There’s one in every group: The person who’s eaten at every restaurant in town, who rattles off ingredients like a cook, and treats culinary delicacies with the care usually reserved for newborns. For these folks, there’s no better gift than new flavors to savor. Here are five ideas sure to impress even the pickiest friends and family members.
XK Macarons
Launched by Xanna Kidd (hence the XK) in April, these delicate French pastries are sold at Mae’s Bakery in Buckhead. Seasonal flavors include gingerbread, eggnog, peppermint bark, vanilla white chocolate, and Mexican hot chocolate. A baker’s dozen costs $16. Unless they sell out, the macaron boxes will be available on Monday.
Malvi Marshmallows
Malvi Marshmallow Confections has a new take on s’mores, sandwiching colorful marshmallows between shortbread-style cookies and chocolate with salted caramel “glue.” Look for flavors like spiked espresso, raspberry-hibiscus, and vanilla-salted caramel. Those who missed the December 17 pre-order deadline can pick up a four-pack at the Beehive or the Indie Craft Experience Pop-Up Shop (closed Mondays).
Southern Table Provisions
Gluten-free gingerbread men, sugar cookies, and chocolate peppermint thumbprint cookies are available through December 23 at Land of a Thousand Hills in Roswell. A package of two gingerbread men or two sugar cookies costs $5, and three thumbprint cookies cost $4, no pre-ordering necessary.
Tiny Buffalo Baking
These “small but mighty” baked goods (think cookies, scones, and banana bread) are made to order, but the granola ($6 for 8 ounces) and sea-salted caramels ($15 for 25) can be ordered on the 22nd for pickup in Grant Park on the 23rd. For those who miss the cutoff, Tiny Buffalo also sells aprons and T-shirts, available for same-day shipping on the 23rd.
Cacao
Though the Buckhead location of this gourmet chocolate shop closed recently due to a fire, the Virginia-Highland spot is still selling chocolate gift sets, truffles, and more, right up until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The twelve-piece chocolate-covered caramel collection ($24) is a top seller.
