4 winter comfort snacks

Winter is the perfect season for cozying up indoors or put on a snowsuit and going to play in the snow.

No matter how you like to spend your winter days, a comforting snack is the perfect way to stave off the chills! Here are a few easy, low-cost recipes that will please the entire family.

Dark chocolate zucchini muffins

These low-cost chocolate zucchini muffins are easy to make and perfect for a cold day. You may be surprised to find out that zucchini will make your muffins even more moist and delicious. Plus, they’re an easy way to get your kids to eat more veggies! You'll need ½ cup of melted or very soft butter, ¾ cup of sugar, two cups of flour, ½ cup of plain yogurt, two shredded zucchinis, two eggs, a pinch of baking powder, and one cup of dark chocolate. Start by preheating the oven to 375 °F. Combine the butter, yogurt, sugar, and eggs in a bowl. Then add the zucchini. Gradually stir in the flour and chocolate chips. Pour the batter into a muffin tin and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. Serve warm with a cold glass of milk!

Homemade hot chocolate = the ultimate comforting beverage

After a day spent with the family outdoors, warm up with a hot chocolate while watching a movie or enjoying a jigsaw puzzle! To prepare the ultimate homemade hot chocolate, you'll need milk and some dark or milk chocolate. Use about 200 grams of chocolate for one litre of milk. Feel free to adjust the ratio if you want more or less chocolatey goodness! Simply heat the milk in a pot on low (make sure it doesn't boil) and gradually add pieces of chocolate while gently stirring. You can also add a bit of vanilla and a hint of cinnamon if you have some on hand. Once you're ready to serve, add a marshmallow or two, some whipped cream, or even candy canes or other types of candy to delight the kids. When it comes to hot chocolate, don't be afraid to get creative!

Healthy sweet energy balls

Energy balls are always a practical snack! Bring some with you if you plan to spend a few hours outdoors or sitting in the car. You'll need Selection pitted dates, ground oats, chia seeds, pieces of dark chocolate, and the nut butter of your choice (almond, peanut, cashew, etc.). Start by pulsing the dates in the blender. Add the oats, chocolate, chia seeds, and nut butter. Once the ingredients are mixed all together, shape the mixture into balls of about 2 to 3 centimetres in diameter and place on a plate in the fridge for about 15 minutes so they chill. If you want to improvise with the ingredients, go right ahead. You can add nuts, pieces of coconut, etc. Energy balls can be kept in the fridge for about a week or three months in the freezer. We recommend preparing them in bulk so you'll have some ready to go during hectic weeks.

Freshly baked fruit crumble

A fruit crumble is a low-cost, simple "dessert" snack. The most common type of crumble is of course apple, but you can also use strawberries, pears, raspberries, chocolate chips, nuts, etc. You'll need a cup of oat flakes, ¾ cup of sugar or brown sugar, ¼ cup of white flour, 1/3 cup of butter, and the fruit of your choice. If you want to use apples, six medium-sized apples should do. Preheat the oven to 350 °F. For the crumble, combine the oats, flour, half the brown sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. In another bowl, combine the apples, other fruit (if you have any), and remaining brown sugar. A pinch of cinnamon can also be used to enhance the crumble's flavour. Finally, pour the apple mixture into a mould and cover with the oat mixture. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. When you're ready to serve, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.