Where to Buy the Most Festive Holiday Cookies in Philadelphia

In an ideal world, every day of December would be filled with cookies — dipping them in your morning coffee, pairing them with your afternoon snack, and, of course, enjoying an after-dinner cookie to end your day on a sweet note. 

But you certainly can’t be expected to bake them all, which is why we’ve pulled together a list of our favorite holiday cookies, available now to stock your home (and to give as gifts).

Cake Life Bakery, Fishtown

Whatever your celebratory sweets you need — whether it’s for a birthday, the holidays, or just a good day that deserves a treat — Cake Life Bakery has you covered. This year they have the most charming little cookie boxes. With classics like sugar cookies cut in festive shapes and gingerbread men, they’re reminiscent of the kinds of cookies you’d bake with grandma on Christmas Eve (and leave as an offering for Old Saint Nick). Preorders for pick-up and delivery drop on Wednesday, December 4th, and will be available until Sunday, December 29th. Preorders can be made on Cake Life Bake Shop’s website from Wednesday, December 4, through Sunday, December 29. You can also find cookies and other festive treats in-store for walk-in purchase. 1306 Frankford Avenue.

Cookies 4 Coats — Her Place Supper Club, Rittenhouse

If you can’t decide where to source your holiday cookies from this year, spring for the Cookies 4 Coats box featuring over 45 cookies from Philadelphia’s top pastry chefs. The “ultimate cookie swap,” as it is called, goes for $125 per box, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward The Broad Street Ministry and The Sunday Love Project to purchase winter coats for those in need. Last year’s box raised over $10,000! If you need more convincing, each cookie box will include a packet of recipes so you can wow your holiday guests with restaurant-quality cookies for years to come. You can order boxes through Tock. Pick-up will be Saturday, December 14th, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Amourette.  251 South 18th Street.

Jezabel’s, West Philly

If you need a thoughtful, local gift mailed nationwide, Jezabel’s alfajores are ideal: They travel well and always impress the receiver. Opt for the chocolate-dipped, rose-petal sprinkled versions for a special touch. 206-208 South 45th Street.

New June, Brewerytown

You might associate New June Bakery with their gorgeous cakes, but they’re also doing a cookie box this year that includes more than a dozen sweet treats. Included in the box are star anise, orange and saffron sugar cookies, salted butter chocolate chunk shortbread, pistachio and rose amoretti, and more. If you’re keen on beautifully decorated gingerbread (but don’t want to decorate them yourself), opt for their premium box. Ordering will be live on their website on December 6th. 2623 West Girard Avenue.

Jamie Makes Bakes, pop-up

Christmas cookies do taste better when they’re homemade, so consider trying out one of Philadelphia’s many pop-up bakeries this season. Jamie will be turning out dozens of sweets for pick-up in South Philly, including pistachio, honeycomb, and apricot biscotti with chocolate dip, cranberry jammers, and much more. Orders are live now and can be picked up or delivered between 12/20 and 12/23.

Isgro Pastries, Bella Vista

In general, lines around the holidays aren’t exactly festive, but there’s something about the crowd that gathers outside Isgro right before major holidays that feels distinctly celebratory. Join the multigenerational crowd of Philadelphians who know that no Christmas celebration is complete without at least one box of Isgro’s cookies. We’re particularly fond of the pignoli, but there’s really no wrong choice. 1009 Christian Street.

Essen Bakery, East Passyunk and Kensington

Essen always has a handful of their sweets available for national shipping, so if you’re looking to send black and white cookies (and Philly’s best babka, just to send a little extra joy) to anywhere in the United States, this is a great option. 1437 East Passyunk Avenue and 110 West Berks Street.

Mighty Bread Co., East Passyunk

Mighty Bread’s cookies and sweets are classic but elevated, with options like a rye chocolate chip cookie, a coconut oat cookie, and a classic biscotti. For a full-on cookie experience, look for their cookie box on their website the first week of December. 1211 Gerritt Street.

Fiore Fine Foods, Kensington

Fiore always curates incredible holiday treats, and this year they’re offering a taste of Italy box, with pastry from all over Italy. The box will include an assortment of cookies from Naples, Piedmont, Siena, and Tuscany. Add on tricolor cookies, rugelach, challah, and more to complete your holiday baking without breaking a sweat. 2413 Frankford Avenue.

Dandelion Bakes, Kensington

Another great option for home-baked cookies is Dandelion Bakes cookie box, which will include Italian rainbow cookies, pignoli, pizzelle, and much more. Order via their website and pick it up at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church on December 23rd.

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