Christmas is all about food, food and more food, and the month of December is undoubtedly the best time of year for indulging in festive desserts. At no time of year does the sweet stuff become more abundant and appealing, with so many traditional puddings making their annual appearance around this time. This year however, all those mince pies and Christmas puddings are getting a run for their money. From a deliciously seasonal mince pie hybrid to European Christmas inspired ice creams, here are 6 IDEAL Christmas sweets in London you simply must try.
MINCE PIE CROISSANT
What: When festive cheer meets quality French patisserie, magic happens. This all-butter croissant filled with rich, sweet mincemeat and dusted with icing sugar is the perfect grab-and-go snack whilst on the move, and makes for the ideal breakfast to wake up to on Christmas morning.
Where: Various Locations Across London
Website: www.paul-uk.com
CHRISTMAS BROWNIE BALLS
What: Bad Brownie is famous for selling indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate goodies that will make anyone smile. This year they’ve created some Christmas Brownie balls which you won’t be able to resist. Our favourite is the ‘Christmas Pudding’ – a pocket of brandy butter wrapped in spiced fruit brownie, covered in dark chocolate, white ganache and a cherry.
Where: You can buy these brownies ONLINE in the UK and at markets around London, including Maltby Street Market (Sat & Sun) and at Selfridges everyday.
Website: www.badbrownie.co.uk
MINCE PIE CHEESECAKE
What: Get your baubles + bubbles this festive season with an irresistibly Christmassy dessert. This indulgent and creamy cheesecake is a delicious alternative to the traditional festive sweet treat and is a thing of pure joy. If you fancy making it yourself you can! We persuaded the guys at Bar + Block to share the recipe for this gorgeous cheesecake here.
Where: Bar + Block, 26-30 York Way, Kings Cross, London N1 9AA
Website: www.barandblock.co.uk
CHRISTMAS DOUGHNUTS
What: The lovely people at Doughnut Time have created festive inspired doughnuts that taste as Christmassy as they look. Our favourite is the ‘Treat Yo’Elves doughnut’; A Nutella filled, chocolate glazed doughnut topped with dark chocolate flake, holiday sprinkle mix, miniature chocolate chip cookies and a milk bottle lolly, complete with a cheeky note for Santa. Ridiculously sweet and indulgent, Father Christmas can only wish to get one of these by the chimney.
Where: Doughnut Time, 96 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5E
Website: doughnuttime.co.uk
EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS ICE-CREAM
What: The guys at Gelupo are celebrating a pan-European Christmas (and what IDEAL likes to think of as two fingers up to Brexit) with their range of festive gelatos, embracing just some of the amazing flavours and food that Europe has to offer. Think Christmas Cake gelaton with pieces of rich fruitcake inspired by the UK. Panettone from Italy, Stollen flavoured Luxembourg and Advocaat from the Netherlands are just some of the exciting, festive flavours you can try.
Where: Gelupo, 7 Archer St, Soho, London W1D 7AU
Website: www.gelupo.com
CHRISTMAS MINCE PIE DOUGHNUT
What: With all the flavours of the traditional mince pie combined with Crossdown’s signature sourdough, this seasonally inspired doughnut is the sugar. They fill their mini dough bites with home-made fruit mincemeat before hand-dipping them in a brandy butter glaze and topping with a vanilla pie crust crumble. We wish we could eat this doughnut all year round – Father Christmas take note.
Where: Various Locations across London. Find a Crosstown near you here
Website: crosstowndoughnuts.com
P.S Christmas doughnuts are everywhere this December, another one we couldn’t leave off the list is Breadahead’s Christmas pudding doughnut which is topped with a gingerbread star and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Find it in Borough Market alongside other festive foodie treats.