Ten Indulgent Festive Treats to Track Down in Auckland

And so this is Christmas — that one time of the year when it's entirely acceptable to stuff yourself silly. There are countless seasonal treats on offer this year to make your holiday feast a magical one, or help you fill the gap between courses. From beautiful yuletide houses made from chocolate to profiterole wreaths and traditional European fruit breads — here are ten indulgent treats you should track down before the big man in red comes a-knocking.

CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS HOUSES AT MIANN

Auckland's much-loved chocolate factory Miann is pumping out an array of mouthwatering treats this Christmas. The company's chocolate Christmas houses are the perfect gift for the chocolate lover, or could be the stunning centrepiece to complete your festive dinner setting. They are constructed entirely of chocolate and available in three varieties: dark chocolate, milk chocolate and caramelised white chocolate.

FREE-RANGE EGG PAVLOVA AT AMANO

GERMAN STOLLEN AT DAILY BREAD

Traditional mince pies and the festive fruit breads of Italy and Germany make up the Christmas creations of Daily Bread. The stollen is a German fruit bread with an almond marzipan core, loaded with fruit and candied peel. And you won't need to eat Daily Bread's one-kilogram creation at once — it apparently lasts three weeks.

DEER MILK GELATO AT LITTLE 'LATO

Award-winning gelato makers Little 'Lato have a range of Christmas flavours this year. 'Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer' is the world's first deer milk gelato and will be available up until Christmas Eve at all Auckland and Coromandel locations. The 'Christmas Pudding' is creamy spiced gelato with chunks of pud and glazed cherry topping, and the chocolate mint sorbet is a decadent vegan option topped with pieces of candy cane. Find the store at Wynyard Quarter, Kohi Beach, Orewa Beach and Hahei Beach.

CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS AT CLIPPER

Just in time for the silly season, Ponsonby bar Clipper has transformed into a Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up. The festive cocktail selection from Barney Toy includes a chocolate orange martini, a Christmas mince pie old fashioned as rich as figgy pudding, a cold brew Scotch coffee with hints of nutmeg, and a decadent sipper described as 'liquid pavlova'. There will also be daily specials from the Christmas Cocktail Advent from 13 to 24 December and non-alcoholic options.

CHRISTMAS WREATH CHOUX PROFITEROLE AT LITTLE FRENCH PASTRY

One of the highlights from Little French Pastry's holiday selection is a wreath combining little choux puff baubles. The profiteroles come in five signature flavours: Heilala vanilla and pistachio, creme brûlée with caramel brittle, raspberry and freeze-dried berry crumble, strawberry and Lewis Road cream, and the chocolate hazelnut. The creation is a collab with designer and stylist Fiona Hugues. Also up for grabs: summer berry logs, Santa hat entremet cakes and macarons.

XMAS CAKE AT LITTLE & FRIDAY

Almond marzipan also makes an appearance in icing form on Little & Friday's Xmas cakes. The rich and boozy fruit cakes are decorated with dried fruit, nuts, star anise and then drizzled with manuka honey. They come in three sizes and will set you back $50 for the 500-gram slice or $120 for a two-kilogram slab.

BUCHE AUX FRAMBOISES AT LA PETITE FOURCHETTE

For a striking Christmas dessert how about the Bûche aux Framboises from La Petite Fourchette? The patisserie has taken the traditional raspberry log and enhanced it with almond mousse, génoise, raspberry crémeux and raspberry croustillant. There's a version for chocolate lovers, too, as well as Christmas pies and Viennese pastries which you can keep them frozen until the big day. You'll need to give at least 72 hours notice for the log.

FESTIVE TREATS AT BLUEBELLS CAKERY

Whether you're looking for a Christmas gift or something delicious to leave out for Santa, Bluebells Cakery will have you covered with its range of festive treats. There's everything from printed macarons to cupcakes, melting moments, white chocolate rocky road and fruit cakes available in classy gift packaging. And for those who are particularly hard to buy for, there are gift vouchers, too.

CHRISTMAS CAKE ICE CREAM AT GIAPO

Living up to it mantra that 'normal ice cream is boring', inventive ice cream makers Giapo have gone and stuffed a slice of boozy fruit cake into a cone. The creation is then topped with ice cream and decorated with dried fruits and nuts. Giapo insists it's a cake and not an ice cream. There are limited quantities and pre-ordering is a must.

Top image: Miann Chocolate Factory and Store.