It’s that time of the year again when everything around seems more colourful. With Christmas just over a fortnight away, the air is already saturated with the delightful aroma of winter baking. Therefore, on National Pastry Day, it is only fitting to track the yummiest trends of the season.
According to Shailaja Santaram, pastry chef at a standalone restaurant, “Seasonal fruits in desserts are perfect for winters. From apple crumble, caramelised bananas, and citrus tarts to poached pears and sparkling oranges, there are so many desserts one can indulge in this year. And with fruit in it, you don’t have to feel guilty about taking a second helping!”
“My favourite winter dessert would be a good chocolate soufflé,” says Vinesh Johny, owner and chef at Lavonne. “Other traditional desserts that are making their comeback include tarte tatin and apple crisp. Desserts like the lava cake will never go out of style. There are various versions of the same now with different fillings in the centre and chefs are playing with exotic flavours so you have salted caramel molten lava cakes or marshmallow centred lava cakes. Churros and beignets are an all-time favourite and best enjoyed during winter. Some of the typical holiday desserts like Stollen and plum pudding will always be in popular,” he adds.
For Tanushka Sagar, a home baker, “December has everything to do with pies and while mincemeat pies are trending the world over at this time of the year, I am busying myself making warm apple pies with spiced apple caramel sauce, luscious cranberry pies, and the lemon meringue pie is always a favourite among customers. There is also something really comforting about chocolate desserts in Fall/Winter. Hot chocolate, white chocolate mousse, chocolate torte, and chocolate chip cookies are the best,” she finds.
Pudding lovers, there’s no better time for you to dig into these piping hot offerings than now! “Winter pastries and desserts needn’t really be fancy,” observes Jeneca D’Souza, a home maker and baking enthusiast. “Banana pudding, homemade bread pudding, toffee pudding, and baked rice pudding are my eternal favourites. They’re also quite well-liked by children,” she points out.
Similarly, brownies of all kinds are stocking up on points among gourmet grazers. Peppermint, peanut butter, walnut brownies, and espresso spiked brownies, are major hits this season, with bakers around the city including these in their Christmas hampers and yuletide special menus.
With the year coming to a close and a host of celebrations and parties lined up, the focus to look and feel good is imminent.
So, if you’re looking for healthy dessert options this winter, Tanushka says: “Go for pastries that utilise lighter ingredients. Ginger cookies, date fruit crisps, oatmeal cookies, pumpkin pies, spiced apricots, and other bite sized offerings are perfect for the season.”
The beauty of winter pastries is that most of them need not be store bought as they are fairly simple to make at home so go on, whip em up!
