NYC's 8 Best Holiday Season Treats
The month of December brings holiday cocktails, the Festival of Lights, and long shopping lists. Here are the best Chanukah and Christmas-themed treats and desserts. By Sarah Shaker.
Merry Cookie Cupcakes, One Tough Cookie
212-691-4997
onetoughcookienyc.com
Merry Christmas cookie-topped cupcakes double as holiday party decorations. Intricate and delicious, One Tough Cookie's baked goods are created by custom request, and prices vary upon order. If you have an image in your head of a special one-of-a-kind design, send pastry chef Gail Dosik your drawings and doodles. She'll turn your sweet dreams into cookie reality this holiday season.
Just in time for Chanukah, Doughnut Plant is offering Jelly Doughseeds filled with housemade blackberry - one with a vanilla bean glaze and one with peanut butter glaze. Other seasonal doughnuts at this LES favorite include Cranberry, made with fresh cranberries in the glaze and mixed into the batter, Marzipan with real almonds, Panettone with imported citron, pine nuts and golden raisins, Gingerbread with real ginger and molasses and ginger bits in the glaze and Triple Chocolate Mint, which highlights their signature Triple Chocolate Cake doughnut with a fresh mint glaze, just for the holidays.
This holiday season Armani/Dolci offers a variety of pralines, jams, and Italian cakes, like their popular Panettone. This sweet bread is typically prepared in Italy to celebrate Christmas and New Year, so this treat is perfect to gift to a holiday hostess or to serve your guests all season long.
Ample Hills Creamery is proudly offering three seasonal flavors among their 24 homemade flavors this holiday. Candy Cane combines peppermint ice cream with flecks of crushed candy canes, for the ultimate Christmas treat for sugar lovers. The Egg Nog ice cream is spiced and spiked with nutmeg, cinnamon, and a splash of rum. The Hungry Fox ice cream will be the newest holiday flavor to be created at the creamery with molasses ice cream, pieces of homemade gingerbread cookies and swirls of lemon curd.
Known for their Green Tea Lava, Spot Dessert Bar offers creative treats all year round in their ground-level shop in the East Village. During the holidays, they are featuring Santa Brownies, tapa style brownie bites topeed with strawberries, cream and mini marshmallows. These chocolately bites are fun for kids of all ages.
Macaroons, Russ & Daughters
179 E. Houston
New York, NY
212.475.4880
russanddaughters.com
Along with a stellar Chanukah menu featuring homemade potato latkes, Russ & Daughters extensive sweets selection includes favorites like coconut macaroons, hand dipped in chocolate. The lower east side establishment is a reliable pick for holiday catering or picking up a last minute gift.
Amy's Bread's Decorated Gingerbread Cookies
672 Ninth Avenue
212-977-2670
amysbread.com
See Also: The 6 Best Bakeries In NYC
With three New York locations, Amy's Bread is known for their impeccably handcrafted foods that satisfy every craving. This season, the bakery and cafe's beautifully decorated gingerbread boys and girls are available for all occasions. Whether you're decorating the tree, wrapping them as gifts or indulging yourself, Amy's Bread's uniquely decorated gingerbread cookies won't disappoint.
Get ready for Chanukah with vegan, gluten-free and kosher Rugelach at BabyCakes in the Lower East Side. This traditional holiday treat is now safely made for those with allergies or on a special diet, but still want to enjoy a delicious dessert. They are also baking jam donuts this holiday season.
Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.
