British

16 British Comfort Foods for a Proper Night on the Sofa

For when you just need to dive into a pillowy Yorkshire pudding.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

If you’re looking for British comfort food recipes for a cozy night in tonight, you’ve come to the right place. Most of the recipes below are pretty low-key, so you can settle in with a shepherd’s pie or eat your way through a trifle tonight. There are a few more elaborate cakes as well, in case you’re looking for a baking project.

  • Currant scones on a cooling rack.
    Photo by Shutterstock
    1/15

    Currant Scones

    These buttery scones are just what you want with a milky cup of tea. Add clotted cream or jam as desired.

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  • Photo by David Loftus
    2/15

    Bubble and Squeak With Stilton

    Leftover cooked potatoes, carrots, and brussels sprouts find new life in this comforting dish. This rendition adds crumbled blue cheese for a bit of bold flavor.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
    3/15

    Trifle

    You don't need a recipe to make a great trifle—and it's an excellent way to make the most of any small collections of dried fruits, nuts, or bits of cookies, cake, or chocolate that might be lurking around your kitchen. Just follow this guide to get the flavors right.

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  • Mary McCartney
    4/15

    Yorkshire Puddings

    You can make one big Yorkshire pudding to serve with roasted meat; or these individual ones, which are a bit more like popovers—another favorite of ours!

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  • 9/15

    Sticky Toffee Pudding

    We love our new apple version of this classic British dessert, but if you're aiming for nostalgic comfort, start with this recipe.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
    10/15

    British Flapjacks

    A buttery mixture of oats, brown sugar, and golden syrup comes together in a square metal baking pan and bakes until crunchy and browned on top.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    11/15

    Mini Strawberry Eton Mess

    Made with whipped cream, store-bought meringues, and fruit, this recipe is as easy to prepare as it is impressive. The meringues will soften as they sit, giving the dessert just the right amount of texture.

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  • Photo by Laura Edwards
    12/15

    Mark’s Marmalade Christmas Ham

    Anything with marmalade is going to be delicious, but this baked ham is really exactly what we want to be eating.

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  • Photo by Sarah Kieffer
    13/15

    Victoria Sponge Cake

    When nothing will do but a big plate of fluffy cake, this towering sponge with whipped cream layers is here for you.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    14/15

    Mix-and-Match Fools

    This is one of the simplest desserts around. Which means you can be eating dessert that much sooner.

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  • CIA/Keith Ferris
    15/15

    Spotted Dick

    This raisin pudding is steamed instead of baked, and can be portioned into ramekins or steamed in a large bowl and turned out as a whole cake. Either way, it's one of those classic British comfort foods that's just right for a cozy night on the sofa.

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