5 Bakeries for Holiday Treats in Philly

I think we can all agree that the best part of the holidays is the food, especially the desserts. While I commend all the home bakers out there, not everyone was gifted with the skill or patience to bake from scratch. With the plethora of talent in Philly’s bakery scene, it may be best to leave it to the professionals. From cookie decorating kits to vegan pies, you’ll find a little something for everyone on this list of the best holiday treats in Philadelphia!

Essen Bakery

Essen Bakery is your one-stop shop for Hanukkah (and general holiday) goodies! On a normal day the East Passyunk bakery is stocked with challah and chocolate babka, but for the holidays they bring out the big guns – jewish apple cake, rugelach, black and white cookies and my personal favorite, sufganiyot – a jelly filled donut topped with powdered sugar.

While you’re there you might as well pick up one of their dangerously flakey homemade pop-tarts with cranberry and toasted meringue. They tend to sell-out quickly, so pre-order is very much recommended.

Visit Website

New June Bakery

New June Bakery, a micro-bakery located in Fairmount, is offering a bonkers holiday-edition tasting box for $65, filled with five slices of cake and an assortment of cookies. You’ll find flavors like pumpkin olive oil dark chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting and salted caramel swiss buttercream; violet meringue devil’s food cake with french chocolate buttercream and chocolate dipped butter cookie crunch; and chewy brown butter almond rocha and salted caramel blondies (just to name a few)!

There will also be two seasonal, 9’’ cakes available to order only in December – one is an almond clementine cake with brandy spiked dark chocolate ganache, and a pistachio semolina rose cake with chopped pistachios and candied rose petals. Keep in mind that all orders must be placed by email or through its website, with pick-up in Fairmount.

Visit Website

Darnel's Cakes

In my opinion Christmas brunch is just as important as dinner, and I don’t want a Christmas brunch unless it includes homemade quiche and cinnamon rolls. If you’re like me, Darnel’s Cake’s is the place to go. On the daily they have freshly made quiche with caramelized onions and gruyere, generously sized cinnamon buns iced with cream cheese frosting, and buttermilk biscuits, for if you’re feeling extra fun.

In addition to being a successful black-owned bakery, Darnel’s Cakes also strives to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, while also supporting local and national organizations that are working to do the same. Cheers to that.

Visit Website

Sweet Box

While cupcakes aren’t the most traditional holiday treat, no one will be mad if you bring a dozen from Sweet Box to your next holiday get together. They add a handful of fun, limited flavors to the menu every month, and December is one to look forward to for their holiday inspired selection.

You’ll find hot cocoa flavored cupcakes adorned with a jumbo marshmallow and chocolate icing, along with their chocolate peppermint cupcake appropriately topped with a mini candy cane and red sprinkles. Whatever you do, do not pass up their chocolate covered cookie dough bars – they are life changing.

Visit Website

Crust Vegan Bakery

Crust Vegan Bakery, located in the heart of Manayunk, is the spot for vegan baked goods. Yes, everything they sell is 100% vegan, even down to the seasonal chocolate boxes next to the register. They usually have a wide assortment of baked goods from pastries to cakes, but around the holiday season they roll out some fun, festive goodies, like chocolate peppermint cakes and hot chocolate bombs. Their assorted holiday cookie boxes are a big hit, with the option to buy a pre-built cookie box or to curate your own. With flavors like snickerdoodle, chocolate chip, gingerbread, pignoli, thumbprint and sugar cookies shaped like mittens and menorahs – there’s a lot to choose from!

Visit Website

Try any of these treats?

Did you love any of these holiday goodies we featured, or did you discover your own seasonal treat? Share them with us on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook!

5 Bakeries for Delicious Holiday Treats in Philly

Essen Bakery

New June Bakery

Darnel's Cakes

Darnel's Cakes

Sweet Box

Crust Vegan Bakery

Crust Vegan Bakery

Try any of these treats?

Follow us

Curated by

Cristina

It’s better in the app

5 Bakeries for Delicious Holiday Treats in Philly

Essen Bakery

New June Bakery

Darnel's Cakes

Darnel's Cakes

Sweet Box

Crust Vegan Bakery

Crust Vegan Bakery

Try any of these treats?

Follow us

Curated by

Cristina