From top, L to R: 3 Tiers, Patisserie 46, A Piece of Cake, Cake Eater Bakery, Patisserie Margo, Turtle Bread, Finnish Bistro, It Takes the Cake, The Avalon Teashop, Butter Bakery, Bars BakeryPositive thinking guru Norman Vincent Peale once famously intoned that, "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
Rev. Peale obviously never saw the wreckage that is my kitchen after several rounds of Christmas cookie baking. Which is why I was so relieved to discover that plenty of Twin Cities bakeries stand ready to take the heat off frazzled December bakers, stocking their cases with all manner of holiday favorites.
At 3 Tiers the case is filled with a variety of holiday lovelies. But it's the chocolate crinkles (No. 1, $1) that really impress. While they're gooey inside, they've got that hard-to-achieve crisp shell on the outside, with all that chocolate-y goodness buried under a powdered-sugar blizzard. 5011 34th Av. S., Mpls., 612-746-1767.
The classic diamants at Patisserie 46 are a year-round staple, yet they seem so Christmas-y that they practically go caroling themselves. The coin-shaped chocolate cookies (No. 2, 95 cents) are utter simplicity, each sinfully buttery treat glistening with coarse sugar. Is it possible to sneak just one? Doubtful. 4552 Grand Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-3257.
The grandmotherly Christmas cookie selection at A Piece of Cake is not only heartwarming, it's priced to sell. The don't-miss goodie is definitely the star-shaped sandwich cookie (No. 3, $1) built with that can't-miss combination of chocolate and mint. 485 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-846-0016.
The folks at Cake Eater Bakery and Cafe aren't exactly slouches in the cookie-making department. Witness their crisp, golden, melt-in-your mouth sugar cookies (No. 4, $1), iced with a pretty snowflake and sparkling with ice crystal-like sugar. 2929 E. 25th St., Mpls., 612-354-7178.
Patisserie Margo's No. 1 eye-catcher is what has to be the Twin Cities' prettiest sugar cookie cutout (No. 5, $2), a gigantic, intricate snowflake that will put a smile on even the most blizzard-weary Minnesotan. 5133 Gus Young Lane, Edina, 952-926-0548, and 284 Water St., Excelsior, 952-746-2232.
The talented bakers at the Turtle Bread Co. turn out a tender, star-shaped almond-cinnamon cutout, finished with tangy apricot filling and criss-crossed with a grid of vanilla icing (No. 6, $1.50). 4762 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., 612-823-7333; 3421 W. 44th St., Mpls., 612-924-6013; and 120 S. 6th St., Mpls., 612-455-2552.