The Holidays are a time for treats, sweets, and over indulgences. Christmas cookies, fruit cakes and gift boxes filled with chocolates are a staple at this time of year. Here are 10 best places to go in search of desserts that will make your holiday season special whether you are home alone with a video or friends are stopping in for drinks and coffee. Champagne and chocolate are high on the list along with a glass of brandy, or some hot mulled wine or cider.
Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-734-6441. This is the place to go for farm fresh apple cider and homemade apple cider donuts that are cooling off in their paper bags when you get there. The cider is made right on the farm. Great for hostess gifts if you are making the rounds of some holiday open houses. Show up with Wickham's cider and donuts and you will be an instant hit.
56275 Main Road, Southold, 631-629-4123. Great place to pick up a cake, pie or some pastries, either for desert or as breakfast treat.
1612 Main Road, Jamesport, 631-722-4999. The bakery is on a hill top with a dangerous driveway so be careful. It is worth the trek for the freshly baked cakes, bread and pies. Junda's will make gift baskets for you. Try the butter cookies and strudels.
4. Briermere Farms, 79 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, 631-727-3931. There's still time to pick up some tasty pies and homemade cookies at this great farmstand and bakery. Briermere will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve for last minute shoppers who need deserts and other treats. The Farm will be closed on Christmas and will reopen in the middle of January.
5. Bakers Workshop, 20 East Main Street, Riverhead, 631-548-3750. The Bakers Workshop features baked goods and desserts made by the students at Suffolk County Community College Culinary Institute. This is a real experience and worth the ride to Riverhead.
119 Main Street, Greenport, 631-477-6666. Cupcakes are their specialty but you can pick up a delicious cake or a pie too.
7. The Candy Man, 22350 Main Road, Orient, 631-323-2675. The North Fork's premier chocolatier needs no introduction. This is the place to go for chocolate Santas and candy canes. The gift boxes are stacked up and ready to go. Buy one for yourself, give some as gifts.
125 Love Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-2276. The Sweet Shoppe features Godiva Chocolates and will make terrific gift baskets for you.
53345 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-9575. Jelly donuts are a big hit here along with a big box of coffee to go. These donuts are great for snacks when guests stop in on a cold winter afternoon. Grab them and go.
200 Main Street, Greenport, 631-477-8250. Take a ride to Greenport to stock up on candy of all kinds for gifts or for dessert at your house during the holidays. This is a must stop store, for candy and for other Christmas shopping.
