Last-minute dessert solutions

Forget that you volunteered to bring the dessert to [insert festive event here]? I’ve been there. Don’t panic, and skip the sheet cake, because I have some truly amazing local sweet treats that will make you a total hit as soon as you walk through the door.

Frissants from Swiss Bakery

I know I know, the cronut thing is well and truly old news, but the Vancouver-created frissant is not just a flash in the pan. A cross between a fritter and a croissant, and then pumped full of pastry cream, this thing is pretty amazing. Call ahead and place your order, the bakery sells out of these wondrous creations before 10am most days. The vanilla custard is my favourite. Save me one.

Swiss Bakery, 143 E 3rd Ave, Vancouver

Candy cane doughnuts from Cartems Donuterie

These sweet little rings of festive goodness will definitely cause your blood sugar to hit a high note, but they are so cute. And everyone starts vibrating anyway when you arrive with a Cartems box. Call ahead of you want all Candy Cane, or mix it up with their popular favourites like Earl Grey or Salted Caramel. They’re doing festive mini doughnuts too on special order, with these cute little stockings on them.

Cartems, 534 W Pender St & 2190 Main St, Vancouver

Cookies and milk box from Beaucoup Bakery

This works as a host gift, or a dessert stand-in. The beautiful box comes complete with two of Beaucoup’s famous peanut butter sandwich cookies, as well as two each of their salted rosemary chocolate, toasted buckwheat chocolate chip, and salted brown butter shortbread cookies, with a bottle of organic Avalon milk. Call ahead to make sure there’s a box available.

Beaucoup Bakery & Café, 2150 Fir St, Vancouver

Douglas Fir cream puff cake from Beta5

Does it get more festive than Douglas Fir-infused cream puffs from this local chocolate favourite? It’s like a Christmas Tree, in cake form. A flourless chocolate cake is top with several cream puffs filled with Douglas Fir-infused cream, dark chocolate mousse, pistachio sponge cake, and topped with dark chocolate mushrooms. Order ahead for this masterpiece.

Beta5 Chocolates, 413 Industrial Ave, Vancouver

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Image credits: Beta5, Cartems Donuterie