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List: Where to find locally-made desserts for the holidays
Whether you need a pumpkin pie for a holiday party, treats for friends at work or some baked goods to set out on the table Christmas morning, we've got you covered - no oven required. The seasonal pies, cakes and pastries at these locally-owned bakeries and cafes are delicious, and you can feel good about supporting small business owners in your community.
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RALEIGH, N.C. — Whether you need a pumpkin pie for a holiday party, treats for friends at work or some baked goods to set out on the table Christmas morning, we've got you covered - no oven required.
The seasonal pies, cakes and pastries at these locally-owned bakeries and cafes are delicious, and you can feel good about supporting small business owners in your community.
Pies and cakes
MB's Tasty Pastries - This is truly a hidden gem! Located behind Heritage Market at the corner of Burlington Mills and Forrestville roads in Wake Forest, this small shack holds some of the most delicious pies you will ever taste. Owner MaryBeth and her husband run the small shop Thursday through Sunday selling decadent pies like bourbon pecan, apple, lemon, chocolate cream and chocolate chess. We also recommend her lemon cookies!
Royal Cheesecake and Varieties - At their Durham storefront, the cheesecake flavors at Royal Cheesecake and Varieties will stop you in your tracks, and new this year is a white chocolate peppermint cheesecake and an egg nog pound cake. All their cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes and pie are made from scratch.
Sweet Traditions by LeAne - Over 40 cake flavors like cookie dough, Nutella, Milk and Cookies and more await you at this Wake Forest bakery, including some special holiday options.
Big Bundts - Try a decadent bundt cake, layer cake or holiday platter from this Durham staple. Flavors include holiday creations like Cranberry Wreath and Chocolate Peppermint, but you can also purchase layer cakes like gingerbread cake or a "Merry Christmas" red velvet cake.
Twisted Fork - We love their scratch made cakes and pies, especially the Tia Maria Cake. Other selections include Red Velvet Cake, Carrot Cake, Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Pumpkin Crunch Torte, Coconut Cake and Sour Cherry Pie.
Once In A Blue Moon Bakery & Cake - Blue Moon is a classic - it's been in downtown Cary for years, and anyone who has tasted these cakes can see why. The shop specializes in cakes of all flavors, but pies, pastries and cookies are served as well.
Main Street Cafe & Bakery - This is a restaurant, but it's also an outstanding baker and the perfect place to order specialty donuts, cakes and cupcakes. Apple fritters, apple cider donuts and red velvet cake are only a few examples of Main Street's holiday selection.
Scratch Bakery - Scratch in Durham is one-of-a-kind. We were hooked after we tried the chocolate donut muffins, but holiday treats this year include not-so-classic pies like buttermilk sweet potato and candied ginger cream, cinnamon bourbon buns and sweet potato biscuits, lemon chess pie, cranberry raspberry cream tart and more.
Breads, cookies and pastries
La Farm Bakery - Another Cary favorite, La Farm is known for its breads, pastries and breakfast items - the white chocolate croissant is amazing. For the holidays, the bakery is offering seasonal loaves like a fall harvest bread and pastries like apple strudel.
Great Harvest Bread Company - There are several of these around the Triangle, but we've visited this Cary location many times. We love the pumpkin chocolate chip bread, golden wheat cinnamon chip bread, whole grain cinnamon rolls and more.
lucettegrace - This charming breakfast, lunch and dinner cafe serves great coffee and baked goods, but they're cooking up something special for the holidays. Their holiday menu includes Buche de Noel cakes and a Christmas Brunch Box. Orders are due by Dec. 18.
Guglhupf Bakery, Patisserie & Cafe - This lovely Durham bakery, cafe and restaurant specializes is your destination for distinct baked goods this holiday season - strudels, tarts, cranberry pecan bread, pumpkin streusel coffee cake and more await you.
Anisette - This new Raleigh bakery is serving up some tasty treats for the holidays. We love their earl grey tea cake and vanilla meltaway cookies.
Gluten-free
JP's Pastry - JP's Pastry is one of the only certified gluten-free bakeries in the area, and they can bake almost anything you'd need for the holidays. Whether it's gluten-free bagels for breakfast or holiday cakes and pies, this is a great stop for people with dietary restrictions.
Are there any other local folks you like to order desserts from?
