Top 5: New York City Bakeries (Holiday Edition)

Ah yes, the holidays. Otherwise known as those six weeks in November and December when you're tempted to hide your scale and eat all of the things! If you and yours have a passion for holiday sweets, but your baking skills aren't up to snuff, have no fear. We've dutiful researched the top five bakeries in New York City for your holiday pastry needs. It was tough work, but someone had to do it!

 

Baked

Baked — Tribeca, Manhattan and Red Hook, Brooklyn (Photo via adlabblog.com)

Started by two entrepreneurs with more passion than experience, Baked is an unlikely New York City success story. Launched in Red Hook in 2005 with a Tribeca shop that followed in 2014, Baked offers an exciting array of edibles that are feast for the eyes and taste buds. For the holidays, don't miss the Stump Noel, a fanciful take on a traditional yule log concocted from chocolate sponge cake, vanilla and chocolate frosting and fondant toadstools. The refreshing Wintermint cake, meanwhile, is a chocolate layer cake with peppermint chocolate ganache and vanilla peppermint buttercream. Got an avid chef on your holiday gift list? Don't miss the team's four great cookbooks, chockfull of to-die-for dessert recipes.

 

Four & Twenty Blackbirds

Four & Twenty Blackbirds — Sold at locations throughout Brooklyn (Photos via cupofjo.com)

Founded in 2009 by South Dakota sisters Melissa and Emily Elsen, Four & Twenty Blackbirds has earned a serious reputation for crafting some of the most delicious and most adventurous pies in the city. For traditional holiday flavors, try the Salted Caramel Apple, Brown Butter Pumpkin or Bittersweet Chocolate Pecan, or kick that holiday menu up a notch with a Hojicha green tea or Matcha custard pie. Want to take the stress out of your own p ie making? Four & Twenty Blackbirds sells pre-made, all-butter frozen pie crusts and a recipe book that looks good enough to eat.

 

Levain Bakery

Levain Bakery — Upper West Side and Harlem, Manhattan (Photo via foodnext.us)

Home to arguably the best chocolate chip cookies in New York City, Levain Bakery also offers a delectable selection of buns, muffins and breads sure to be welcomed at any of your holiday destinations. Curry favor with overnight hosts by arming yourself with a dozen of their walnut or raisin sticky buns, or wrap up a few of their great loaves — like pumpkin ginger spice or lemon cake — for great on-the-go hostess handouts. The smart cookies at Levain also offer gift cards and delivery of cookie gift boxes by UPS or messenger, making them a delicious option for holiday gift-giving as well.

 

Two Little Red Hens

Two Little Red Hens — 1652 Second Ave. at 86th Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan (Photo via freefoodboston.wordpress.com)

Known as THE Upper East Side destination for phenomenal gingerbread, this delightfully tiny shop also offers an assortment of cakes, cupcakes and pies perfect for your holiday sweet tooth. Those who love pumpkin will want to check out the mouthwatering pumpkin cheesecake or the Pumpkin Harvest cake with apricot pumpkin cream cheese frosting decorated with buttercream fall leaves. Pies include fall favorites like pumpkin, apple and pecan, while the lemon gingerbread cupcakes are the perfect combination of sweet and tart.

 

Cocoa Bakery

Cocoa Bakery — 275 Grand Street, Jersey City (Photo via yelp.com)

Created by Nobu Pastry Chef Jessica Isaacs, Cocoa Bakery offers amazing cakes, cookies and pastries for any occasion. Holiday favorites include pumpkin whoopie pies, iced Christmas cookies, gingerbread, classic Buche de Noel yule logs, wreath cakes and delicious pies in sweet potato, pumpkin and pecan varieties. Need a break from the holiday hullaballoo? Enjoy a decadent hot chocolate and a flaky cream puff in this cozy Van Vorst Park neighborhood destination.

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