5 Book and Food Pairings for Winter Days

January is the perfect month for indoor rituals—books, blankets and something warm from the kitchen. These book and food pairings bring stories to life and give families a simple way to slow down after the holidays.

Snuggling up with a book on a snow day creates core memories for kids. And creating just the right atmosphere is part of the fun. The right snack or simple recipe can deepen the experience, giving kids something to taste, smell or stir while they read. Pairing a winter book with a winter food turns a quiet afternoon into a small event and something that feels both cozy and memorable. These don’t have to be complicated meals or time-consuming crafts. (Though they can be if that makes you happy!) We’re talking about little touches that bring a story to life, whether you’re reading aloud with a toddler or sharing a chapter book with your big kids.

Think of these pairings as invitations. You can read first and make the food afterward. Mix the ingredients while listening to an audiobook. Or, cook together and then sink into the couch with warm apples or buttered homemade bread while reading together on a lazy weekend. Whatever way your family chooses to use them, these books and recipes invite slowing down, savoring the season and creating a few warm moments in the middle of our coldest month.

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “The Long Winter” is full of blizzards, dwindling supplies and the small comforts families cling to when times get tough. One of those comforts is the simple brown bread the Ingalls family makes when flour is scarce. A slice of warm whole-wheat bread spread with butter or drizzled with honey becomes a history lesson kids can hold in their hands, and a gentle way to talk about gratitude, resourcefulness and how families stayed hopeful through long winters.

Simple Brown Bread

• 1 ¾ cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 ¾  cups buttermilk
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup molasses or honey

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and brown sugar.
3. Pour in the buttermilk, vegetable oil and molasses. Stir just until combined. Batter will be thick.
4. Spread batter into the prepared pan. Bake 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with butter or a drizzle of honey.

In “Katy and the Big Snow,” the determined little snowplow works tirelessly to dig out her town after a major blizzard. The book has a nostalgic feel and no wonder—it was written in 1943. But it holds up and is perfect for children who are fans of books like “Little Blue Truck.” Pairing the story with a bowl of warm cinnamon apples gives kids their own warm-up after reading about Katy braving the cold. It’s a simple treat perfect for an after-school snack or a post-nap treat.

Warm Cinnamon Apples

• 6 apples
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter

1. Core and slice apples, then place in slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Cook on low 3-4 hours, stirring in the last hour of cooking. (Cooking time will depend on the firmness of your apples.)

Note: These apples are delicious on their own, but are also good on yogurt or oatmeal.

Jane Yolen’s “Owl Moon” is a quiet, magical winter walk between a child and a parent. It’s full of moonlight, snow crunches and the hush that comes with searching for owls in the dark. Hot cocoa is the perfect companion. Whether you sip it after an evening walk or simply curl up together inside, the pairing of hot chocolate and “Owl Moon” makes the book extra special.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

• 4 cups milk
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Place milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking until warm but not boiling.
2. Add chocolate chips, whisking until melted. Stir in vanilla.

It’s the number one most checked-out children’s book at the New York Public Library for a reason. Ezra Jack Keats’ “The Snowy Day” celebrates the pure joy of a child exploring fresh snow. The little boy, Peter, makes tracks in the snow, creates a snow angel and makes snowballs, turning an ordinary winter day into an adventure. When (fingers crossed) we get a snow day, give your kids the delight of making snow ice cream using clean snow, a splash of vanilla and sweetened condensed milk.

Snow Ice Cream

• 8 cups clean snow
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1. Place snow in a large bowl.
2. Add vanilla and condensed milk, folding in to combine. Serve immediately.

Jan Brett’s “The Mitten” is the tale of one lost mitten that becomes a temporary home for a whole parade of woodland animals. Parents and kids will love the intricate illustrations and looking for the hidden drawings and hints in the border of each page. Pairing this story with a warm and cozy stew helps bring the story to life. Kids can imagine they live in a snow-covered house in the woods, just like Nicki in the book, while they warm themselves with a pot of stew. And a note for parents of picky eaters: Putting the stew in a coffee mug adds a little fun and might just entice your child to try something they otherwise would have passed up.

Chicken and Vegetable Stew

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 Yukon gold or russet potatoes
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup frozen peas
• ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots and celery. Cook 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf.
2. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute to coat. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking or stirring to avoid lumps.
3. Add potatoes and bring the pot to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
4. Stir in the cooked chicken and peas. Cook another 5 minutes. For a creamier stew, add the cream and warm through. Serve warm.

Natalie Mikles is a mom of three. She writes about food, sharing recipes for busy families and picky eaters. Natalie Mikles has been recognized for her food columns as well as features on families and issues affecting local children. She loves pizza and movie nights with her family.