We asked the Reader’s Digest community to tell us their all-time favourite comfort foods – the kinds of dishes that evoke memories of childhood, satisfy a craving or simply make the world feel like a better place. You’ll be amazed by some of the responses… and may just get a few crazy ideas to try yourself.

1. Chocolate

1. Chocolate
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Dipping a strip of dark chocolate in a mug of hot coffee. Stirring it, then sucking off a layer of oozy lava. I can enjoy the flavour and texture for longer. It feels so decadent but really is such a simple pleasure. I just forget about everything else. – Paul Westbrook

2. Marshmallows

2. Marshmallows
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Marshmallows! Marvellous marshmallows! To me, there’s nothing more comforting than a soft, fluffy, almost cloud-like mallow. – Kerrie Tullipan

3. Fresh bread

3. Fresh bread
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Freshly baked bread smothered in butter. It makes the whole house smell wonderful and it’s so fluffy, yet crusty and warm… like a hug! – Simon Buttfield

4. Cookies

4. Cookies
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My all-time favourite comfort food is cookies. I don’t exactly know why I crave these sugar-filled, chewy circles of goodness so much, but there is just something about them. They’re just so adaptable. There’s double choc-chip cookies when you’re having a particularly exhausting day; smartie dotted cookies when you’re feeling fun; shortbread cookies when you’re feeling elegant; snickerdoodles when you want to welcome a neighbour; and, of course, the classic, yet sophisticated, choc chip cookies. Personally, these are my absolute favourites: buttery, sugary cookies oozing with warm, melted chocolate. Cookies just simply bring out the best in people. – Abby Chai

5. Strawberries

5. Strawberries
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Tender, succulent strawberries – their taste is extraordinary; my perfect fruity snack when hunger pangs attack, every mouthful revealing ‘berried treasure’, giving my tastebuds maximum pleasure! – Peter Walker

6. Chocolate … AND pasta?

6. Chocolate … AND pasta?
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Chocolate and pasta. A chocolate pasta would be the dream but I think that could ruin both the things I love. – Brigitte Nieberl

7. Salt & pepper toast

7. Salt & pepper toast
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Quite simply, hot buttered toast with salt and pepper. My dear Nan used to make it all the time and after one nibble of her toast one day I was hooked as well! It’s just so easy to make and brings back comforting memories. – Natalie Stoute

8. Pancakes

8. Pancakes
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Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes with chocolate chips and ice-cream. They’re so light and fluffy, they practically levitate off the plate and melt my heart. – Christina Hatzis

9. Ice-cream

9. Ice-cream
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Ice-cream. Any kind. It is tasty and makes me feel like a kid without a care in the world. – Karen Coggan

10. Tomato soup

10. Tomato soup
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Tomato soup. It’s a classic that my mum used to make for us. Spiced with a little paprika and rich and creamy. – Melissa Brown

11. Hot chips

11. Hot chips
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Hot chips. They are cheap, they are greasy and salty and hot but they are as close to a warm blanket as something edible can be. – Amanda Gorton

12. Bangers and mash

12. Bangers and mash
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I like mashed potatoes and sausages in winter. They remind me of cozy things and being a child again. – Narelle Warren

13. Chocolate pudding

13. Chocolate pudding
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A steaming hot, self-saucing chocolate pudding with vanilla bean ice-cream. That moment when you take a spoonful of it and it the chocolate just goes everywhere. Heaven in a bowl! – Kerrie Moss

14. Twisties

14. Twisties
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Twisties. I remember as a child being given a small packet from my parents whenever we went out. Movies, swimming pool, barbeques, parties. Since then, whenever needing a hug from the inside, I turn to Twisties for comfort. – Deborah Cairns

15. Liquorice

15. Liquorice
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Liquorice. Maybe I read somewhere that it’s brain food. Regardless, I will believe this, and feel comforted eating liquorice! – Deb Harrison

16. Meat pie

16. Meat pie
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Aside from chocolate it’s meat pies! When I’m stressed I crave them… just the plain meat pie. It’s hot, delicious and makes me happy. – Maria Pennisi

17. Sauerkraut

17. Sauerkraut
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Sauerkraut. The smell alone of it simmering on the stove, always takes my mind back to a time of innocence and complete security as a child at home with my parents. – Diana Donata

18. Popcorn

18. Popcorn
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Popcorn as it’s easy to make, smells wonderful and is a light food to eat but fills me up. – Charlotte Black

19. Vegemite

19. Vegemite
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Vegemite on toast. It makes everything better, especially a hangover. – Karina Lee

20. Nachos

20. Nachos
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Gooey, cheesy, spicy nachos because they’re a decadent treat that feeds your soul when you’re feeling blue. – Melissa Turner

21. Apple pie

21. Apple pie
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Apple pie and ice-cream – warm AND cold… so delicious. – Claire Evans

22. Tim Tams

22. Tim Tams
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Tim Tams and a sweet, hot cup of tea. It feels like a hug from your mum. Warm and sweet. – Janet Hunter

23. Meatballs

23. Meatballs
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My mum’s meatballs. Hearty, simple and nutritious, they remind me of childhood and are delicious mopped up with bread and butter. – Chrissy Temperley

24. Cheesecake

24. Cheesecake
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Cheesecake fits the biblical description of manna: white, delicious and only lasts a day. – Des Bromilow

25. Cashews

25. Cashews
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Sorry, it’s not chocolate, but I love cashews – always have, as I was introduced to them by my late wife and eat them also in memory of her, especially when I am having a down day. – Barry Mansfield

26. Porridge

26. Porridge
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Porridge with milk and sugar, I think because it was a childhood food whenever I was sick. – Sonia Nikadie

27. Prawns

27. Prawns
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Garlic chilli prawns. It’s a delicious yet hot combination. – James Riddle

28. Ribs

28. Ribs
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Drizzled in a sticky marinade, the aroma makes hunger intensified. Beef barbequed ribs… electrifying. Reminds me of growing up on the farm. – Lauren Barnes

29. Tea and toast

29. Tea and toast
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Black tea and vegemite toast. It just is. – Narelle Godwin

30. Rocky Road

30. Rocky Road
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Rocky Road as it covers all comfort food groups: chocolate, fruit, nuts, chewy, crunchy and sweet. – Amelia Masters

31. Burger and chips

31. Burger and chips
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Burger and chips as it satisfies like no other food can. – Bevis Lobo

32. Cottage Pie

32. Cottage Pie
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Homemade Cottage Pie as it was made by my mum, followed by a bowl of vanilla ice-cream with hand-grated block chocolate. Heaven. My final meal right there, Hallelujah. – Cynthia Avery

33. Lasagne with garlic bread

33. Lasagne with garlic bread
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Lasagne with garlic bread. The test of good comfort food is that it tastes even better the next day. – Sonia Cattley

34. Potato and leek soup

34. Potato and leek soup
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Besides chocolate, my favourite comfort food is potato and leek soup, especially on a cold winters evening. It’s my favourite comfort food because my grandmother used to make it for me when I was sick. So whenever it’s cold, raining and I’ve had a bad day, I’ll turn on the stove, open a can and have some soup while wrapped around in blankets watching TV. – Riley Naidu

35. Tea and biccies

35. Tea and biccies
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I love tea with a biscuit. My grandparents used to comfort me with this and we would engage in a chat. – Jill Grosert

36. Lamington

36. Lamington
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My ultimate comfort food is of course… the Lamington. Who can resist that sweet sponge with a jam filling, dipped in chocolate and coated in coconut? Simply delicious! – Michelle Olsen

37. Pikelets

37. Pikelets
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Homemade pikelets with homemade blackcurrant jam. When I was little my nanna would make these for me whenever I was in hospital, sick or just needed cheering up. – Sandra White

38. Hot chocolate

38. Hot chocolate
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Growing up, when I felt down, Mum would make me a cup of hot Milo with a chocolate biscuit. Today, I still enjoy these and instantly feel soothed and calmed. – Wendy Christidis

39. Four Alarm Chilli

39. Four Alarm Chilli
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Four alarm chilli with a side of cornbread. It reminds me of colder northern winters watching footy with my Dad and eating this along with a nice cold beer. Such good memories. – Keith Remmes

40. Potato chips

40. Potato chips
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Salted potato chips. Just love ‘em, washed down with an icy cold Coke! – David Braybrooke

41. Peanut butter

41. Peanut butter
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Peanut butter as I could eat it by the jar, one sandwich at a time. – Phillip Cunningham

42. Apple crumble

42. Apple crumble
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Apple crumble because it reminds me of my grandmother in the kitchen, the smell of stewed apples and cinnamon, and the sense of happiness, calmness and safety as a young child. – Estha Atwell

43. Bacon and eggs

43. Bacon and eggs
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Eggs and bacon on toast. Sets me up for the day. – Stephen Fearnley

44. Macaroni cheese

44. Macaroni cheese
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Macaroni cheese with tomato sauce mixed through it, because it was something my mum used to make me and reminds me of her every time I have it! – Rebecca Kirk

45. Roast chicken

45. Roast chicken
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A good roast chicken, roast spud and seasonal vegetables with homemade gravy. It is so nice and made with love. – Andrina Grigg

46. Thickshake

46. Thickshake
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Thickshakes made with real ice-cream, with real chocolate and whipped cream on top, because it’s a sensory delight and a favourite from childhood. – Tavia Khaine

47. Pizza

47. Pizza
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Pizza. Hot and cheesy and delivered directly to the door. No need to get out of your pyjamas. – Sophie Van Deursen

48. Ambrosia

48. Ambrosia

Ambrosia. Whipped cream with yoghurt, berries and chocolate. My mother made it every year at Christmas when I was a child. A great big bowl that meant I could eat it for leftovers for a week. It always reminds me of Christmas at home with all my family and good food. It’s also delicious. – Brittany Cox

49. Rice pudding

49. Rice pudding
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Nannas homemade vanilla and cinnamon rice pudding recipe. It brings back warm, fuzzy childhood memories! – Rachel Amanatidis

50. Caramels

50. Caramels
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Caramels covered in chocolate as it never fails to cheer me up or add another dimension of happiness to an event. – Jacqui Lagaluga

51. Cheese

51. Cheese
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I love a good cheese with hot salami and olives because it’s perfect with a glass of bubbly to cheer me up. – Tracey Crotty

52. Scones

52. Scones
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A cup of tea and a freshly made scone: warming, re-energising and with a dash of nostalgia. – Imogen Saunders

53. Spaghetti

53. Spaghetti
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A massive bowl of spaghetti … and if you don’t slurp sauce on your chin, then you are not eating it right. – Angela McNeilly

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