Whether you want to gift the host a special treat or bring holiday eats for the party to share, here are 5 Awesomely Delicious Local Treats to Bring to Your Next Holiday celebration:
Exotic Artisan Chocolates Where to get them: Cocao & Cardamom, 5000 Westheimer
These luxury artisan chocolates will make any party goer swoon. Get them in unexpected flavors like Szechuan peppercorn, coco curry, and five spice praline. Less daring chocolate lovers will go nuts for the flavors like smores -- made with housemade roasted marshmallow, milk chocolate ganache and graham cracker crumbs; or Nutella banana. Boxes starting at $20.
Gourmet Holiday Scones Where to get them: Sparrow Bar + Cookshop, 3701 Travis
At $6 per order, chef Monica Pope's scone dough is available in flavors such as sour cherry pecan, gruyere chive, and lavender fig. Each ball of dough yields 10-15 small scones that will make the perfect bite-sized appetizers. And hey, people may even think you made them yourself. Order at least four days in advance from now through the end of the month.
A Growler of Local Brew Where to get it: Multiple locations
Pick up a growler of your favorite craft beer at places like Hay Merchant, The Petrol Station, Whole Foods, Nobi Public House, Growlers Beer & Wine, Premium Draught, and Guru Burger & Crepes, to name a few.
Mini Knish & Latkes Where to get them: Kenny & Ziggy's, 2327 Post Oak
A tray of miniature Hanukkah favorites -- think latkes, potato knishes, kasha knishes, spinach knishes, and zucchini-carrot pancakes -- is just $12/dozen (minimum order of two dozen). If you've ever made latkes, you'd know this beats out covering yourself and your kitchen in grease before a party. Orders are required to be placed at least 24 hours in advance.
Egg Nog and Gingerbread Cupcakes Where to find them: Crave Cupcakes, 5600 Kirby or 1151 Uptown Park
Everybody loves a good cupcake, especially when they are in flavors like eggnog with nutmeg buttercream; gingerbread with cream cheese frosting; or vanilla and dark chocolate Hanukkah cupcakes (available in stores and online from December 16 - 24). An assorted box of a dozen minis ($24) includes a combo of eggnog, gingerbread, dark chocolate candy cane, and red velvet cupcakes. Of course, you can also bring a few of the big guys ($3.75/cupcake or $42/dozen). CRAVE will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
