You’ve done your holiday shopping and decorated your home. Now, it’s time to start planning your holiday menu and requisite potluck contributions to the many parties you’re sure to attend. If you’re like us and have enough to worry about (our family is chock full of Capricorns) and want to minimize any squabbling in the kitchen, we vote for leaving the baking to someone else.
Instead, consider this list of our go-to bakeries across L.A. with classic pastries and seasonal treats representing or inspired by cultures around the world to add international flair to your next gathering. My 12-year-old daughter, Dominie, and I curated this delightful gathering of sweets, which includes legacy businesses that are older than the two of us combined and a new pâtisserie you’ll want to visit any time of year.
Crème Caramel
14849 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks
cremecaramella.com
Seriously, there’s joy to be had in every bite of a Crème Caramel creation. If you’re lucky enough to meet co-founder Kristine de la Cruz, whose recipes are inspired by her ninang (godmother) and ninong (godfather) and use traditional Filipino flavors, you’ll understand why. Her cheery demeanor comes through in every offering, from their leche flan to empanadas. Our family especially appreciates their wide selection of small custards and cheesecakes: ube-upside down pie for me, buko pandan for my parents, maja blanca for my titas and Manila mango custard for Dominie. Everyone gets what they want, and the vibrant colors add a welcomed pop to any spread. This season, we’re also looking forward to their ube coconut yule log — something we can all agree on. A smaller selection of custards is available via food delivery apps for other Southland neighborhoods. Just search on the app for “Creme Caramel LA.” –Teena
Phoenix Bakery
969 N. Broadway, L.A.
phoenixbakeryinc.com
When I found out I had the chance to write about international bakeries in Los Angeles, I knew I had to add Phoenix Bakery in Chinatown. My family has been ordering the bakery’s famous strawberry cake for parties for generations — long before I was born. Phoenix has many desserts, from quick snacks like almond cookies and sweet butterfly wontons to wedding cakes! My parents had the classic strawberry and chocolate mousse cakes for their wedding. Everything about this place is a definite green flag. The employees are really friendly, and I absolutely love how colorfully the bakery is painted outside. I love it, and I hope you’ll love it, too. Just be prepared for a potential line out the door. Their desserts are that good! Make a friend in line like my lola (grandmother) and mom always do. –Dominie
Eagle Rock Italian Bakery & Deli
1726 Colorado Blvd., L.A.
eribdeli.com
When I asked one of my best friends, Anne, what her favorite bakery is during the holidays, there was not a second of hesitation when she answered, “Eagle Rock Italian Bakery.” (Her husband is from Ferrara, and he concurs.) They love the bakery’s cookie selection, which includes cuccidati (fig), pignoli (pine nut) and wedding cookies, to name just a few. Friendly co-owner Anthony Cafarchia, whose parents owned the business for some 50 years before he and his brother, Vito, took over, says they’ll have a selection of prepackaged cookie trays for the holiday season. Also look for their popular struffoli (deep-fried dough balls) with walnuts, almonds and candied orange peel rolled in honey — and cherries and orange marmalade —plus sprinkles on top. Of course, the always-in-demand cannoli also await. Go classic or opt for chocolate or pistachio. You can’t go wrong. –Teena
India Sweets & Spices
3126 Los Feliz Blvd., L.A.
indiasweetsandspices.us
An international bakery I love is India Sweets and Spices in Atwater Village. I especially like visiting because its display cases are packed with hundreds of sweets. I wanted to try them all — and I am a very picky eater! Just ask someone behind the counter for help, and they’ll give you a lowdown on each item and what they’re made of. A variety of treats with cashews filled nearly two shelves, while others had bite-size sweets made with cheese or milk flour. You’ll find delights like the very sweet gulab jamun (fried dough balls) and the soft and spongy rasgulla (dumplings). They also have savory snacks to take home, like aloo tikki and samosas. And the adjoining market is bigger than you would expect. –Dominie
Guatemalteca Bakery and Restaurant
4770 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.
With additional locations
guatemaltecabakeryinc.com
Tamales — making and eating them — is how thousands of families across the Southland will be celebrating Christmastime. Stop by Gautemalteca for puerco (pork), pache (potato with chicken), chiplin (vegetable) and elote (corn) tamales. And during the holidays, they add a sweet option: tamale dulce, which is made with chocolate, raisins and either pork or chicken. You may also want to take home rellenitos, mashed plantains you can have sweet (cream filling with sugar topping) or savory (refried bean and sour cream) and the seasonal ponche. Served hot, the drink is a treat in textures and flavors, with pieces of papaya, apples and coconut.
–Teena
Cool Bites Pâtisserie
932 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale
coolbitescatering.com
If you love super-sweet desserts, this bakery is for you. It has the most beautiful creations. We found this place while walking around town, and it was very welcoming. I love the lighting there, and the people working there were really nice. I tried the seasonal passion fruit pastry, and it was delicious. You could tell a lot of work was put into the dessert. —Dominie
Walking into Cool Bites is akin to visiting an artisan jewelry store or contemporary art gallery. The first word that came out of my mouth when I saw their display cases was, “Wow.” Each perfectly lined-up pastry — the tarts, éclairs, Paris-Brest — is so stunning and colorful in their composition, you’ll want to take each one home. Yet just looking at them makes you smile. Bestsellers include the éclairs and the dessert that my husband and I both enjoyed (a rarity!): the pistachio tart. Filled with pistachio crème, whipped ganache and paste, the tart is topped with gold flakes and rose petals, making any occasion extra special. –Teena
