Haute Halloween Treats
While we think you’re never too old for Halloween, let’s face it — Tootsie Rolls and Candy Corn can seem more like tricks than treats to our refined, adult palates. So why not have it both ways this holiday, by indulging in a few, haute Halloween sweets at shops, like L.A. Burdick and Papabubble? And be sure to check out the celebratory desserts at local restaurants as well, such as during the Dia de los Muertos celebration at Dos Caminos, and an all-chocolate dinner by Jacques Torres, at Café SFA in Saks!
Francois Payard Bakery
Francois Payard may be one of the most respected pastry chefs in the world, but that doesn’t mean he’s above a bit of Halloween fun. Fall flavors and holiday designs add a jolt of flair to artfully crafted creations, such as Pumpkin Spice Macarons, Ghost Lollipops, Chocolate Skulls, Jack-o-Lantern-patterned Caramel Tablets, and a party ready Jack-o-Lantern Cake; pumpkin spice pound cake layered with five-spice bavarois and pumpkin crème brûlée.
Read MoreL.A. Burdick
The Flatiron branch of this New Hampshire-based chocolatier is one of our favorite stops during winter, for their supremely rich and thick mugs of Hot Drinking Chocolate. But they’re worth your attention this autumn, too, for their extensive selection of deliciously spooky Halloween treats, including Coffin-shaped boxes filled with White Chocolate Ghosts and seasonal, Half Moon-shaped Bon Bons, concealing an apple-scented Calvados Ganache.
Read MorePapabubble
Open since 2007, this SoHo shop specializes in handcrafted, multi-flavored candies made of malleable blobs of molten sugar, cut into cylindrical, bite-sized pieces. This Halloween, check out the Candy Corn-shaped Monos (tiny, spun sugar tablets) packed into a test tube or a flask, or Papabubble’s holiday mix; blueberry, orange, passionfruit and vanilla candies, patterned with cartoon ghosts, grinning pumpkins, and phrases like “Trick or Treat” and “Boo”!
Read MoreJohn & Kira’s
Although they’re based in Philly, this gourmet chocolate shop has a well-liked stand at Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg, selling candies flavored with mint grown in an urban school garden, honey obtained from a family-run apiary, lemongrass from a biodynamic farm preserve, and shade-grown Fair Trade coffee. Expect them to extend their sustainable sourcing practices to their Halloween treats as well, including Chocolate Spiced Caramel Pumpkins, Cinnamon Cardamom Chocolate Apples, and a black and orange box of signature Truffles.
Read MoreTribeca Treats
Cupcakes, Cookies, Brownies and more get the Halloween treatment at this cheerful Tribeca bakery (a special gift tin includes cute frosted witches, bats, cats and moons, along with festive Chocolate Truffles and Caramels), but we’re especially into the White Chocolate-dipped Pretzel Rods this holiday season, fashioned to look like spooky, sugary ghosts.
Read MoreTreats House
They sell mostly Rice Krispie Treats at this Upper West Side sweet shop, but goodness knows, they aren’t your average, unadorned marshmallow squares. In addition to regular offerings such as Red Velvet, Bubblegum, Chocolate Mint and Caramel Sea Salt, they’re also serving a number of Halloween specials, including Pumpkin Spice, topped with black and orange sprinkles and a small candy pumpkin.
Read MoreCafé SFA
Saks Fifth Avenue recently teamed up with famed chocolatier, Jacques Torres, to offer his sweet confections and ice creams to shoppers (check out his Wicked Hot Chocolate, and Jack-O-Lantern-shaped candy puzzles). And this Halloween, in-house chef Alex Reyes will collaborate on a special “Night Before Halloween” event with Torres as well, serving a decadent, four-course, all-chocolate dinner. Look for a Dark Chocolate Cured Foie Gras Torchon, White Chocolate and Vermouth Sorbet, Cocoa Nib and Ancho Chile-Crusted Venison and more!
Read MoreDos Caminos
The popular Mexican restaurant chain, Dos Caminos, is celebrating el Dios de los Muertos with specials all Halloween weekend long, including a Gato Negro cocktail with Espolon Blanco tequila, black currant liqueur and fresh lime juice, and a Warm Soft Devil’s Food Cake, topped with black walnut black cherry swirl ice cream and ancho chile brittle. Additionally, Executive Chef Ivy Stark will lead a Day of the Dead cooking class on Saturday, November 1st, teaching participants how to prepare Beef Short Ribs in Mole Negro, Candied Pumpkin Sundaes, and Mexican Sugar Skulls at home!
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