of how delicious this is. The only debate is whether to add nuts or raisins, too. Either way, this comfort dessert is a real treat. For a winning Carrot Cake recipe, click here.
  • With blueberries in abundance, either fresh or frozen, it's clear to see why these muffins ooze flavorful juiciness. Mini, regular, or jumbo size muffins are your own preference. But bet you can't eat just one! For a healthy version of Blueberry Muffin recipe, click here.
  • Enveloped with a flaky crust and chock full of pecans, this pie exudes warmth and comfort. For a highly satisfying Pecan Pie recipe, click here.
  • Soft, creamy, sweet rice pudding. Topped with ground cinnamon or freshly grated nutmeg, with or without plump raisins or billowy whipped cream, warm or at room temperature, it is certain to please the heart and soul. For a traditional Rice Pudding recipe, click here.
  • Dense chocolate brownies. With or without nuts. With or without frosting. With or without milk. It doesn't really matter because, frankly, who could resist any of them? For the fudgiest Brownie recipe, click here.
  • Thick, lush, decadent. That's the best way to describe this pie, which is full of sweet toasted coconut flavor and topped with a billowy meringue cloud. For a top-rated Coconut Cream Pie recipe by Emeril Lagasse, click here.
  • About as classic a dessert as there is, this dense-yet-light cake brings much comfort to even the clilliest of days. Eat it plain or top it off with fresh fruit and whipped cream, if you dare! For a quick-and-simple Pound Cake recipe by Paula Deen, click here.
  • So much chocolate. So much to love. There is something extra special about biting into a richly decadent slice of pure chocolate heaven like this. For a winning Chocolate Cheesecake recipe by Nigella Lawson, click here.
  • This retro dessert goes back a long way. But it sure continues to make us feel that sense of nostalgia of happy childhoods and simpler days. It's also perfect for last-minute company. For a classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake recipe, click here.
  • Bananas are not only nutritious, they're delicious and bake well. Paired with a hearty, moist batter that includes walnuts, it tastes great with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Slather some whipped honey butter on top as well! For a great Banana Nut Bread recipe, click here.
  • Whether you're eating it with plain coffee or caffe latte grande, nothing beats the satisfying combination with good old-fashioned coffee cake. And in the rare chance you have any left over, it keeps well in the freezer, too. For a great Coffee Cake recipe by Martha Stewart, click here.
  • There are hundreds of cookie varieties. But some of the best are the ones we grew up with. And these are one of them. Chewy and chock full of heart-healthy oats and raisins, they are a must-have. For the original, famous Oatmeal Raisin Cookies recipe from Quaker Oats, click here.
  • The saying goes, "As American as apple pie." And they're right. Whether a la mode or not, this is a quintessential favorite for all the right reasons. Use a variety of apples for the best result. For an award-winning Apple Pie recipe, click here.
  • It's gooey. It's sweet. And it's fun to eat. What's not to love about this dessert with the funny name. Kids love helping make it. And you can elect for one big form or many small ones. For a five-star Monkey Bread recipe, click here.
  • Cupcakes that boast the most beautiful shade of red you'll ever see. That's what these are all about. Topped with creamy cream cheese frosting, one bite and you'll swear you're in heaven. For a favorite Red Velvet Cupcakes recipe, click here.
  • Not only is this dessert comforting and satisfying, it's also versatile enough to make full use of any fruits that are in season. The oatmeal-based topping adds just the right amount of crunch. For a simple Fruit Crisp recipe that can be made in the microwave as well, click here.
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, Cleveland Dessert Examiner

Maria Isabella is an award-winning writer with a serious sweet tooth. She is also the author of the hugely popular, newly released cookbook, In the Kitchen with Cleveland's Favorite Chefs. Maria is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, the James Beard Foundation,...

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