The holiday season is in full swing. And while chestnuts roasting on an open fire sound dandy, it’s the serious sweet treats most people crave this time of year. From the sharable to those you’ll want to keep just for yourself, we’re rounding up the local businesses that are dishing out decadent desserts to please any palate—or, should we even say it?—diet.
Cobbler Gobbler
In the Dallas Farmers Market ‘s The Shed, you’ll find Brunchaholics, where alongside owner Jessie Washington, whom we recently highlighted in our October Soul Food feature, is Don Carter Jr., a.k.a. Cobbler Gobbler. The name speaks for itself. Carter, a self-taught baker who bakes as much as he gobbles treats, is wooing those with a sweet tooth with his peach cobbler. His secret? Making sure the peaches are marinated long enough to feel a soft burst of juice in each bite. If you’re not able to make it out to the market on a weekend, don’t fret. Cobbler Gobbler takes phone orders, too.
Kessler Baking Studio
There’s a feeling of home as soon as you step into the North Oak Cliff shop. From the rows of cookie jars collected and gifted by friends and customers-turned-friends to the aroma of fresh baked cookies or cinnamon rolls, Clyde Greenhouse, known as the Bowtie Baker, knows how to create ambiance. One of his most well-known holiday items is his star- and Christmas tree-shaped brownies and blondies topped with pecans or walnuts for added texture. Kessler Baking Studio also offers tins and baskets of goodies for those looking to a more substantial gift.
CocoAndré Chocolatier
Mother-daughter duo Andrea Pedraza and Cindy Pedraza Puente have been bringing life in the form of chocolate to the Bishop Arts District for years. Mixing European techniques with Mexican tradition is CocoAndré’s claim to fame. Offering items like barks, truffles, and bars year round, they also bring the heat when it comes to seasonal treats. From chocolate ornaments to nutcrackers, angels, and snow-covered pine trees CocoAndré meticulously made, molded confections are a winter wonderland. Vegan options are also available. (We love their vegan caramel turtles and Feliz bars.)
Val’s Cheesecakes
By the jar or by the slice, Val’s Cheesecakes, from owner Valery Jean Bart, continues to serve up some of the Dallas area’s most decadent sweets. His three locations—The Shack, The Store, or The Stand (in the Maple District, Lowest Greenville, and Fort Worth’s Crokett Row)—have you covered year round, but especially for the holidays. Favorite whole cheesecakes include banana pudding and peach and apple cobbler cheesecakes. Savory cheesecakes and recently added vegan flavors such as key lime and rum raisin round out a long list. And there’s a whole story behind every bite.
Cretia’s
Offering lunch, dinner and brunch, Cretia’s is a community staple in Oak Cliff. But it’s the wide selection of desserts that draws your eyes as soon as you walk in the quaint restaurant. With 30 cake flavors and 32 pie flavors, it can be hard to choose. Cakes come in white sour cream, carrot, and red velvet. If pie is your thing, the sweet potato, buttermilk chess, and apple pies are solid options for a holiday party—or just to keep for yourself.
