It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to get into the kitchen and whip up some holiday treats. But some of us can’t or don’t or even shouldn’t bake, yet we still want amazing treats for guests, gifts, or just for fun. So here are some tips for where you can find delicious holiday baked goods that will have you begging for more. You might want to call ahead to pre-order.
Assumption Abbey Bakery in Ava – Fruitcakes sometimes get a bad rap, but one taste of the rich and indulgent delicacies from the Assumption Abbey Bakery just might change your mind. Each fruitcake weighs in at two pounds and comes packed with raisins, pineapple and cherries. It’s injected with rum to keep it moist and delicious. Originally developed with the help of a world-class chef, the cakes are handcrafted with care by monks who live at the monastery.
Cookie Jar Bakery in Lee’s Summit – Make your celebration sweeter with traditional iced Christmas cookies, which are cute and delicious, and small Bundt cakes in seasonal flavors. The bakery gets rave reviews on their salted caramel brownies and lemon bars – a perfect reward for getting your holiday shopping done. And they have an amazing treat that could double as a great gift – hot chocolate bombs: chocolate balls filled with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows. Just add hot milk!
Kohn’s Kosher Deli in Creve Coeur – Chanukah runs from Dec. 18-Dec. 26, and special treats are a must. All it takes is a call to Kohn’s, and they’ll make a variety of Chanukah cookies in star, dreidel and menorah shapes as well as sufganiyot (donuts filled with jelly), iced and decorated cupcakes, and latkes (potato pancakes). They also carry menorahs and Chanukah candles.
Pie Safe Bakery and Cafe in Pocahontas (just north of Cape Girardeau) – Located in a 1910 bank (it has an old-fashioned candy store in the vault!), Pie Safe Bakery can’t be beat for comfort food for the holidays. Enjoy old-fashioned “grandma” cookies and German yeast coffee cakes. Their homemade jams and jellies made from local fruit make great hostess gifts. If you plan to dine at the cafe while you’re picking up your treats, reservations are encouraged.
Sugarleaf Bakery & Cafe in Branson – A year-round favorite, Sugarleaf Bakery & Café takes advantage of the holidays to focus on mouth-watering, small-batch, from-scratch designer treats ranging from incredible homemade peppermint marshmallows to whimsical cookies in the shape of mittens, Christmas trees and exquisite snowflakes. An added bonus for pet lovers, the patio is dog-friendly.
Sweet Mayhem Bakery and Bistro in Kennett – They have it all when it comes to desserts and treats: beautiful made-to-order and ready-to-go cakes, pies, cinnamon rolls, iced sugar cookies, fudge, homemade candy and delectable mini cannoli. Sweet Mayhem’s chef, Chad Stone, was a contestant on Food Network’s Holiday Gingerbread Showdown in 2018, and he returned to the show in 2022 to compete to create the ultimate gingerbread showpiece.
Sugar and Spice Laura’s Delight in Montgomery City – Go to town on seasonal cookies from this delightful bakery, featuring 25 different types of cookies available individually or in trays. Many of their recipes feature a German heritage, including anise-flavored springerle cookies with imprinted designs. Other favorites include fruit cake and old-fashioned date bars rolled in sugar as well as traditional decorated sugar cookies in holiday designs.
Nathaniel Reid Bakery in Kirkwood – Award-winning pastry chef Nathaniel Reid makes sure every item on the menu is exquisitely executed. Imagine the reaction you’ll get when you set fresh Stollen or a rich yule log in front of your guests. The bakery’s bread pudding is unforgettable: a vanilla-chocolate chip creation made with chocolate croissants and served with a side of caramel sauce. Jams, chocolates, meringues and macarons – filled with handmade deliciousness – are always a welcome gift.