Cape Coral Living

Yummy in Your Tummy!

Some of us wait a year for a delicious holiday treat, gear up now

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While kids might be wondering what’s under the tree, others of us dream what’s under that pastry-box lid. We’ve made a short list of select bakeries in Southwest Florida that bring us scrumptiou­s holiday goodies. NORMAN LOVE CONFECTION­S,

Fort Myers (other locations) Norman Love has been producing delicious treats in Fort Myers since 2001, and was named best premium chocolate company in the United States six times since 2006. The company is also known for its holiday treats that bring back memories. “Often, taste is tied to tradition, so it’s not surprising that our holiday flavors bring up cherished memories of roasting s’mores around the fire with family or fresh-baked gingerbrea­d,” says Norman Love, the founder and owner of Norman Love Confection­s. “Every year, we create holiday flavors that symbolize the season, with a Norman Love twist. This year, the reindeer theme brings a fun, whimsical feel to our holiday collection.” Look for everything from Santa and his reindeer chocolates, to chocolate peppermint bark to holiday Yule logs. Plan to order ahead. PINOCCHIO’S & GEPPETTO’S, Sanibel With many “best of the islands” awards, the ice cream shop earned national recognitio­n when it was listed on National Geographic’s “The 10 Best of Everything Families” ice cream category for the Gulf Coast region of America. Residents and visitors alike enjoy going to Pinocchio's, which is adorned with bright colors and a nouveau European charm. The display cases present the rotating renditions of the 137-flavor repertoire, another counter at the opposite end of the store called Geppetto’s, a foodie’s delight where French and Italian influences converge. “We fly in croissant and baguette dough from France,” says Donna Puma, co-owner with her husband, Tom. She visited Paris frequently in her former corporate capacity. “We make Cuban coffee. We also do a French press to go. We stuff our croissants with ham and Swiss cheese and we bake three cheese quiches." For the season, try their Holiday Staple! Pinocchio’s Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream With Geppetto’s Handcrafte­d Gingersnap Cookies.

ROYAL SCOOP HOMEMADE ICE CREAM,

Bonita Springs (other locations) In Southwest Florida, cooling off with a delicious homemade ice cream cone at Royal Scoop is something that can be enjoyed year round. However, during holiday months we get such fun treats as Georgia Pecan Sweet Potato Swirl, a creamy ice cream with a thick marshmallo­w swirl and roasted pecans. “We also have a few other popular favorites [such as] The Evidence of a Reindeer, which is a white mint-flavored ice cream with a yellow marshmallo­w swirl and fudge-brownie chunk, and Christmas Chimney Sweep, a peppermint­stick ice cream loaded with crushed Oreo cookies,” says owner David Zimmerman. Additional­ly, Royal Scoop also carries pumpkin ice cream starting Oct. 1 through the holidays, along with creamy eggnog ice cream in late November. “We’ll likely come up with a few more fun flavors before the holidays!” says Zimmermann.

LADYCAKES BAKERY,

Cape Coral This boutique bakery from midDecembe­r through Christmas creates batches of heavenly sugar and gingerbrea­d cookies. Locals and returning snowbirds will stop in for a fix of cookies, but also for the lush cupcakes, custom cakes and gourmet baked goodies. “Great stocking stuffers or as a treat for Santa Claus and his

reindeer,” the bakery’s co-owner, Bess Charles, says of the cookies. For more than a dozen cookies, call a week ahead.

MIKKELSEN’S PASTRY SHOP,

Naples This establishm­ent over the year bakes delicious cookies, cakes and pies. But during the holidays there are more tasty treats on the menu. “We have decorated cookies, pumpkin cheesecake­s, pumpkin pies, pecan pies and chocolate peppermint cakes, just to name a few,” says co-owner Elizabeth Mikkelsen. Some of the treats are ready-to-eat, and some serve as a centerpiec­e, such as the shop’s Yule log surrounded by iced sugar cookies. Plan to order ahead.

SANIBEL SWEET SHOPPE,

Sanibel This family-owned shop over the year offers handmade Belgian chocolates, homemade fresh fudge and baked goods—in-house and from scratch. During the holiday season, there are more favorites. “We have peppermint bark that’s made with milk/white chocolate or dark/white Belgian chocolate, along with a variety of fudges like candy cane and pumpkin,” says co-owner Beth Musser. “We also have buckeye candies that are peanut-butter balls dipped in chocolate,” adds Tim Musser, also a co-owner. In addition to their delicious candies, the shop offers holiday yummies such as snowball, pumpkin and decorated sugar cookies, as well as gingerbrea­d men/women. Holiday cupcakes include chocolate/peppermint, carrot cake, pumpkin and other seasonal flavors. Yum, yum and more yum!

Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida writer and a regular contributo­r to TOTI Media.

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 ??  ?? Royal Scoop makes Christmas Chimney Sweep, a peppermint-stick ice cream loaded with crushed Oreo cookies.
Royal Scoop makes Christmas Chimney Sweep, a peppermint-stick ice cream loaded with crushed Oreo cookies.
 ??  ?? Norman Love Confection­s offers Buche de Noel, or Holiday Yule Logs.
Norman Love Confection­s offers Buche de Noel, or Holiday Yule Logs.
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 ??  ?? Donna and Tom Puma (bottom) have added their own style and with their delicious delights they are well-known.
Donna and Tom Puma (bottom) have added their own style and with their delicious delights they are well-known.

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