Holiday Specialties from Hip LA Bakeries
In a city where the cupcake-to-human ratio is currently 5 to 1, there still exists a craving for more traditional holiday treats. In response to this temporary demand for gingerbread, LA's trendiest bakeries are offering a selection of time-honored Christmas desserts magically enhanced by on-site pastry chefs, who have the ability to turn the barely edible into mouthwatering ambrosia. Even the despised fruitcake can be a welcome addition to the menu, consistent with the baker's mantra that there are no bad desserts, only bad recipes. While the distribution of upscale bakeries does tend to skew west, the quality of these products is worth the drive and most of the treats can be scrutinized ahead of time on the bakery's website.
Susina Bakery
7122 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
This month, the beautiful Art Nouveau bakery on Beverly is churning out Mixed Berry Brioche Pudding Log, Quince Tart with Vanilla Hazelnut Crumbles, and a Cranberry Tart … decorated with the aforementioned crumbles. Better yet, they stay open until 11pm every night, so you can wait until the bitter end to fling yourself upon pastry chef and owner Jenna Turner and beg for leftovers. [link]
Sprinkles Cupcakes
9635 Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
[link]
Rockenwagner Bakery
12835 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Keeping true to his Teutonic origins, Hans Rockenwagner has created a rich holiday stollen--a yeasty German Xmas cake-- that you'd actually want to eat, packed with nuts, … spices & dried fruit. His bakery, located between Lincoln and Centinela, also sells cute holiday cookie gift bags filled with shortbread, hazelnut macaroons and madeleines. [link]
Jin Patisserie
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
A great website to check out when you're stoned, this exquisite Asian French bakery is taking a stab at yule logs and conical Xmas trees covered in chocolate, using … minimalist designs that will delight any student of architecture. Not cheap; the logs run from $60 to $100, but the presentation is dazzling. [link]
