Dec. 25, 2007 - Issue #636: The Swiftys
Get baked for the holiday season
I love spending time in the kitchen whipping up homemade treats, and I love the reaction that people have when they know I’ve taken the time to make something especially for them. I wasn’t quite ready to go from gift wrapping my own chocolate-covered pretzels to buying a box of Purdy’s chocolates, but I found a happy medium. There are several wonderful independent bakeries willing to make, bake and wrap baked treats for me.
On Saturday morning, I rose early with a mission to check out what some of the local bakeries in Edmonton have to offer. I’m not a chocolate lover, but the smell of fresh baked bread and the sight of delicate pastries bring an instant smile to my face. I feel like a kid in a candy shop as I peer through the glass at rows upon rows of cakes, tarts, and cookies.
I decided to start with one of Edmonton’s most famous bakeries: Bon Ton on 149th Street. Although it was a chilly run from the car to the shop, the heat from the ovens inside instantly warmed me. As I wandered, I found a number of gift baskets filled with a variety of items such as fresh baked Stollen (traditional German Christmas fruit bread), shortbread cookies and fondue spread. They also have take-out containers filled with gingersnap cookies, perfect for an office gift exchange.
I know my next comment will make me sound like such a girl, but the cakes at Bon Ton were so pretty and I wanted one so bad. A raspberry white chocolate torte (small $22.50 large $37.50) would be the perfect gift for your Christmas party host, or I’m sure I could throw a Christmas party for one and feel good about giving it to myself. A less expensive gift is their hazelnut roll ($8.50) which looked soft enough to pull apart with my fingers.
After the cakes, I found myself overwhelmed by cinnamon bun choices. Pecan buns, stone-ground cinnamon buns, cinnamon butterflies and sweet poppy seed buns were all screaming my name. Honestly, I don’t understand how Tim Hortons is still in business when all these affordable, mouth-watering sticky treats are made from scratch in bakeries all over the city.
I tore myself away from the delicious sites and smells of Bon Ton and travelled south to Fresh Start Bakery in Riverbend Square. This European-style bakery and restaurant was producing aromas of delectable proportions the instant I opened the door.
While I made a mental note that I must return to try their brunch menu, I was overwhelmed by the number of fresh-baked breads available. Their cinnamon buns almost got the better of me as well, but I was glad that I picked up a package of their homemade granola for $7.99. This sweet and somewhat healthy treat certainly improved my morning yogurt, and I believe it would make an excellent addition to any bakery basket for the holidays.
A familiar stop in the University area was Bee Bell Health Bakery. During busy hours, the number system gives this large bakery a sense of organized chaos. Their cheese buns are a personal favourite, and I will pout for a week if they run out of sour cherry turnovers smothered in icing.
The famous Edmonton bakery is also packed with fresh-baked breads, cakes and pastries that make a perfect holiday gift, instead of that boring box of Magic Moments. I’m pretty sure no one would pick through and leave behind any casualties from a Bee Bell bakery box.
To conclude my Saturday morning bakery research, I popped into Cobs, a personal favourite of mine. I indulged in two of their seasonal treats, including the whole-wheat cranberry walnut bread. The deal of the day had to be the gigantic, iced pumpkin scone for $1.85. It was a wonderful combination of basic pumpkin flavour with a very sweet icing. I found myself having “just one more bite” the entire car ride home. I took note of the Cobs value packages: the Cinnamon Bun & Loaf Pack for $12 would be a welcome treat of holiday baking.
For me, finding a new bakery or visiting my regular suppliers is always exciting. I never know what new treat I will find. While some people shy away from bakeries because of the whole anti-carbohydrate obsession, I have no shame in indulging in a gooey cinnamon bun or buttery croissant. Personally, I think people who don’t eat carbs are weird.
Besides, I’d much rather have someone bring me a unique fresh bread than some Ferrero Rochers, but that’s just me.
So if you’re late with a Christmas gift, bringing something to a get-together or hosting a soiree yourself, why not try filling a box from a bakery instead? There are a lot of people out there who would love to receive shortbread cookies, fudge, or a package of peanut brittle.
In this crazy holiday season, it seems like fewer people are finding time to do Christmas baking. Let a professional help you out. I’ll make you a deal—if you try my advice and the gift isn’t appreciated, feel free to return it to me, and I’ll be more than happy to eat it. V
More info about Bee Bell Bakery →
More info about Bon Ton Bakery →
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