If there was ever a year to stuff yourself silly with sweets, this is the one. Go for broke: Eat the cookies, the pie, the ice cream. Send a cake to family and friends you can’t visit with for the holiday — it will make them smile almost as much as laughing with you in person. Here’s where to pick up (or order for delivery) some of the best holiday treats around DTLA and beyond.
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Cakes + Cupcakes
Downtown is home to some of the best bakeries in the greater Los Angeles area, each specializing in something special. At Big Man Bakes, get little wee cupcakes to giant XL-size ones in flavors like classic red velvet — ready-made for any holiday table — to daily specials like strawberry, Oreo, and some topped with peanut butter cups. There’s a Sprinkles right here in the South Park neighborhood, located at the FIGat7th complex. Holiday cupcake flavors include Christmas cookie, gingerbread, and chocolate peppermint. Order ahead for easy pickup. For cakes and French patisserie, Pitchoun has beautiful yule logs mini mousse cakes, chocolate ornaments, cinnamon stars and so much more.
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Festive Pies
Pie is not for Thanksgiving alone. You have to pay attention to Fat + Flour on Instagram to see what baker Nicole Rucker is whipping up daily. Flavors run the gamut, from traditional apple crumble and key lime, to chocolate chess, kombucha caramel, and holiday-happy pumpkin. Orders must be placed in advance for whole pie pickups, but stop by the Grand Central Market stall and you can get a slice or two of whatever’s available (PS: They’re all good). Order things like salted caramel pecan, cardamom cherry, or earl grey pie at The Pie Hole in the Arts District. Better yet — get the five-slice sampler. Laroolou, a pie newcomer based in Chinatown, has incredible pie flavors like SOB (Son of a Biscoff), cranberry cheer, coquito cream, and Sir Salted Earl. Order individual pies for pickup, or get the sampler of five to try them all.
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Special Seasonal Ice Creams
The beauty of a Southern California holiday is being able to eat ice cream outside in the sunshine — or inside standing at the kitchen counter. It all works. Salt & Straw is known for creating unique flavors for its rotating monthly menu, and this year is no different. There’s everything from spiked eggnog to gingerbread. The Great Cookie Swap is literally like a tin of cookies — jammy thumbprints, chocolate almond bark, sugar cookies and sprinkles — in every pint. Order ahead and pickup at the Arts District (or any) location, or have shipped anywhere in Los Angeles and the country. In addition to the wonderful flavors at Gelateria Uli in the Historic Core, there are gorgeous ice cream yule logs, in flavors like mulled apple and chocolate sorbet, that will make any table sing. Don’t forget McConnell’s in Grand Central Market, whose holiday menu includes Reindeer Tracks — rich chocolate ice cream with peppermint candy and chocolate chunks. Get a scoop at the counter or order pints to be shipped locally and nationally.
Featured photo by Sprinkles Cupcakes