Christmas Desserts for the Holidays in Florence
Even better than the gifts we receive ourselves are the treats we can share with others. From Christmas cookie exchanges, to yule logs, gingerbread houses, and the traditional Italian panettone and pandoro, the winter holiday season brings an abundance of sugary delights to make everyone happy.
JACKIE POLLIS
Known for her DIY cookie kits in fun themed shapes, Florence resident Jackie Pollis is offering Christmas and Hanukkah-themed sugar cookie decorating kits complete with icing and sprinkles. Shapes include ornaments, dreidels, and more. Also available are Sugar Cookie House kits including enough pieces to make a four-walled house with a chimney, icing to hold it all together, and candy to decorate with. And in a classic cozy-by-the-fire treat, Hot Cocoa Bombs! Flavors include dark chocolate and peppermint. Put one in a mug of warm milk and watch it melt into a delectable cup of chocolatey goodness. Pre-orders accepted until December 20. Email jackie@jackiedoesitaly.com.
DJARIA AMERICAN BAR, via de’ Serragli 100/r
Djària is back again baking up traditional holiday treats from Buche de Noel (a chocolatey sponge cake Yule log), an assortment cookie box made of classic tastes like chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and gingerbread; and apple and pumpkin pies. Pre-order by December 20 through Whatsapp by call or text at 3489139531. Deliver or pickup ready by the afternoon of Christmas Eve (December 24).
VANILLA CAKE – Piazza Niccolò Acciaiuoli, 7/R, Galluzzo
Vanilla Cake Firenze never fails to design the perfect themed treats for every occasion. Just in time for the winter holiday season, they offer a variety of treats from French macarons, to cookies, cupcakes, and more with various Christmas decorations. Try their Speculoos cookie cupcakes, macarons shaped like snowmen, or cupcakes iced with decorated Christmas trees or Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. Call 055 046 2755 or order online. The bakery makes free deliveries within greater Florence.
MELALEUCA – Lungarno delle Grazie, 18
Alongside their famous giant cinnamon rolls, Melaleuca provides DIY giant gingerbread kits with icing, jellies, sprinkles, and popping candy. From their Christmas Eve dinner take-out menu, there is also toffee pudding topped with butterscotch toffee sauce, fruit mince tarts, and custard. Cinnamon rolls come in trays of 6/9/12 and will be delivered hot and fresh Christmas morning. Everything must be pre-ordered in advance as there is limited availability. Call 0556146894 to order or message them on Instagram.
BOTTEGA DI PASTICCERIA – Via Masaccio, 22r
Panettone baked two ways: traditional with raisins and dried fruits, or topped with almonds and pearl sugar. From a family business that has created sweet, elegant pastries and desserts for years, their Italian fruitcake is sure to elevate your holiday and give the perfect, delicious end to Christmas Eve dinner. Call 0556580313 Tuesday to Sunday or email info@bottegadipasticceria.it (cathy doherty)
