Top 17+ of our favourite winter baking recipes

While the arrival of winter brings shorter days and frosty nights, it also brings cosy, comfort food as a much-welcome consolation – and as much as we love a bowl of nourishing stew or hearty soup, it’s the warm, delicious baked treats that really lift our spirits during the cooler months.

From savoury pies to tasty puddings and everything in between, we’ve found some of the best winter baking recipes, both sweet and savoury, to feed the soul and satisfy the sweet tooth. Time to dust off those oven mitts!

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

17 of our favourite winter baking recipes

Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry

Maggie Beer shares a hearty, delicious braised beef pie recipe that can also be made with gluten-free pastry.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: Leon Schoots

Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Classic country chicken pie

From the buttery, flaky pastry to the creamy chicken and vegetable filling, this chicken pie makes the perfect winter lunch or dinner and is guaranteed to please even the fussiest of eaters.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: Nic Gossage | Styling: Lisa Burden

Mandarin cake with mascarpone

This decadent, layered creation features a layer of velvety mascarpone cream sandwiched between two moist layers of cake. It’s all topped off with a delicate crown of candied orange.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: Brett Stevens

Classic bacon and egg pie

When plain old toast or porridge just won’t do, these moreish bacon and eggs pies make for a warm and fulfilling breakfast, brunch or even lunch.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography and styling: Tilly Pamment

Chocolate and raspberry pudding

Is there anything more decadent than a chocolate pudding? Topped with raspberries, this warm chocolate pud from Tilly Pamment is gooey, delicious and simple to make.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie

This traditional Maltese dish combines two classic comfort foods – pasta and pastry – to create a hearty, wholesome and delicious pie the whole family is guaranteed to enjoy. “Nanna’s timpana was a staple at family get-togethers as well as a regular dish at home,” says Tamarah Pienaar, who shares her grandmother’s special recipe.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: Alicia Taylor

Espresso choc date pudding

This winter-warming chocolate pudding is topped with espresso toffee sauce, a dust of icing sugar and a generous dollop of thick cream.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: Craig Wall | Styling: Geraldine Munoz

Wholemeal date scones

You can’t go wrong with a fresh scone and hot cup of tea on a chilly winter’s morning or afternoon. Doreen Taylor’s date scones disappeared at ladies’ guild suppers and sold out at church fetes.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: Alicia Taylor | Styling: Kate Brown

Scandi-style whole baked apples

This delicious recipe combines the tartness of whole-baked Bravo apples with almonds, cardamom and buttery goodness – all topped with a good serving of cream.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: Craig Wall | Styling: Geraldine Munoz

Family-sized cheese and spinach pie

This heirloom spinach pie recipe has sustained Josephine Smith’s family for more than 30 years. A hearty vegetarian dish that is as delicious as it looks.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: chinasquirrel

Cinnamon sponge cake

Is there anything quite so warming as spicy notes of cinnamon in a freshly baked treat? This recipe has been passed down through generations by Delphine Perrett, who is remembered for her flair for baking.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Apple and blackcurrant pie

While you can’t go wrong with a classic apple pie, blackcurrants give this go-to cool-weather dessert a tangy twist and rich purple colour.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photography: Rob Shaw

Mini vegie pasties

A humble vegie pasty is the perfect cold-weather lunch. Hearty and delicious, they can be eaten piping hot from the oven or even cold. Its versatility makes it a great lunchbox or picnic staple.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Photochef: James Callaway

Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie

A flavour-packed pie is the best comfort food after a long day, says Steve Cumper, and we tend to agree. Topped with crispy potatoes, this chicken, leek and cheddar pie is a crowd pleaser.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Leek and gorgonzola tart

Salty, earthy gorgonzola and sweet, creamy leeks make for a delicious pairing in this comforting tart recipe created by Steve Cumper.

17 warming winter baking recipes to try this season,      Maggie Beer’s beef meat pie with sour cream pastry   ,      Pear sponge pudding with caramel sauce   ,      Classic country chicken pie   ,      Mandarin cake with mascarpone   ,      Classic bacon and egg pie   ,      Chocolate and raspberry pudding   ,      Timpana: traditional Maltese pasta pie   ,      Espresso choc date pudding   ,      Wholemeal date scones   ,      Scandi-style whole baked apples   ,      Family-sized cheese and spinach pie   ,      Cinnamon sponge cake   ,      Apple and blackcurrant pie   ,      Mini vegie pasties   ,      Potato-topped chicken, leek and cheddar pie   ,      Leek and gorgonzola tart   ,      Rhubarb apple crumble

Rhubarb apple crumble

In this classic winter crumble, apples and rhubarb make for a slightly tart filling that pairs perfectly with the golden Anzac biscuit top. Serve hot out of the oven with vanilla ice cream and savour each spoonful.