Fact: When temperatures drop, we like to eat different kinds of food (fattier, richer, carb-ier)āand more of them. Take this here study, which explains the science behind seasonal cravings, and specifically during fall and winter, when our bodies are biologically designed to store fat for survival purposes (nature definitely hasnāt gotten the memo about the current state of our fast-food nation). Itās no wonder we love to overeat at Thanksgiving, and yet somehow always have room for dessert.
MORE:Ā 40 Recipes That Will Make You Excited About Fall Ingredients
Iām not saying this to make you feel guilty aboutĀ eatingĀ sweet treats; Iām saying it so you know that itās not your fault. And so that you can make wise decisions about which foods to indulge in.Ā These 40Ā recipes run the gamut, from chocolate-dipped candy corn treatsĀ to black velvet whoopie pies, but theyāll all satisfy your sweet tooth. Bonus: Lots of them feature seasonal flavors and ingredients like cinnamon, pecans, apples, and pumpkin.
Even better, by making your own desserts at home, at least youāll know exactly whatās going into your body. You can enjoy the cooking process, taste the fruits of your labor, and give the extra batch of cookies or cupcakes away to a friend or neighbor. Or bring them to a holiday party or Friendsgiving. Either way, you wonāt regret adding these to your must-make list.