I hope everyone gets to experience Christmas time in New York City at least three times in their lives. It's by far my favorite time to live here – from the day after Thanksgiving until that (surprisingly very tiny) ball drops on New Years Eve/Day, the holiday spirit runs strong. The streetlights are decorated, every window sports a tree, Michael Bublé/Mariah Carey come out of hibernation, and Union Square becomes bearable thanks to the annual holiday market.
NYC eateries also get into the holiday spirit by churning out delicious sweets to keep you feeling merry and bright – from Jewish sufganiyots to Italian struffoli. I mean, we had to come up with some way to deal with the even greater influx of tourists.
Note: This is just an early list! Keep your eye out on the various NYC-foodie Instagrams to see all of the holiday happenings being whipped up.
My Kitchen
Yeah I'm starting the list with shameless self-promotion to inspire you to get in the kitchen. Take the time this holiday season to make Christmas cookies, eggnog madeleines, peppermint bark, or whatever tastes like the holidays to you. Put on some Andy Williams and get to prancin'! (Homemade gifts are always the move.)
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Here we go again with the Baking King of NYC, making the absolutely cutest treats to remind us that winter is here. Blizzard here is two towering cream puffs stuffed with brown butter ganache and caramelized apples. This is just one of the treats he has crafted – check out the shops for more!
Maman
Cookies and milk aren't just for Santa, silly. Maman has some seriously delicious pastries, so get your hands on them before someone else does (*achem* Santa.)
Four & Twenty Blackbirds
Pie is by far one of my favorite desserts, and I'm not sure why I have yet to have one here in NYC. Normally when I hear people say they're "grabbing a slice," it's referring to pizza, but why don't we change the vernacular to include this eggnog beauty?
Doughnut Plant
Okay so doughnuts are my all time favorite confection (sorry, pie) and Doughnut Plant always takes care of my fried doughy needs. They take decorative doughnuts to a whole new level, so get your hands on one (or a box) and feel merry and bright.
The Baking Bean
The Baking Bean is located in Brooklyn, but head to Urbanspace's Holiday Market at Columbus Circle to try her amazing hot chocolate, marshmallows, cookies, and giant s'mores.
Breads Bakery
Sufganiyot are kind of like a doughnut, kind of like an Italian zeppole or bomboloni, but they're jelly-filled and Jewish and only eaten at Christmastime. Breads Bakery, besides making the best babka, also makes the best sufganiyot. They fill there's with a thick dulce de leche, Nutella, lemon cream, and the traditional strawberry.
Oddfellows
Oddfellows might be one of my favorite ice cream shops ever. I go to the East Village location so much, they know me there. They always have the most interesting and innovative flavors, like Bourbon Eggnog, German Black Chocolate Cake, and Santa's Milk & Cookies.
Schmackary's
More cookies! Because who doesn't love some Christmas cookies? Get your iced cookie needs filled at Schmackary's!
Doughnut Project
More doughnuts to help get you ready for hibernation. Just can't get enough of NYC's most notable dessert.
Listen, even just get yourself a cup of Dunkin' hot chocolate (the best hot chocolate in my opinion) and a frosted doughnut with red and green sprinkles – just do something to celebrate (barely) surviving finals. You can do it, as long as you're merrily sedated with copious amounts of sugary treats.