Make Winter Weekends Cozy
When the snow falls and the temperatures drop, there’s nothing like hunkering down at home with cozy food that transports you to your favorite Alberta destinations. Let’s take some inspiration from Jasper, Banff, and other iconic spots to recreate a little slice of Alberta’s charm right in your kitchen. Bonus? These recipes are family-friendly, so everyone can join in the fun!
1. Jasper’s Famous Bear Paws (Pastry)
Inspiration: You can’t visit Jasper without trying a bear paw from the local bakeries that dot the town. These flaky, sweet pastries filled with almond or hazelnut paste are a favorite for fueling up before a mountain hike.
Recreate It:
- You’ll need: Puff pastry sheets, almond paste, sugar, sliced almonds, and an egg wash.
- Use the recipe here to build your bear paws.
- Tip: Pair them with hot cocoa for the full “mountain café” vibe.
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2. Hearty Bison Chili
Inspiration: Alberta’s ranching history means bison meat is a staple for hearty, comforting meals, especially in Southern Alberta. This dish is perfect for winter nights, packed with protein and Alberta pride.
Recreate It:
- Primary Ingredients: Ground bison (available at most Alberta grocery stores), diced tomatoes, kidney beans, onions, bell peppers, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and paprika.
- Recipe: Head to the Bison Producers of Alberta for a home-grown recipe.
- Tip: Use a slow cooker if you want the flavors to develop even more. Toss everything in the morning and let it cook low and slow all day.
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3. Banff’s Hot Maple Drinks
Inspiration: Strolling down Banff Avenue in the winter, it’s easy to find cozy cafés serving warm maple-infused drinks that smell like heaven in a mug. Whether it’s a maple latte or a kid-friendly maple steamer, these treats will warm your heart.
Recreate It:
- For Adults: Make a maple latte by brewing strong coffee or espresso and mixing in steamed milk, a tablespoon of real Alberta maple syrup, and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
- For Kids: A maple steamer is just warmed milk whisked until frothy, with a spoonful of maple syrup stirred in and topped with whipped cream.
- Tip: Garnish with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of nutmeg for extra flair.
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4. Prairie Saskatoon Berry Crisp
Inspiration: The prairies are known for their Saskatoon berries, and this classic dessert is like a warm hug on a chilly night. It’s a taste of summer in the dead of winter.
Recreate It:
- Primary Ingredients: Saskatoon berries (frozen works great, but in summer, you could pick your own), sugar, flour, rolled oats, butter, and cinnamon.
- Recipe: Saskatoon Berry Crisp.
- Tip: Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra treat.
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5. Edmonton-Inspired Green Onion Cakes
Inspiration: Edmonton’s festival food scene brought green onion cakes into the spotlight, and now they’re a household favorite. These crispy, savory treats are surprisingly easy to make.
Recreate It:
- Primary Ingredients: Flour, water, salt, green onions, and vegetable oil.
- Recipe: Green Onion Pancakes, Edmonton Style.
- Tip: Serve with a sweet chili dipping sauce or soy sauce for an authentic touch.
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Wrapping It Up
Alberta is packed with culinary inspiration, from the Rockies to the Prairies, and winter is the perfect time to try your hand at recreating these regional favorites. Whether you’re baking bear paws with the kids or simmering a pot of bison chili, these recipes bring the taste of Alberta home—and they’ll definitely make those winter weekends a lot cozier.
Got a recipe to add to this list? Share it with us—we’d love to try it out!
Ready to get cooking? 
