9 Festive Bakes To Feast On While Christmas Shopping
‘Tis the season for indulgence, and what better way to sweeten up your last-minute Christmas shopping spree than with London’s best festive pastries and patisseries?
We’ve scoured the city’s top bakeries for the most luxurious, mouthwatering treats. From flaky Christmas croissants to decadent doughnuts, these are the festive treats to try for Christmas 2023.
9 London Bakeries To Visit For A Christmas Treat
Peggy Porschen
With its charming and iconic pink flowered façade, Peggy Porschen is renowned for crafting edible works of art that are both stunning and delicious.
This festive season, order Peggy’s Baileys & Chocolate seasonal special—a caramel sponge filled with Baileys ganache, expertly iced with Baileys & chocolate meringue buttercream, and decorated with a shimmering sugar snowflake and pearlescent chocolate balls.
Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.peggyporschen.com
St JOHN Bakery
The St. John Group’s venture into baking has been a delightful extension of their restaurants.
Sourcing ingredients locally, including dairy from Neal’s Yard, their delicious doughnuts with seasonally changing jam fillings are a must-try, and this Christmas, their eagerly awaited Mince Pies make a long-awaited return—dark, fruity, and brandy-infused, encased in a buttery pastry. Pie perfection.
Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.stjohnrestaurant.com
Chestnut Bakery
Chestnut Bakery in Belgravia’s Christmas Croissant is a delicious marriage of blueberry cheesecake and their award-winning croissant. Picture this: a burst of short crust crumble, roasted cream cheese, and luscious blueberry compote nestled between flaky layers of pastry.
It’s elegantly topped with white chocolate shards and a dusting of blueberry powder. A perfect pit stop when browsing Belgravia’s stylish shops.
Where: 17-21 Elizabeth St, London SW1W 9RPWebsite: www.chestnutbakery.com
Donutelier
Hailing from the renowned Roladin bakery, with over 33 years of perfecting doughnuts, this UK outpost provides a front-row seat to the doughnut-making process. Watch as airy dough transforms into fluffy pastries to form a menu of incredible creations.
For the Christmas collection, they’ve rolled out the Santa Berry Kiss, Red Nose Pistachio and the Frosty Mont Blanc – treat yourself in-store or take them home for a festive feast with the family.
Where: 48-50, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB
Website: www.donutelier.co.uk
GAIL’s
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Christmas Bun from GAIL’s.
This seasonal sensation graces the counter around mid-November – a brioche swirl featuring cinnamon and vanilla frangipane, chocolate crumbs and candied orange peel, iced with orange and crème fraiche icing. They have that classic Christmas flavour that makes them impossible to resist.
Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.gailsbread.co.uk
Pophams Bakery
Pophams Bakery, famed for its irresistible pastries, is the go-to for both savoury and sweet cravings, with their London Fields site also boasting a pasta menu for an evening dinner service.
This festive season, don’t miss the return of the King’s Ginger Mince Pie, a collaborative creation infused with a blend of fruits and spices soaked in The King’s Ginger liqueur. It’s baked with a Demerara sugar crust and, once it cools down, piped generously with a clotted cream (also spiked with the liqeuer).
Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.pophamsbakery.com
The Connaught Patisserie
The Connaught Patisserie by Nicolas Rouzaud is a must-visit this festive season, offering limited edition creations that elevate the art of patisserie. Highlights include the Christmas Tree, inspired by Rachel Whiteread’s take on the legendary Connaught Christmas Tree. This delicious treat features layers of pecan brownie, pistachio mousse, praline, and mandarin confit, coated in rocher glaze and decorated with edible white chocolate hoops.
For an indulgent Christmas Day centrepiece, opt for the festive yule logs in Chocolate and Hazelnut or Vanilla Raspberry. And for a decadent gift option, The Connaught Hound, the much-loved symbol of the patisserie, is made with 70% dark chocolate, roasted hazelnut, and a hazelnut praline and milk chocolate base.
Where: The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL
Website: www.the-connaught.co.uk
Doughnut Time
Known for their ever-changing menu, there’s always a whimsical treat to discover at Doughnut Time, and their latest festive exclusive, “Will Ferr-elf,” is an absolute treat.
This merry doughnut is filled with chocolate fudge, dipped in a green glaze, and topped with buttercream, a coconut collar, gold sugar lace, and a golden chocolate buckle. A must-have treat when Christmas shopping in London (and perfect for bringing home to watch with your favourite Christmas movie – Elf, obviously).
Where: Multiple Locations
Website: www.doughnuttime.co.uk
TOAD Bakery
TOAD bakery is the reigning king of Camberwell’s pastry scene. Known for championing the UK’s seasonal produce, the pastries are brimming with local flavours and low-mileage ingredients.
The smell of freshly baked sourdough and tempting treats makes decision-making a challenge, but for the festive season, opt for the Yule Hog croissant. This playful twist on a classic is inspired by a Norwegian Christmas dinner, with pork belly, prunes, red cabbage kraut and melty cheddar, topped with a guindilla pepper.
Where: 44 Peckham Rd, London SE5 8PX
Website: www.toadbakery.com
