Where to Source Christmas Sweets and Cakes in Beijing
Nowadays, Beijing isn't short of places dishing out quality sweets and baked goods specially for the Christmas season. We've rounded up a few of our favorites, from traditional European-style bakeries, to more elaborate, modern treats.
You'll be as sweet as the sugar plum fairy by the time you get through all these.
Classic Choice: Kempi Deli
Winner of Best Cakes, Cookies, and Pastries in the 2015 the Beijinger Reader Restaurant Awards, every year Kempi Deli has a wide range of Christmas treats, many with an (understandable) slight German twist. You'll find chocolate and marzipan figurines, gingerbread houses, stollen, traditional and modern Christmas cakes, and a wide variety of European Christmas cookies. Word to the wise: pastries, bakeries, salads, and sandwiches are 50 percent off after 9pm.
French Fancies: Comptoirs de France
With over 40 different Christmas products on offer, Comptoirs de France has something for everyone, including chocolate Santas, gingerbread houses, mince pies, and yule logs. They even have traditional French desserts such as the galette de rois, a flaky puff pastry stuffed with almond frangipane, eaten at epiphany (Jan 6).
Most Innovative: Pantry's Best Christmas Surprise Cake
Local bakery Pantry's Best have come up with some truly fabulous festive cakes this Christmas. From they outside, they just look like ordinary frosted cakes, but once you cut into them, they reveal either a cute snowman or a colorful Christmas tree (see above). The Christmas tree is matcha cream cheese inside a red velvet cake, while the snowman is made of different flavors of mousse. Order online or through their WeChat Pantrysbest.
Most Beautiful: Sweet Tart Painted Christmas Cookies
Sweet Tart founder Britt Langford’s hand-painted cookies are inspired by time spent painting watercolors with her artist father growing up. The limited-edition Christmas cookies are a true delight (and not to mention, delicious) – almost too good to eat. Order details on their website.
Modern Twist: Berko's Mistletoe Cupcake Wreath
Since finding real mistletoe is a challenge in Beijing, why not invite the one you love to kiss under Berko's mistletoe cupcake wreath, decorated with intense green icing. Berko's cupcakes are more expensive than you might be used to, but you're paying for high-quality imported ingredients like French butter and Tahitian vanilla. Make this the centerpiece at your holiday party and try to convince people you made it yourself...
More stories by this author here.
Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
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Photos courtesy of Comptoirs de France, Pantry's Best, Sweet Tart, Berko
