Toronto Bakeries for Christmas Cookies, Panettone and Yule Logs

Christmas in Toronto tastes like panettone from an Italian bakery, a bûche de Noël from a French patisserie, Portuguese bolo rei, German stollen and plenty of cookies. Here’s where to find the best holiday baking. Most bakeries take pre-orders from November, and popular items sell out, so order early.

Panettone

Toronto’s large Italian community means excellent panettone, both baked locally and imported from Italy.

• SanRemo Bakery (Etobicoke): a local favourite; walk-in only and sells out quickly.
• Forno Cultura (King West): naturally leavened panettone in several sizes.
• Blackbird Baking Co. (Kensington Market): a naturally leavened loaf with cherries, candied orange and raisins.
• Goûter (North York): classic, chocolate and hazelnut versions.
• Eataly Toronto (Yorkville) and Cheese Boutique (Bloor West Village): wide selections of panettone imported from Italy.
• Mary’s Brigadeiro (Danforth): a Brazilian twist with a chocolate brigadeiro filling.

Italian Christmas in Toronto

Bûche de Noël (yule log)

• Nadège (Rosedale): elaborate French holiday logs.
• Goûter (Midtown): traditional, triple-chocolate and frozen logs.
• The Tempered Room (Parkdale): a sliceable smoked-chocolate log.
• Bobbette & Belle (Leslieville and Leaside): festive cakes and pastries.

Cookies, stollen and more

• Christmas cookie boxes from neighbourhood bakeries make easy gifts.
• Stollen and German baking from European delis and bakeries.
• Bolo rei at Portuguese bakeries in Little Portugal and along Dundas Street West.
• Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) for Hanukkah at Jewish bakeries along Bathurst Street.

Christmas treats from around the world in Toronto

• Italian: panettone, pandoro, struffoli and pizzelle. Italian Christmas
• French: bûche de Noël, macarons and galette des rois for Epiphany in January.
• Portuguese: bolo rei (king cake) with candied fruit, and rabanadas.
• German: stollen, lebkuchen and spritz cookies. Kitchener Christkindl Market
• Polish and Ukrainian: poppy-seed rolls (makowiec) and honey cakes.
• Greek: melomakarona and kourabiedes cookies. Christmas on the Danforth
• Caribbean: black cake (rum cake). Caribbean Christmas
• Filipino: bibingka and ensaymada. Simbang Gabi
• Canadian: butter tarts, Nanaimo bars and shortbread.

How to order holiday baking

1. Check bakery websites in early November for holiday menus and pre-order windows.
2. Pre-order popular items like yule logs and panettone, which can sell out.
3. Choose a pick-up time early in the day on December 23 or 24 to avoid long lines.
4. Ask about allergens and dietary options.
5. Bring a sturdy box or bag for transporting delicate cakes.

Baking at home?

Stock up on butter, flour and sugar early, as stores can run low just before Christmas. St. Lawrence Market and specialty stores carry good-quality chocolate, nuts and dried fruit. For classes, see Christmas cooking and baking classes.

Christmas bakeries: FAQ

When should I order a yule log in Toronto? By early December for popular French bakeries.

Where can I find butter tarts? At many bakeries and markets across Toronto, especially in December.

Tips

• Pre-order yule logs and specialty cakes by early December.
• Pick up on December 23 rather than Christmas Eve to avoid the longest lines.
• Check holiday hours; many bakeries close on December 25 and 26.

Bakery offerings change every season, so check each bakery’s website or social media for this year’s menu.

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