There’s nothing quite like the aromas of cinnamon, spice and everything nice during the holidays. Thankfully, you can get your sweet tooth fix at these local bakeries and confectioners. From hand-crafted cakes and caramels to stand-in-line-worthy pan dulce, check out five Santa-approved bakeries in Tucson that’ll guarantee your spot on the nice list.
Holy Focaccia
IYKYK the beauty of Rachael Colsanto’s bakery, Holy Focaccia. No holy night would be complete without it. The goodies are not always the easiest to find, but the search is always worth it. You can order delicious treats, including classic panettone, Meyer lemon-olive oil cake and Venetian cake from the shop’s Instagram page. Holy Focaccia will also be making select appearances at holiday pop-ups in Tucson, including Pueblo Vida Brewing Company’s Holy Focaccia Bread + Beer pairing Dec. 21, with additional loaves available for purchase from 5 p .m. until sold out. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/holyfocaccia_.
La Estrella
Get ready to stand in line, because yes, these baked treats are that good. La Estrella’s is a family-owned bakery making handmade Mexican pastries since 1986. There are multiple locations in Tucson offering a variety of freshly baked goods, including pan dulce; concha, a seashell-shaped cookie; bandera, a cookie similar to shortbread; chamuco, a pastry made with sugar, wheat flour and cinnamon; cochito, a Mexican pig-shaped gingerbread; and oreja, a flaky slightly sweet and sticky pastry. Santa’s cookie plate will have never looked so good. For more information, visit www.laestrellabakeryincaz.com.
Monsoon Chocolate
What is it like tasting Monsoon Chocolate’s seasonal flavors? It’s as if Michelangelo made chocolates to make the herald angels sing. Award-winning Monsoon Chocolate offers bean-to-bar chocolate and confections at its cafe and market in Tucson, which is open daily. Order from the website for delivery nationwide. Holiday flavors include cherry-caramel cheesecake, peppermint bark, hazelnut praline, pine needle caramel, pomegranate-hibiscus caramel, cacao nib horchata and sugar plum caramel. For the ultimate sweet holiday treat, enjoy the special chocolate-peppermint cake, a sensational layering of chocolate cake, dark chocolate peppermint, ganache, white chocolate buttercream and bits of peppermint bark. For more information, visit monsoonchocolate.com
Village Bakehouse
From giant buttermilk cinnamon rolls to handmade pies, Village Bakehouse is a must-indulge bakery in Tucson. Owners John and Nancy McKearney wake up before dawn to deliver handmade artisanal baked goods that celebrate the sights, joys and aromas of a village kitchen. Whether you are craving custard, blackberry, bumbleberry, pumpkin-praline cheese or cranberry apple, Village Bakehouse has a pie for you. As for pastries, enjoy almond horns, rugelach, apricot bars, butter cookies and more. For more information, visit villagebakehouse.com.
Dedicated
Yum, yum, yum. Dedicated, a family-owned and -operated bakery and cafe in east-central Tucson, serves all the flavors of the season–and it is gluten-free! Choose from sweet and savory gluten-free treats, including vegan veggie quiche; gingerbread loaf; cinnamon pull-apart; cranberry mini scones with lemon drizzle; take-and-bake dinner rolls; and sourdough vegan stuffing mix with savory seasoning. Gluten-free cookies are available by the dozen, as well as a decorate-your-own gingerfriend cookie kit for Christmas. For more information, visit www.dedicatedgf.com.