I can't believe it's already the middle of December. It felt like summer just a few days ago, and now the weather is cooling down, winter coats are coming out of storage, and the air is beginning to smell like pine, but I'm not complaining. With the holidays just around the corner that means local Chicago cafes and bakeries are whipping up some amazing seasonal treats. From mouth-watering pastries to spiced lattes, there are so many delicious holiday treats you have to try in Chicago this winter break, and here's a list to get you started.

1. Bake Chicago Holiday Cookies

Price: $35 for holiday cookie box, $15 for decorated cookie box

Location: 2246 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Bake is one of my favorite dessert shops in Chicago. The counters are always filled with delicious sweets, but they sell out fast so it's best to visit right when the bakery opens. For the holiday season, pastry chefs Eric and Jennifer Estrella are creating a wide range of holiday treats. While the cookie designs and flavors change daily, their taste will, without a doubt, put a smile on your face. 

2. Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits Holiday Pies 

Price: between $32 to $41 per pie 

Location: 2051 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

If you haven't try Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits yet, now is your chance. It true that they have some tasty savory options, but it's their pies that have people coming back time and time again. For this holiday season, their pie selection includes flavors like Cranberry-Key Lime, Peppermint Hot Cocoa, Maple Gooey Butter, Chocolate Hazelnut, Cranberry Crisp, Holiday-Honey, Caramel Apple Cast Iron Crisp, plus so much more. Just remember to order a head of time for contactless pick-up from the shop on Wednesday December 23 and Thursday December 24. Don't forget to wear a mask. 

3. Chocolate Uzma Sipping Chocolate Bombs

Price: $5.50 per sipping chocolate bomb

Location: 1900 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

Chocolate Bombs have become the latest food trend on the Internet. Watching these chocolate bombs melt as hot milk is poured over them to reveal all the tasty treats inside is just so mesmerizing. While you can always make your own, why not enjoy some hot cocoa while also supporting a local business? Chocolate Uzma's beautiful Sipping Chocolate Bombs are handmade with a blend of dark and milk chocolate then filled with their sipping mix and mini marshmallows for the ultimate hot cocoa experience. 

4. Drink Happy Thoughts Gingerbread Latte

Price: $5.25 for 12 oz, $6.25 for 16 oz

Location: 942 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Pumpkin Spice is so last season. Now, it's time for gingerbread everything, and just in time for the holidays, Drink Happy Thoughts is serving their new Gingerbread Latte. This latte is a blend of espresso, steamed milk, ginger syrup, and condensed milk, all topped off with white chocolate chips and a special holiday spice mix. Oh, and yes, the adorable gingerbread man cookie is include. 

5. Firecakes Holiday Donuts

Price: $2.39 to $2.95 per donut; $18.75 for Christmas Sample

Locations: 68 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

2453 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

104 N Maple Ave, Oak Park, IL 60301

Chicago has a lot of yummy donut shops that are creating some wonderful holiday specials, but Firecakes is offering 8 festive flavors this season – red velvet cake, old fashioned orange cranberry, peppermint hot chocolate, mini eggnog, mini sugar cookie, sufganiyot filled with raspberry-blood orange jelly, holiday sprinkle, and Santa donut. You can also order their Christmas Sampler and try all 8 of their holiday donuts because, I don't know about you, but I couldn't choose just one.

6. JoJo's Shake Bar Winter Wonderland Shake 

Price: $14

Locations: 23 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 at Water Tower Place Level 2

Who said milkshakes can only be enjoyed during the summer? JoJo's Shake Bar is serving up their Winter Wonderland Shake throughout December 2020, and it'll definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. This decadent peppermint shake is topped off with Snowman DoDo, Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie, a marshmallow present, mini candy canes, and whipped cream. You could get two straws to share with a friend, if you're feeling extra nice this season. 

7. Pretty Cool Ice Cream Holiday Ice Cream Flavors

Price: $5.50 per ice cream bar 

Location: 2353 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Pretty Cool Ice Cream has some of the best ice cream flavors in Chicago, and they are always coming out with innovative and drool-worth ice cream creations. For the month of December, Pretty Cool Ice Cream released Frozen Hot Cocoa, Candy Cane Crunch, and Caramel Eggnog. All of the best seasonal flavors now available in ice cream form. What more could one want for the holidays?

8. Sugargoat Sweets Holiday Cupcakes 

Price: $20 for a box of holiday assorted cupcakes

Location: 820 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Sugargoat Sweets is run by Stephanie Izard and Faith Taheny, a dynamic duo that's always looking for new flavor combination to wow their customers. This sweet shop is filled with crazy cool treats like Pancake Cake, Oatmeal Pickled Raisin Cookies, Buttery Cheesy Cakey Pie, and even Goat Tracks Ice Cream. But, if you're in the mood for something a bit more festive, you've got to try the new seasonal cupcakes – Candy Cane Chocolate, Hazelnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, and Gingerbread Latte. 

9. Veruca Chocolates Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mendiants

Price: $9 for 5 mendiants 

Location: 1332 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642

Calling all the chocolate lovers out there. Veruca is offering their Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mendiants for the ultimate chocolate and peppermint experience. These mendiants are a lovely gift for a loved one or for yourself because we all deserve to treat ourselves. They are also selling Gourmet Gingerbread S'mores, Gourmet Peppermint S'mores, Gingerbread Caramels, Bag of Coal Truffles, Snowball Truffles, and so more for the holiday season so be sure to check out their website.

10. West Town Bakery Seasonal Chocolate Covered Oreos

Price: $24 for 6 holiday themed chocolate covered Oreos

Locations: 1916 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

3626 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613

What better way to celebrate the holidays than with chocolate covered Oreos and a tall glass of milk? West Town Bakery took classic Oreos and covered them with chocolate to create the cutest holiday characters, which include Santa, Rudolph, Gingerbread Man, and Candy Swirl. Don't forget order them today or visit the cafe to get your hands on these tasty treats.

The holidays are the perfect time to spend time with friends and family, plus enjoy seasonal flavors and tasty sweets. Obviously, this year it's going to be a little different due to COVID, but you can still enjoy the holidays with these delicious treats and lots of Zoom calls to loved ones. Happy Holidays!

#SpoonTip: Prices may be subject to change, and taxes are not including in the prices for the treats listed above.