If you don’t want to spend the whole day in the kitchen whipping up holiday desserts this year, let these local bakeries, patisseries, and cafes give you a helping hand this season! From petit fours, macarons, yule logs and so much more — there’s a decadent holiday dessert for everyone.
The Best Bakeries in Maryland for Holiday Desserts
Maryland is home to an assortment of delicious bakeries that can bake up holiday-themed desserts this Christmastime, as well as year-round favorites that never go out of style.
Classic Bakery
Where? 9204 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg
The holiday menu at Classic Bakery is available throughout the month of December, with options such as the reindeer cake, the yule log bûche de noēl, and the beautifully decorated holiday wreath cake. The favorites menu includes party-sized pastry boxes that can wow a crowd and delicious signature cakes that will become the pièce de rèsistance of your dessert table at your upcoming holiday party. Try the pistachio rose roulette or the Napoleon cake that’s adorned with fresh berries. The Ferrero Rocher cake is a crowd-pleaser and your guests will never turn their noses up at the butter cookie box with a selection of tasty treats perfect for the holidays. When you order ahead at Classic Bakery, you can take advantage of $3 off your purchase when you enter the code “HOLIDAYCHEER” at online checkout.
Twisted Bakesters
Where? 3025 Lawrin Court, Chesapeake Beach
Twisted Bakesters is a gluten-free home bakery situated in Southern Maryland that whips up an array of delicious desserts. The bakery requests that orders be made at least one week in advance, so get your holiday menus finalized so you can move on to desserts! From cakes, specialty cupcakes, cookies, macarons, and even dairy-free options — Twisted Bakesters has you covered this holiday season. Enjoy delightful cakes, in flavors such as Oreo, carrot, caramel, and even a decadent German chocolate that is sure to impress. The bakery is happy to take custom orders, so set up a consultation to discuss what you’re looking for! In the dairy-free category, patrons can choose from snickerdoodle cookies, apple cider cakes, peanut butter cookies, macarons, and more.
Sweet Hearts Patisserie
Where? 1410 Forest Drive, Annapolis
At Sweet Hearts Patisserie, everything is crafted from scratch using high-quality ingredients. The patisserie takes advantage of European traditions, such as using real butter, fresh cream and eggs, as well as high-quality European chocolate and fresh, seasonal local produce. Invite your guests to taste the difference this holiday season, with current menu features including the chocolate peppermint cupcakes, the creme brûlée macarons, and even beautifully adorned yule log cakes for the month of December. December petit four flavors include triple chocolate, strawberry champagne, mint chocolate, and chocolate cherry praline. 2024 holiday specials include the bourbon pecan tart, the pistachio cake, and special holiday cake designs. Gift basket options range from the Holiday Treat Basket with 2 petit fours, 6 macarons, a sugar cookie, and a cake pop to the Holiday Deluxe Basket with 4 petit fours, 6 macarons, 2 cake pops, toffee shortbreads, French jam, and a holiday tea tin. The last day for orders is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17th.
Stella’s Bakery
Where? 11510 Rockville Pike Drive, Rockville
Stella’s Bakery is hailed as one of the finest European pastry shops in the Washington Metropolitan area, so make sure to stop by this holiday season for an array of delicious desserts. The menu features a wide variety of goodies using ingredients such as natural sugars, fresh eggs, fresh fruit, nuts, real butter, and the finest flours. Everything is made fresh every day and the pastry selection represents a diverse selection of European and Mediterranean regional specialties from breads, fine chocolates, cookies, cakes, and tarts. The menu at Stella’s Bakery includes mousse cakes in flavors like dark chocolate, white chocolate, tiramisu, and Grand Marnier. The bakery is open for regular store hours on Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Stella’s is closed on Sundays and Mondays — so make sure to get your dessert fix beforehand!
Walls Bakery
Where? 2260 Old Washington Road, Waldorf
Walls Bakery was first established in 1968 and has gone on to become infamous in the region for its chocolate éclair and other scrumptious scratch-made treats that have customers coming back for more. Whether you enjoy putting out the “Bobby Walls’ famous Christmas Fruitcake” when you have people over during the holidays or you want to surprise your guests with a delicious chocolate gingerbread cake or an assortment of pastries that will make you the host with the most – Walls Bakery has it all! Additional treats at the bakery include donuts, cupcakes, cookies, scones, and various savory options.
Bakehouse
Where? 69 South Market Street, Frederick
Frederick’s Bakehouse is your one-stop shop for all of your holiday baked goods and dessert needs. The December menu features an array of croissants, with sweet variations including chocolate and almond, as well as a hot cocoa cruffin! Cookie flavors include the classic chocolate chip, as well as a seasonal gingerbread molasses iteration. Cakes and pies include eggnog cheesecake and gingerbread spice cake slices and of course — the choices don’t end there! Additional pastry options include cardamom coffee cake, cranberry orange scones, chocolate salted caramel tarts, and peppermint bark brownies. As the holiday season is in full swing, the bakery is no longer accepting new cake and pastry orders for the remainder of the year. Swing by the Bakehouse for pastries starting at 8:00 AM Thursday through Sunday to get your fix of tasty sweets and freshly baked goods.
AppleCore’s Bake Shoppe
Where? 9693 Gerwig Lane F, Columbia
AppleCore’s Bake Shoppe is passionate about breaking up the monotony of your after-dinner dessert options. From sweet potato cheesecake to gooey chocolate chip cookies and Oreo cheesecake — there’s always something new and exciting to try. Best sellers on the menu include the vegan coquito rum bread pudding and the gluten-free sweet potato cake. The Assorted Holiday Cheesecake Box is a fan favorite, as is the Holiday Cookie Box featuring 12 cookies from four varieties. Just can’t seem to decide? Go with the Assorted Holiday Treat Box instead and you can try a little bit of everything. Indulge with banana pudding, pistachio cardamom cheesecake, or the deliciously moist carrot cake this holiday season!
Kneaded Baking Co
Where? 22699 Washington Street, Leonardtown
From the moment you walk into Kneaded Baking Co, you’ll be greeted by the enticing sights and smells of the bakery display. Peruse the various treats before you decide what’s going home with you! No judgment if you sneak a bite or two before leaving the bakery. The menu features a variety of tasty bites and decadent treats that make for the perfect complement to the holiday season, such as chocolate kouign-amanns, blueberry financiers, cinnamon rolls, fruit tarts, macarons, shortbread cookies, and even the all-time favorite chocolate chip cookies! You can also order cakes baked with the finest ingredients, resulting in a delightful texture and to-die-for flavor that will leave your family and friends raving for more!
The Best Bakeries in Washington, D.C. for Holiday Desserts
Washington, D.C. has a range of delicious holiday desserts for your Christmas celebrations! From Levain Bakery’s iconic 6 ounce cookies to delicious cakes and cupcakes from The CakeRoom, you can leave dessert to the professionals this holiday season!
Levain Bakery
Where? 3131 M Street NW
Levain Bakery whips up their crispy, chewy, soft, and melty cookies fresh every day. The cookies have been handmade daily in NYC since 1995 and have since come to delight the masses in Washington, D.C. The bakery also ships same-day, so cookies will arrive ready to enjoy or reheat for that perfectly gooey center. The signature cookie assortment includes chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and dark chocolate peanut butter chip. Levain Bakery is happy to announce that the dark chocolate peppermint cookie is back for the holiday season! This festive cookie is ooey-gooey and perfect for those who want to sink their teeth into rich chocolate indulgence. These cookies are only available for a limited time so grab yours while they’re available!
The CakeRoom
Where? 2006 18th Street NW
If you’re looking for a beautiful holiday cake or custom cupcakes, look no further than The CakeRoom! You can also indulge in cheesecakes, Middle Eastern desserts, pies, bars, and squares like the apple bars with browned butter frosting and the apricot cream cheese streusel bars. The cookie offering includes cappuccino cookies, death by chocolate cookies, chocolate chip, and even cookie dough to go! The CakeRoom needs 48 hours of advance notice to fulfill online orders. Sometimes, the bakery can accommodate last-minute requests if they have a few cakes on standby but your flavor and design options will be limited. The CakeRoom offers delivery services for an additional charge. They also make vegan chocolate cakes and cupcakes, as well as gluten-free selections like the flourless chocolate torte and carrot cake cupcakes and cake.
Firehook Bakery
Where? 1909 Q Street NW
Firehook Bakery has you covered this holiday season, from warm pecan pies to seasonally decorated cupcakes — you can leave the desserts to this local bakery. The menu features Firehook’s classic, award-winning fudge brownies that are baked from scratch and special custom orders that you can delight your holiday guests with. Order cake cups from seasonal cake flavors, as well as classic pies and fresh fruit tarts that make for a show-stopping centerpiece on any dessert table. Wake up this holiday season to a cinnamon roll tray with 6 cinnamon rolls with scratch-made dough, fragrant cinnamon filling, and homemade cream cheese icing or a cinnamon raisin swirl tray. Firehook also sells delicious freshly baked scones and muffins.
The Best Bakeries in Northern Virginia for Holiday Desserts
Want to visit some of the best bakeries around Northern Virginia this holiday season? Pick up desserts, pastries, and more from these delicious local spots!
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
Where? 2150 North Culpeper Street, Arlington
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe is a traditional German bakery and cafe, meaning you can find an assortment of delicious treats here that you won’t find anywhere else. From 6-inch cakes with beautiful decorations and French pastries like eclairs, napoleons, and assorted danishes — there’s always something delicious to sample at the bakery. Pick up assorted donuts or muffins for breakfast or treat your holiday guests to desserts like cupcakes, cookies, or petit fours. The menu even features pies, such as deep-dish blueberry pie, pecan pie, peach pie, rhubarb pie, and more! Whatever sweet treat you’re craving, you can find something to indulge your taste buds at Heidelberg this holiday season! If you’re ordering online, please provide 72 hours notice.
Tous les Jours Bakery & Cafe
Where? 4243 John Marr Drive, Annandale
If you’ve never experienced the French Asian fusion baked goods at Tous les Jours, make this holiday season the opportunity to wow your friends and family! All goods at the bakery are baked fresh every day, with a commitment to using only the finest ingredients. The delicious treats are known for their unique flavors and surprisingly light texture. Order one of the featured cakes as a centerpiece on your Christmas dessert table, such as the Cloud Cake or the Blueberry Yogurt Cake. The roll cakes make for the perfect gift and the recipient will love slicing into the light and airy dessert when they get home! You can also purchase desserts by the piece, such as the butter Madeleine, the sliced sweet potato mousse, and a range of macarons in flavors like salted caramel, pistachio, blueberry lavender, and birthday cake. Mix and match your treats and surprise your family this holiday season with an entirely new dessert tradition for Christmastime!
Pastry Xpo Cafe
Where? 8190 Strawberry Lane #6, Falls Church
Pastry Xpo Cafe has been proud to serve high-quality pastries since 1989, including fine French and Lebanese creations. Some of the most ordered items include red velvet cupcakes, coconut mango cheesecake, the trio chocolate terrine, and the decadent chocolate fudge cupcake topped with smooth fudge icing and adorned with chocolate shavings and chocolate pearls. Breakfast pastries that make for the perfect sweet treat on a cozy holiday morning include the banana almond bread that’s perfectly moist with crunchy almond slices baked into each slice. Individual pastry options feature the espresso truffle soufflé, the coconut orange blossom cake, and the creme brûlée that’s perfectly smooth and topped with a caramelized sugar crust and garnished with fresh berries. Don’t skip the walnut dacquoise either, which will delight guests this holiday season both visually and through their taste buds.
Alexandria Pastry Shop
Where? 3690 King Street H, Alexandria
Check out some of the most popular items on the menu at Alexandria Pastry Shop, such as the fruit Bavarian cake with vanilla cream layered between vanilla-soaked sponge cake, wrapped with almond ladyfingers, and topped with fresh rows of fruit. The mango and guava mousse cake is a showstopper and makes the perfect addition to the dessert table with pureed mangos and guava mousse between two layers of yellow sponge cake. You can also opt for an assortment of French pastries, such as fruit tarts, cream puffs, lemon bars, napoleons, Christmas macarons, or opera cakes. If you love all things chocolate, try the chocolate mousse cake with praline or the hazelnut chocolate mousse cake adorned with a Santa decoration to signify the season. The pastry shop also sells cake by the slice if you want a single serving or you want to mix and match flavors when you just can’t decide.
Indulge in Decadent Desserts this Holiday Season in the DMV!
With so many sweet options to choose from — how do you decide? Check out your local bakery offerings and you’re sure to be delighted by the array of seasonal treats and classic desserts that they can whip up for you and your guests this Christmas season. Whether you want something traditional like a pecan pie or you want to peruse a selection of single-serving treats, these DMV area bakeries have everything you could possibly want!