Cinnamon basically tastes how winter feels.

It smells like a cozy sweater and cuddling next to a fire. Plus, it’s actually really good for you, since it’s packed with antioxidants. Why would you not eat it for every meal?

Here’s a full day’s menu of cinnamon-based meals. Your taste buds will thank you!

Breakfast: Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal

Oatmeal is my favourite winter breakfast. It’s healthy, filling, and easy to make.

Ingredients (one serving)

• Old-fashioned rolled or quick oats (I usually use about ⅓ cup)
• Milk (about 3x the amount of oats—I use cashew milk, but whatever you have works)
• ½ tsp. cinnamon (!!!)
• ¼ tsp. nutmeg
• Sweetener to taste (I use maple syrup)
• Any toppings you like, including banana, nuts, seeds, berries, dried fruit, or even icing for a true cinnamon roll experience!

Instructions

1. Bring your milk to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Try not to let it boil, or it might burn and stick to the pan.
2. Stir in your oats, nutmeg, and cinnamon (!!!).
3. Let simmer, stirring often, until the milk is absorbed and the oats have reached the desired level of creaminess. Timing will vary based on whether you used quick oats. Taste and add sweetener as needed.
4. Top with whatever you like and dig in!

Lunch: Cinnamon Apple and Brie Grilled Cheese

Like a cheesy, melty, glorious apple pie, but for lunch.

Ingredients

• 2 slices bread of choice (use cinnamon raisin if you’re feeling wild)
• Half an apple, sliced
• ½ tbsp. butter
• ½ tsp. cinnamon (!!!)
• ½ tbsp. maple syrup or honey
• Squeeze of lemon juice
• 4-6 slices of brie cheese

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced apples, maple syrup, lemon juice, and cinnamon (!!!). Cook, stirring occasionally until the apples are soft, but still hold their shape. Remove from the pan.
2. Increase heat to medium. Butter one side of both slices of bread. Construct your sandwich: bread, half the brie, apples, the rest of the brie, then the second slice of bread (butter side up). Carefully transport to the pan.
3. Press down on your sandwich with a spatula until the brie has melted enough to stick everything together. Check your bottom slice of bread occasionally to make sure it’s not burning. When everything’s nice and gooey, give it a flip.
4. Cook until both sides of the bread are brown and crispy. Remove from pan and enjoy!

Slightly adapted from here.

Snack: Cinnamon Chipotle Popcorn

Spiced popcorn is one of my favourite snacks. It’s simple, healthy, and watching the kernels pop never gets old. 

Ingredients (one serving)

• 1 tbsp. popcorn kernels
• ½ tbsp. + ½ tsp. of oil, divided
• Pinch of each of chipotle powder, cayenne, and cinnamon (!!!)
• Pinch each of sugar and salt

Instructions

1. Heat the ½ tbsp. of oil in a small pan; once heated, stir in chipotle, cayenne, and cinnamon (!!!) and set aside.
2. Add the ½ tsp. of oil to a large pot. Once heated, add kernels. Cover pot and shake periodically until all kernels are fluffy white deliciousness.
3. Pour oil-and-spice mixture over popcorn and stir until coated. Add sugar and salt, and give one final stir. Enjoy!

Dinner: Tuscan Pumpkin Pasta

Because why not make literally everything pumpkin spice?

Ingredients (makes 2.5 cups of sauce)

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• ½ tsp. cinnamon (!!!)
• 4 tsp. sweetener of choice
• ½ cup full-fat coconut milk (or heavy cream)
• ½ tsp. dried sage
• 16 oz. pasta of choice
• Pinch each of sugar and salt

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions until tender. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (be careful not to burn it).
2. Add in tomatoes, pumpkin, cinnamon (!!!), sage, sweetener, and a ¼ cup of water. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
3. Once boiling, lower heat and stir in coconut milk (or heavy cream).
4. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve over pasta!

Slightly adapted from here.

Dessert: Perfect Snickerdoodles from Smitten Kitchen

Ending on a classic.

Ingredients (for ~3 dozen cookies)

• 2 + ¾ cups flour
• 2 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 8 oz. room temperature unsalted butter
• 1 + ¾ cups sugar
• 2 tbsp. cinnamon (!!!)
• 2 large eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. Combine butter and 1.5 cups of sugar (easiest with a mixer, but possible with a little elbow grease and a dream in your heart).
4. Add eggs; combine. Add dry ingredients; combine.
5. Chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Stir together the remaining ¼ cup of sugar and cinnamon (!!!). Form dough into small balls and roll in cinnamon sugar before placing 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
7. Bake for about 10 minutes (or until they begin to crack), rotating after 5 minutes. Let cool if you have the willpower.

If this wasn’t a perfect day, I honestly don’t know what to tell you. Happy (and safe) holidays, everybody!