As much as fruitcake is an undisputed staple of the holiday season, we think it’s time to branch out a little. Skip the love-it-or-hate-it aforementioned dessert this month and bite into one of these festive treats you can find around Calgary.
Crave Cupcakes Rum Eggnog Cupcake
A not too boozy rum-based cupcake topped with eggnog buttercream icing. Pairs perfectly with, well, a rum and eggnog. (1107 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-270-2728, cravecupcakes.ca, @craveYYC)
Edelweiss Village Marzipan Nougat Torte
This German-style dessert is layered with nougat cream and marzipan and topped with maraschino cherries. Perfect for any holiday get-together. (1921 20 Ave. N.W., 403-282-6600, edelweissimports.com)
Good Earth Cafe Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
Any edible manifestation of a London Fog drink gets a thumbs up from me. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies have specks of Earl Grey tea baked in for a deliciously subtle taste of bergamot. (1502 11 St. S.W., 403-228-9543, goodearthcafes.com)
Stollen is a traditional German fruit cake, which has a texture similar to bread. Photo by whitneyinchicago on Flickr.
Glamorgan Bakery Christmas Stollen
Snag a fresh loaf of this sweet bread, filled with raisins, candied cherries and almond paste to enjoy at home with your family, lightly toasted with a little spread of butter. (20-3919 Richmond Rd. S.W., 403-242-2800, glamorganbakery.com)
Kawa Espresso Piccola Cucina Amaretti
These little bags of Italian-style macarons, are sweet, almond-y and probably one of the best gluten-free cookies that you can find in the city. Great when dipped in a coffee on Christmas morning. (1333 8 St. S.W., 403-452-5233, kawacalgary.ca, @kawacalgary)
A Lady Bug Bakery and Cafe Christmas Yule Log
It’s not officially the holidays without a yule log on the table. Lady Bug offers up some delicious variations on this dessert classic, like Framboisine and a gluten-free version as well. (2132-10 Aspen Stone Blvd. S.W., 403-249-5530, ladybugandcafe.com)
Rustic Sourdough Bakery Cranberry Pecan Pound Cake
We all know it’s important to increase your cranberry intake during the holiday season. Try this sweet pound cake accented by tart cranberries and pecans. Santa would be proud. (1305 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-2113, rusticsourdoughbakery.com)
Yann Haute Patisserie Orange Blossom and Grand Marnier Macarons
Lose the sub-par orange-shaped chocolates this year and put a more refined, yet similar orange-chocolate flavour, in those stockings. These French treats are as beautiful as they are tasty. (329 23 Ave. S.W., 403-244-8091, yannboutique.com, @yannboutique)
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