Holiday Treats to Enjoy in Vancouver
One of the delights of the season is enjoying special baked goods from artisanal bakeries and cafes all around Vancouver.
Bakers and pastry chefs get particularly creative in December, not only reinventing classics, but also coming up with new holiday favourites. You can enjoy these desserts yourself or give them as gifts to loved ones. Supporting local makes them even more delicious. Note: It’s best to check preordering and pick-up guidelines to avoid disappointment.
Beaucoup Bakery has created a dreamy Winter Wonderland Collection, with their Bûches de Noël (cassis earl grey or mango passion fruit) perfect for any holiday celebration. They’re selling other holiday treats: multiple flavours of Santa Cookies (e.g., tangerine strawberry spritz), Merry Macarons (e.g., pumpkin spice ganache), Jingle Bars, Rudolph’s Bonbons, Winterberry Matcha Basque Cheesecake, and holiday pastries (Noël croissants, gingerbread pain suisse, and Nutcracker scrolls). While some of the items may be available in store, it’s best to preorder (48 hours in advance).
Thierry is known for their decadent Bûches de Noël. This year, they’re featuring four different kinds: chestnut, hazelnut praline, lime mousse, and chocolate and morello cherry (available for preorder). Other sweet options that would be lovely for the holidays include their chestnut tarts, chocolate mint éclairs, kugelhopf, macaron boxes (24 or 48 pieces), as well as their various gift boxes.
Small Victory has so many goodies to tempt. In addition to their regular treats, they have holidays items, such as a pistachio yuzu yule log and milk chocolate and hazelnut yule log. Three flavours of panettone are available: limoncello, chocolate, and classic. And, they’re offering gift sets, such as the SV Gold, which comes with lemon pistachio cranberry shortbread, coconut shortbread, marshmallows, sugar and spice nuts, and their signature granola.
There’s something so lovable about Livia, an Italian bakery/café on Commercial Drive—and there’s also plenty to like about their baked goods. This holidays, they’re selling different treats, such as peppermint cocoa cookies, brown butter hazelnut shortbread, and fig and pistachio cuccidati. Livia is also the place to get panettone (pistachio or chocolate hazelnut).
The charming Sweet Thea has an abundance of holiday baked goods. Traditionalists will love their fruit cake (some with marzipan icing), Christmas pudding, and stollen. You can also purchase one of their Christmas cookie boxes, or buy cookies like chocolate lebkuchen, vanilla kipferl, shortbread, and ginger crinkle cookies separately.
Faubourg has numerous holiday offerings, including Bûches de Noël (e.g., vanilla strawberry walnut and chocolate coffee—preorder for pick-up or delivery). They’re featuring stollen, gingerbread loaves, gingerbread men, and a special Christmas pastry with chestnut mousse, cassis confit, and almond joconde sable.
Purebread has numerous holiday treats to make your season merrier. They have cakes aplenty, such as a gingerbread caramel cake, festive carrot cake, winter mint cake, vegan chocolate peppermint cake, and festive chocolate cake (preorder this cake for December 20-24 only). Other seasonal baked goods include mince tarts, a cranberry ginger raisin loaf, and a Christmas selection box of cookies (for preorder only).
Temper Chocolate & Pastry in West Vancouver has all sorts of holiday specials to give to those on your list. Bûches de Noël come in three flavours (black forest, coconut lime, and salted caramel), and there is also stollen. Additional treat options include egg nog truffles, dark and white candy cane bark, mini chocolate Santas, and “Tempermint” (peppermint patties). Chocolate ornaments and chocolate Christmas tree showpieces are also available. Preorder to secure your favourite treats.
Mon Paris Pâtisserie’s Holiday Collection is in full festive swing. The Burnaby establishment is offering their own spin on Bûches de Noël, with three flavours: orange and chocolate, red fruits and vanilla, and caramel pecan coffee. Preorder for pick-up December 22-24. Other holiday selections are shortbread cookies (e.g., pecan caramel delight), dark chocolate snowmen, chocolate holiday trees, and dark or milk chocolate ornaments.
Holiday Treat Experiences
And, if you’re looking for a holiday treat experiences, Fairmont Vancouver Airport in Richmond has an afternoon tea ($85 per adult, $53 per child) running until December 31 (except December 24 and 25), which features items like Mont Blanc tarts, gingerbread cookies, festive macarons, and Black Forest Noël. Alternatively, you can satisfy your sweet tooth after visiting Gingerbread Lane (until December 27) at Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Mosaic Grille (2nd floor) is featuring a Sleigh Ride, which comes with hot chocolate, homemade shortbread, cookies, a chocolate dipped grissini, and marshmallows. Adults can make it a Baileys' Sleigh Ride
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours is hosting a “Holiday History and Hot Chocolate Tour” this season, perfect for those who like their history paired with a cup of hot chocolate. After hot chocolate at Trees (they also have great cheesecake), you will spend roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes admiring holiday lights and visiting key heritage buildings downtown. You’ll be regaled with stories, including ones of corrupt politicians and vaudeville dancers in Vancouver. This is a great way to get to know the city (note: suitable for kids over ten). Book tickets ($49 per adult, $45 for youth and seniors) in advance; the tour runs until January 10.