By Kelly Nicholaides
Bakeries and pastry shops across Kearny are serving up winter holiday favorites—from fruity pastries and flavorful Tres Leches cakes to festive cookies and more. Whether Portuguese, Brazilian, or classic sweets, these treats are sure to be a hit at any party or perfect to enjoy on the go.
Arcos Pastry
Holiday specialties are made slowly and meant to be savored. Call ahead for availability of Three Kings Cake, a blend of sweet dough, dried fruit, and raisins made to celebrate the new year and Three Kings Day on Jan. 6. The Pastel de Nata (Portuguese custard tart) is a traditional delicacy frequently featured in holiday baking. It includes a sprinkle of cinnamon, a flaky crust, and creamy culture. “It’s more than a pastry, it’s heritage in every bite,” according to their Instagram. The Caramujo features golden, crisp layers and silky custard with a cherry on top.
401 Kearny Ave. 201-997-7557 Find them on Instagram: arcospastry
Curiosity by Nest
Curiosity by Nest teamed up with Cookies by Maya to offer a Santa Set Christmas Cookie class, Dec. 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m. The $60 fee includes piping practice with Royal Icing, discussion about how to strategize the best ways to decorate sugar cookies, and the general concepts around dough and icing. Supplies provided. Bring an apron and a smile. “Yule” love getting Santa ready for his big day with this fun six-cookie, four-icing class. You’ll leave class with a great understanding of the basics of sugar cookies, plus a few cool techniques. Click here to register.
161 Midland Ave.; Find them on Instagram: Curiositybynest
Domingos Bakery and Restaurant
Domingos Bakery and Restaurant is known for Venezuelan Christmas bread and made-from-scratch cakes. Yelpers love their fruit tarts, arepas, horn pastries, pan de jamon (ham bread), and passion fruit Tres Leches cake. The traditional Latin American dessert is a sponge or butter cake soaked in a sweet mix of three types of milk, resulting in a moist, rich pudding consistency. Reviews praise the taste, quality, and presentation. Seasonal favorites also include pumpkin pies, cinnamon-spiced breads, gingerbread houses, and Christmas cookies. Find them on Instagram: @domingosbakery
292 Kearny Ave., 201-428-1904
Mina’s Café
Mina’s Café is counting down the days until Christmas with desserts like their popular mini cakes with chocolate-on-chocolate or carrot/chocolate. Others include flan and chocolate and vanilla pop bite-sized cake snowmen. Pastel de la Felicidad cake has a creamy chocolate base with grapes and tres leches. Coconut desserts and passion fruit mousse are also in demand during Christmas.
261 Kearny Ave.; 201-428-9577 Find them on Instagram: Minascafeusa
Tres Leches Bakery & Café
Tres Leches Bakery & Café offers “a slice of heaven in every bite.” The must-have melt-in-your-mouth Tres Leches cakes options for the holidays include strawberry, pineapple, coconut, and chocolate with dulce de leche extreme sweetness inside. Party Tres Leches combos include cakes, savory bites, passion fruit mousse, Alfajores, and Brigadeiros.
868 Kearny Ave. 201-998-0702
