The holidays are the time to indulge in sweet traditions and share a little cheer with loved ones. From decadent artisan chocolates and nostalgic fruitcakes to decorated cookies, buttery pralines, and locally crafted confections, Houston is brimming with delightful treats to gift—or enjoy yourself. Here’s your guide to spreading joy with Houston’s best holiday sweets.
Araya Artisan Chocolate, 1141 Uptown Park
Made with first-rate cacao from Venezuela, these fine chocolates are bold, decadent, and luxuriously presented, making a box the perfect gift for the holiday season. Other artisan treats include macarons and chocolate-covered fruits and nuts.
Backstreet Cafe, 1103 South Shepherd
Backstreet Cafe vows to change your mind about gifting Fruitcake this holiday. The re-imagined classic is a scratchmade cake baked in small batches by James Beard-recognized pastry chef Ruben Ortega, rocking toasted Texas pecans, warm spices like cinnamon, ginger and allspice, and fresh and dried fruits soaked in brandy. Cost is $39 plus tax, and shipping is additional for online orders.
Bar Bludorn, 9061 Gaylord
This December, Bar Bludorn offers a Chocolate Whiskey Bûche De Noël (Yule Log), crafted by pastry chef Marie Riddle and serving 6-10 people for $65. Orders must be placed 48 hours in advance for pick-up at Bar Bludorn.
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith
Brennan’s offers its iconic New Orleans-style soft pralines ($24.99.) for online order and delivery; or call 713-522-9711.
Cacao & Cardamom Chocolatier, 5000 Westheimer
The luxury chocolatier has beautifully designed holiday gift boxes, featuring colorful chocolate bonbons inspired by cherished holiday flavors; petite Nutcracker Sampler Boxes with a five-piece collection; and more.
CASE Chocolates, 3401 Harrisburg
This chocolate shop and speakeasy is known for gourmet liquor-filled chocolates, from the fan favorite Carajillo filled with espresso and Licor 43 to chocolates kissed with bourbon, mezcal, and cognac.
Dessert Gallery, 3600 Kirby
Confetti Cake Balls, Peanut Butter Truffles, M&M Pretzels, Christmas and Hanukkah Butter Cookies, and Lemon Squares, Monkey Bars, Pecan Pie Bars, and the World’s Best Brownie Bars are just some of the sweet treats you can snag this holiday season.
El Bolillo Bakery, multiple locations
Sweeten your holiday season with El Bolillo’s Peppermint Tres Leches, Christmas Conchas, Champurrado and more. Order through December 24.
Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park
Chef Philippe Verpiand is continuing a French holiday tradition by making his own raspberry milk chocolate truffles for Christmas, available forr $18 plus tax for a dozen as supplies last. To order, call 832-668-5808 or ask for them while visiting the restaurant.
Josephine’s, 318 Gray
Josephine’s Holiday Bake Sale menu features Banana Pudding Pie ($40), Grandma’s Cream Cheese Pound Cake Loaf ($18), Lisa’s Cheese Crackers ($8) and Barq’s Peanut Pie ($45).
The Kirby Group: Verde Garden, Bayou Heights Bier Garten, Heights Bier Garten, and Wooster’s Garden
The Aged Eggnog to-go is back at Verde Garden, Bayou Heights Bier Garten, Heights Bier Garten and Wooster’s Garden, available now through Christmas for $49 plus tax per bottle. The Houston holiday favorite serves five, five-ounce pours and is made with Bourbon, Jamaican Rum, Cognac, Milk, Cream, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Egg and Cane Sugar. Houstonians can call, email or direct message any location on Instagram to place an order.
Kolache Shoppe, multiple locations
During the holidays, Kolache Shoppe turns its buttery cinnamon rolls into loaves, making a perfect gift for hosts, colleagues and friends. Available December 1, place orders with 48-hour notice online or via email for pick up at your preferred location. Go for the Cinnamon Roll with cinnamon sugar swirl and icing glaze or the Poppy-Pecan Roll featuring poppyseed, toasted pecan swirl and icing glaze.
Mostly Chocolate, 1050 North Post Oak
The handcrafted artisanal chocolatier offers gifts for fans of all things sweet, with a seasonal favorite Holiday Gift Box ($38) available in Hanukkah and Christmas packaging featuring new wintery flavors like Almond Coconut Crunch, Gingerbread, Peppermint and Spiced Eggnog; Hot Chocolate Snowballs filled with hot cacao and mini-marshmallows will warm up on the coldest days; Jingle Bell and Hanukkah Popcorn with imported milk chocolate drizzle, savory toffee and M&Ms; and sensations like the Crispy Knafeh Bars, Mostly Chocolate’s version of the viral Dubai bars.
Phoenicia Specialty Foods, 1001 Austin, 12141 Westheimer
Baklava Gift Boxes, Peppermint Bark, and Gingerbread House Decorating Kits are just some of the goodies you can find at Phoenicia this holiday season.
Sprinkles, multiple locations
The cupcake shop is offering a Holiday Mini Dozen and Sampler 3-Pack, featuring bite-sized delights in holiday flavors including Red Velvet, Chocolate Peppermint and Gingerbread; plus the limited-edition Joy Dozen featuring three Chocolate Peppermint, three Red Velvet, three Christmas Cookie and three Gingerbread cupcakes a choice of holiday gift wrap; and limited-edition Seasonal Dozen or 6-Count featuring holiday bestsellers with gift wrap. All gifts will be baking from December 2–25.
URBE, 1101 Uptown Park
The Mexican street food favorite will feature Christmas conchas this holiday season, available Fridays and Saturdays in December and also on Christmas Eve. Cost is $4 plus tax each, $19 for a half-dozen or $36 per dozen, while supplies last. Large quantities can be ordered with a 24-hour advance notice by calling 713-726-8273.
Winfield’s Chocolate Bar, multiple locations
A rebrand fo the iconic Chocolate Bar, this local sweet shop specializes in chocolate-focused cakes, cookies, ice creams, and sweet treats, from Texas-made truffles and caramels to Holiday Crunch to Texas Frito Brittle.
Xochi, 1777 Walker
Chocolate lovers will love the set of eight handmade chocolates from Xochi. Offered in four unique flavors, the Oaxacan-inspired delights start with cacao beans roasted and ground in-house that get blended with sugar and cinnamon to make a truly great chocolate. Cost is $28 plus tax and shipping, and the treats can also be ordered in advance for pick-up at Xochi.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
