Where to Find Austin’s Most Delicious Holiday Desserts

The holidays have arrived in Austin, and local kitchens are stirring up more than just cheer. Across the city, pastry chefs and bartenders are transforming classic flavors into imaginative seasonal treats — from delicate Hanukkah cookies and glossy truffles to decadent cakes and spirited cocktails. These confections capture the warmth and creativity that make the season so sweet.

Hanukkah cookie box at Rockman Coffee & Bakeshop

At her East Austin bakery, Amanda Rockman delights visitors all year long with her creative pastries. So it’s no surprise that Rockman has big plans for her holiday sweets lineup. Rockman offers a thematic cookie box for Hanukkah; each box contains four rugelach, four coconut macaroons and four black-and-white cookies.

Holiday chocolates at Intero

Intero on East Cesar Chavez Street is an Austin treasure for many reasons, and this Italian restaurant’s beautiful artisanal chocolates, handcrafted by co-owner Krystal Craig, are a prime example. Craig’s chocolate gift sets have become a cherished holiday tradition among Austin foodies, and this year the sets include exciting seasonal truffle flavors like Brown Butter & Cacao Nib, Spiced Chai and White Chocolate Mocha.

Bûche de Noël at Bakery Lorraine

A staple item on French holiday tables, bûche de Noël — or “Yule log”— is a rolled sponge cake filled with whipped cream and decorated to resemble a log of firewood. These specialties can be tricky to track down in Austin, but Bakery Lorraine will happily accommodate any bûche de Noël cravings. Their version involves pistachio sponge cake layered with a pistachio and raspberry mousse, bringing a fresh and bright flavor profile (and a very on-theme green and red color scheme) to the log’s interior.

“From A Broken Gingerbread Home” cocktail at Corner Restaurant

A sweet and boozy sipper loaded with holiday spirit, “From A Broken Gingerbread Home” mixes brown butter-washed Elijah Craig bourbon with cinnamon, ginger, brown sugar and a savory dash of Aztec chocolate bitters. This smooth and seasonally-appropriate drink can be found at Corner, a restaurant at the JW Marriott Hotel in Downtown Austin.

Pumpkin chocolate bundt cake at Gati

Founded by acclaimed chef Jam Santichat, Gati in East Austin focuses on coconut-based ice creams and gluten-free pastries bursting with Southeast Asian flavors and seasonal ingredients. A standout on Gati’s 2025 Thanksgiving pastry menu includes a moist, richly spiced Pumpkin Chocolate Bundt Cake bathed in a decadent chocolate ganache.

Pumpkin pie latte at Morningbird

If you’re looking to start your day with a spicy and sweet dessert-themed coffee, head to Morningbird at Downright Austin Hotel and grab a Pumpkin Pie Latte. This toasty beverage, served hot or iced, features bold espresso, steamed milk, pumpkin pie sauce by Hollander Chocolate Co., house-made pumpkin pie topping, a silky whipped cream garnish and a dusting of cinnamon, brown sugar and allspice.

Holiday cookie box at Abby Jane Bakeshop

A Hill Country excursion hardly seems complete without a stop at Abby Jane Bakeshop. This Dripping Springs bakery has become a local institution since opening in 2021. It’s known for owner Abby Love’s exceptional sourdough, flaky croissants and sinfully delicious cinnamon buns, which rank among the best baked goods in Central Texas. If you find yourself in need of an office party dessert or a host gift this holiday season, Abby Jane’s cookie boxes are an ideal solution. The boxes contain 20 cookies with five flavors, so there’s plenty of variety. Abby Jane Bakeshop will donate $5 from each cookie box sale to Good Work Austin, making these treats even sweeter.

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