The Best Holiday Cookies In NYC
Santa isn't the only person itching for some holiday cookies. Stop by one of these bakeries and get your sweet craving satisfied. By Carly Petrone.
From ornaments and snowmen to snowflakes and sweaters, Amy's Cookies has a fun holiday shaped treat for everyone to enjoy. Going to a party? Grab the Holiday Gift Tin that's filled with all kind of goodies like sparkling chocolate stars, gingerbread boys and girls, and pecan butterballs. If sugar cookies are more your thing make sure to taste the adorable holiday party animals or colorful box of ice skating related cookies. Gift boxes start at $48 and go up from there. Individual cookies start at $5.95. Check website for more details.
Dominique Ansel has done it again. He has created two amazingly delicious holiday treats for his loyal customers. First, try one of the four new Cookie Shot flavors (with equally as decadent milks) including Gingersnap Cookie Shot with egg nog milk, Snickerdoodle Cookie Shot with peppermint milk, Peanut Butter Cookie Shot with chocolate milk, and the Oatmeal Cranberry Cookie Shot with honey milk. Set is $28. If you can handle something richer, we suggest ordering the "Truffle" Cookie Dough Gift Set ($15.50). Bake the Valrhona chocolate-based cookies at home by ordering the pre-portioned dough online. We're still counting down the days until we can try next year's Cronut – Caramelized Malt and Milk Chocolate.
Walking through Chelsea Market, it's pretty hard not to notice the beautifully decorated cookies at Eleni's. This nut-free bakery sells creative cookie gift sets based on everything from the Nutcracker to New York City itself! Nibble on a candy cane or take a bite out of a perfectly hand decorated dreidel. If you're looking for something fun to bring into the office in the new year, order one of their custom corporate gift sets ($24.50-$65) – you can even add your company logo onto one of the cookies. Who's going to say no to that?
Chef Francoise Payard is whipping up boxes of seasonal pumpkin macaroons at Payard Patisserie. Bite into the legendary confection that is both airy and crunchy at the same time. If you're in the mood for something chocolately, try the Large Flourless Cookies that are fudgey (without any butter!) and filled with fresh walnuts, giving it a rich nutty flavor. Macaroons come in boxes of 12 pieces for $30 or 35 pieces for $70; Large Flourless Cookies come in boxes of 12 for $39.
It's a chocolate Christmas at Jacques Torres! Come in for your chocolate fix and nibble on Pretzel Mint Bark, Jacques World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies, or try our favorite, the hollow milk, dark, or white chocolate Snowman (okay, technically not a cookie but it's too adorable not to mention). Pair it with their signature hot chocolate and you probably won't have another chocolate craving for a while.
Milk & Cookies in Greenwich Village is your go-to spot for ice cream sandwiches. Try the Grasshopper: Chocolate-Mint Cookie with Fresh Mint Ice Cream or take a chance with the Sugar Bomb: Sugar Cookie with the ice cream flavor of the week. If you really can't make up your mind, design your own dough to go for $12.50/pint (makes about a dozen cookies) or grab a fresh batch of 12 cookies straight off the baking racks for $28. Surprise Santa this year with a variety of cookies or just stick to the traditional chocolate chip. Either way, he'll be happy.
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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.