During the holidays, many Delaware-area residents put their weight-loss programs on hold. In large part that’s because so many restaurants, bakeries, and breweries offer limited-edition seasonal sensations that aren’t to be missed. Savoring a sip of Lewes Dairy’s eggnog, for instance, is a rich tradition that started in many locals’ childhoods. Consider the following treats to enjoy at home or on the town.
An Appetite for Apps
Back Burner to Go’s Better Cheddar Spread has been a decades-old party staple. The shop is an offshoot of the Back Burner Restaurant, which opened in 1980. While Better Cheddar is available all year, the demand soars during the holidays. The secret recipe for the smoky-flavored spread includes walnuts, scallions, and, of course, cheddar. Side note: Back Burner Restaurant’s famous shrimp Lejon is on the catering menu, and visiting guests will love the pumpkin mushroom soup, which is available all year. 425 Hockessin Corner, Hockessin, (302) 239-2732.
Seasonal Sips
At the beach, the appearance of Lewes Dairy’s eggnog on supermarket shelves signals the start of the holiday season. The silky beverage boasts a minimum fat content of 7% or more. (The average is 6%.) Although the Lewes farm merged with Hy-Point Dairy in Brandywine Hundred, Lewes Dairy eggnog remains a seasonal toast to the coast. Available at beach area stores and Janssen’s Market.
Drip Café in Hockessin and Newark will once again sell Sleigh Ride, a limited-edition coffee bean blend that changes each year. 144 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, (302) 234-4430; 60 N. College Ave., Newark, (302) 565-4685.
In Smyrna, Painted Stave Distilling is adding to its seasonal Campfire liqueur collections. Campfire Chai and Campfire Apple Ginger were released in early fall. Campfire Cocoa debuts on Black Friday. Up next: Campfire Spice Vanilla in January and February 2025. 106 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, (302) 653-6834.
Seasonal beers include Wilmington Brew Works’ Harmonic Oscillation, a chocolate milkshake stout, and Mechanical Dissonance, an imperial stout. “We’ll also have some pastry stouts and pastry sours,” says John Fusco, vice president of creative and brand marketing. “They will be fun and pair well with holiday treats and desserts.” Also available is Ciderosa Cranberry Sage, a winter cider. 3129 Miller Road, Wilmington, (302) 722-4828.
Vincenza & Margherita Bistro is known for inventive seasonal cocktails. Consider the white chocolate candy cane martini with vodka, crème de menthe, crème de cacao and grenadine with a candy cane rim, or the Jack Frost, made with Malibu Coconut Rum, blue Curaçao, coconut cream and pineapple with a coconut rim. 1717 Marsh Road, Wilmington, (302) 479-7999.
Deep Freeze
Come Thanksgiving, Fusco’s Water Ice will offer seasonal ice cream pies at its new Kirkwood Highway location. Consider pumpkin spice and apple cider doughnut. (The ice cream is organic and lactose-free, and the gluten-free pie crusts are made with graham crackers or chocolate.) Customers can also get an apple cider doughnut topped with vanilla soft serve ice cream. In December, peppermint ice cream might enter the mix. “We will pull out a few new surprise flavors to celebrate the season,” owner Joseph Staffieri promises. “And, who knows, maybe a visit or two from Santa.” 3926 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, (302) 510-6003.
A Culinary Immersion
Once again, Klondike Kate’s is morphing into the Sleigh Bar at Klondike Kate’s, a holiday tradition since 2019. Previously, the menu included Candy Cane Caprese—grape tomatoes and marinated mozzarella balls—and holiday egg rolls with turkey, gravy, stuffing and cranberry relish. 158 E. Main St., Newark, (302) 737-6100.
Crooked Hammock Brewery in Middletown and Lewes will become a version of the old Gimbels department store, complete with paper snowflakes, chains, and tinsel. The culinary team is creating a pop-up “HoHoHoliday” food menu, and there will be holiday movies under the stars and fireside activities. The fun benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation. JingleBerry and S’more Cowbell are the two seasonal beers. 316 Auto Park Drive, Middletown, (302) 601-7837; 36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, (302) 644-7838.
Sweet Breakfast Treats
Sleeping Bird Coffee in Wilmington will take preorders for the famous cinnamon buns during the December holidays. (The shop will not be open on Thanksgiving Day for the first time.) 3111 Miller Road, Wilmington, (302) 570-7358.
Meanwhile, owner Leigh Ann Tona says the coffee shop’s new sibling, Sleeping Bird Doughnuts in Talleyville, will feature themed doughnuts. Sleeping Bird is taking a year off from pies. 4001 Concord Pike, Wilmington.
Customers at Bing’s Bakery line up for the annual Christmas wreath, a Danish-style dough with almond filling, fondant icing, pecans, and red and green cherry candies. The bakery makes two sizes. 253 E. Main St., Newark, (302) 737-5310.
Holla For Challah
Round challah bread is the seasonal specialty at Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen. The restaurant also has a menu filled with items suitable for a Hanukkah celebration, including kugel, latkes and stuffed cabbage. 18949 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, (302) 645-1700; 34444 Coastal Highway, South Bethany, (320) 539-8550.
Smart Cookies
For some, baking cookies is a family custom. For others, it is drudgery. If you’re in the latter camp, visit Sprinkles Italian Bakery in North Wilmington for Christmas-themed sugar cookies—great for Santa—and take-home holiday cookie kits. The shop also hosts a December event with cookies and Santa Claus. 3100 Naamans Road, Wilmington, (302) 543-7730.
Serpe & Sons sells decorative boxes and trays of holiday cookies. The Elsmere bakery is also the place for pizzelles in multiple flavors, including lemon and chocolate. (Don’t forget to grab a full or half tray of Serpe’s famous tomato pie.) You can order online. 1411 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, (302) 994-1868.
Call Bing’s Bakery for gingerbread houses. The festive abodes are festooned with peppermint trim and swirls of icing. Holiday cookies are roof “shingles,” and peppermint trees grow in the yard.
Just Desserts
Sprinkles also sells Santa- or Rudolph-themed cakes.
For bite-sized fun, order fruit tarts, petit fours and other small desserts from Janssen’s Market. 3801 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, (302) 654-9941.
Yay for Yule Logs
Janssen’s has also featured bûche de Noël, a Yule log cake popular in France, Belgium and Québec.
La Baguette French Bakery in Dover and Lewes will have two sizes of bûche de Noël in assorted flavors. “Ordering in advance is highly suggested,” says Anita Wheeler-Bezy, who owns the shops with her husband, Ludovic. 323 S. Governors Ave., Dover, (302) 741-0180; 33323 E. Chesapeake St., Suite 33, Lewes, (302) 200-7946.
Related: 5 Holiday Pop-up Bars Spreading Christmas Cheer in Delaware
