OK, sure, they’re everywhere. But ubiquity doesn’t disqualify La Madeleine from easing my burden this holiday season. The chain’s patisserie (French bakery) is turning out a broad enough variety of Viennoisere (Viennese yummies) and assorted hostess/office/family-worthy gifts to solve every potential holiday dilemma I tend to encounter.
jump to find out how…
For example: If, like me, the $5 cap on the office Secret Santa has you vexed, go with a two-piece truffle box in fudge love and butter toffee — wrapped and ready to go for $3.99
Got a house full of nibblers? Pick up an assortment of mini Buche de Noel, chocolate peppermint mocha parfaits, mini strawberry tarts, and mini gingerbread crème brulees for a mere $1.69 each.
Saddled with the dessert assignment at the potluck? Grab a full-size buche de noel (white cake layered with chocolate mousse and iced with chocolate ganache, $26) or a sacher torte (layers of chocolate cake filled with raspberry jam and enrobed in chocolate ganache $29). Both are available by the slice, so get a little extra for yourself and eat it in the car. No one has to know.
My family loves nuts, so I’d wager that the pecan tart — buttery-smooth with crunchy topping and hand-made, flaky crust — would make me an instant hero for under $20. The strawberry Grand Marnier cake encased in toasted almonds and topped with sweet glazed strawberries and whipped cream, however, would seal the deal for $30.
