When you’re feeling down, for whatever reason, few things offer the same cheer as a little sweet treat. Maybe it’s chocolate cake, or perhaps it’s a hot apple turnover. Desserts just seem to hit all the right spots and genuinely warm your heart. It’s for this reason that you probably turn to sweets when you want to comfort someone as well. But what’s the perfect bite of comfort? This list offers the top five desserts you can give someone who’s in need of sympathy.
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Of course chocolate chip cookies have to top the list. They’re warm, gooey, sweet, and often a bit salty. Plus, they come in individual servings, so you don’t have to cut or scoop or carve anything out. Chocolate chip cookies are great for all occasions, too. It may be that your friend or family member is going through a bad breakup, or they may have lost a pet. Perhaps they’re under the weather and need a pick-me-up. You can’t go wrong with these bites.
Of course, you can’t just grab a bag of cookies from the market and call it a day. Your best bet when it comes to the perfect chocolate chip cookie is to either bake them yourself or go through a trusted bakery. If you have a tried and true recipe, and the time to bake, then definitely put your heart and soul into a batch (or two) and bring them to your loved one. If not, place an order with your favorite bakery as part of a sympathy care package.
2. Pie
But wait! What if your loved one doesn’t like chocolate or cookies — everyone has different tastes. In that case, a nice warm pie is the next best thing. Pie is another treat that feels nostalgic and hits all the right pleasure centers in the brain. For many, pie is an even better dessert because it’s both a sweet treat and a comfort food. Many kids grew up enjoying a piece of mom’s or grandma’s peach cobbler or apple crumble pie. If this is your loved one’s story, go with pie.
Again, you can make the pie yourself if you have a recipe, or you can find a local bakery. But in this case, you’ll want to be sure you get the right flavor. Find out which fruit or filling your friend or family member favors, and work with that. You don’t want to make a chocolate cream pie for someone who hates chocolate. From there, you can even get a premade pie shell and whip up the filling. A dish that takes you only 30 minutes to an hour to make can transport your loved one back to cherished childhood days.
3. Brownies (or Blondies)
Brownies are another form of chocolate that comes in a warm and comforting package, and they are so good with milk. Brownies are one of those indulgent baked goods that feel so ridiculously over-the-top that they’re perfect for someone having a bad day, week, or year. Add ice cream on top, and you’ve got a sure winner for any chocolate fan.
To get brownies to your loved one, you can use a box mix, which is usually super inexpensive and only calls for eggs and oil. It will take you about an hour to whip up a batch, and you can hand-deliver these indulgent darlings the same day. (Be sure to bring a carton of vanilla ice cream.) If you want to go the extra mile, and you have cocoa powder and other baking essentials on hand, you can make the brownies from scratch, sending all your love in the form of deep, dark, chewy chocolate.
4. Ice Cream
Speaking of ice cream — some people are only soothed by this cold and creamy treat when they’re down. It could be flu, a breakup, or a job loss. A carton of ice cream seems to hit the spot even on the coldest of days. And it can be really healthy, too! If your loved one is one of these people, make sure to double check to find out what they’re favorite flavor is. They may be hardcore Ben & Jerry’s fans, in which case, you’ll need to know which pint to pick up on your way over to commiserate.
If your loved one is having a really hard time and would like some company, you can even make a plan to make ice cream together. Sometimes, when people are sad, they need a distraction and a reminder of happier times. You can pick up an ice cream maker for cheap at a local convenience store like Target or Walmart, and head over with the basic ingredients: eggs, cream, vanilla, and sugar. If you two want to get wild, try to recreate your favorite flavor with fun add-ins.
5. A Box of Chocolates
Last but certainly not least, you can rarely go wrong with a box of chocolates. This dessert has been the traditional sweet treat to deliver since time immemorial. A dozen thick, rich bites of chocolate can make someone feel loved, appreciated, and cared for. Plus, if you get a big box, you can even share in the bites. Make sure you ask your loved one if they prefer nuts or caramels and chews, and if they like dark or milk chocolate.
From there, you can go to your local chocolate store, like Godiva or See’s. You can also order a box for delivery from your favorite chocolate maker, which can feel even more indulgent. Getting a box of chocolates delivered to their door is sure to perk up your loved one. Just like with ice cream, if the goal is also distraction, grab some cacao nibs and chocolate molds, plus some add-ins, and experiment with making your own chocolates together. It’s a fun and flavorful way to pass the time together.
In the end, sweets are a perfect pathway back to feeling better. Which treat you decide to make, deliver, or have delivered should be based on your loved one. If you know them well, then you likely already know what choice to make. But if you’re still figuring out their tastes, this is a wonderful time to plan for a shared treat together. You might even decide to go visit your local bakery or chocolatier as a fun outing to lift their spirits. And it certainly won’t hurt yours.
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