As the season of joy and celebration approaches, it’s time to elevate your festive gatherings with the perfect union of Co-op desserts and wines and spirits selected by our wine team.
In our holiday dessert pairing guide, we’ve curated an array of desserts, from classic favorites to inventive confections and paired a delightful beverage. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering, an elegant dinner party, or a cozy night in, our recommendations will ensure that every moment is accompanied by the perfect sip.
Join us on this delicious journey as we uncork the secrets of Co-op holiday dessert and adult beverage pairings. Cheers to a holiday filled with sweet memories and the clink of glasses filled with joy!
Buche de Noël
The Co-op’s Buche de Noël, is a seasonal favorite that is only available for a limited time over the holidays, and quickly sells out. The Co-op’s Buche de Noël is a moist vanilla sponge cake with a whipped cream-based filling shaped and decorated to resemble a log with edible decorations.
Pairing: 2020 Kila cava brut
This Spanish Cava presents a wonderful balance of white flowers and citrus. It has a firm, crisp finish. This dry and delicate cava is a delicious and celebratory sparkling wine to serve with your Buche de Noël.
Pecan Pie
The Co-op’s pecan pie can be enjoyed on its own, or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of sweet, nutty, and buttery flavors makes pecan pie a beloved dessert, especially during festive occasions.
Pairing: Chuckanut bay distillery bourbon
Chuckanut Bay Distillery Bourbon is proud to call itself a true Pacific Northwest representation of this quintessential American spirit, made in a “slow-crafted” fashion. Chuckanut Distillery Bourbon is highly nuanced with a light sweetness and a bit of spice from the locally grown rye.
Tiramisu Cake
A tiramisu cake is a delightful dessert that takes inspiration from the classic Italian tiramisu, transforming its flavors into a layered cake form. The Co-op’s delicate vanilla cake is soaked with cold brew coffee and marsala, filled with mascarpone custard, and finished with mascarpone frosting and cocoa powder. A perfect end to a holiday meal.
Pairing: 2022 Domaine Talmard Macon Chardonnay
A non-oaky chardonnay from Burgundy makes a perfect pair with a traditional Italian dessert. The Macon Chardonnay is a luscious fruit-filled wine. It has aromas of lemon drops, white flowers, and citrus for a plush, round wine. The vibrant lemon-tinged acidity and minerality provide balance on the juicy finish.
Winter Wonderland Cake
A rich chocolate cake with whipped cream filling and frosted with a dark chocolate buttercream. It is festively decorated with meringue mushrooms, candied cranberries, pinecones made of almonds, and sugared rosemary sprigs — perfect for your holiday table.
Pairing: 2020 J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2020 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is dense and dark at the core. It pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate Winter Wonderland cake. Ripe fruit aromas of black cherry and currant are accented by notes of toasted pastry, hazelnut, and vanilla from the winery’s extensive barrel aging program. Big, juicy red-fruit flavors infuse the palate while softly textured tannins lead to a long finish.
Pumpkin Pie
traditional, gluten-free, and vegan
The Co-op has perfected a traditional holiday favorite. The Co-op also has gluten-free and vegan pumpkin pies available for the holidays. The lightly-spiced, pumpkin-based filling is set in a flaky pastry pie crust.
Pairing: Barbadillo Cream Sherry
The Barbadillo Cream Sherry from Spain is a full, sweet, and aromatic sherry. It is well rounded, with a dark, mahogany color. It can be served at room temperature or over ice with your pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
traditional and sugar-free
The Co-op has made our traditional tart and creamy cheesecake with pumpkin and spice for the holidays. We have both traditional and sugar-free versions available.
Pairing: 2021 La Petite Perriere Pinot Noir
The southern France La Petite Perriere Pinot Noir pairs well with the creamy pumpkin cheesecake. This pinot noir presents flavors of raspberry, cherry, and blueberry preserves with hints of cinnamon spice.
Caramel Apple Pie
The Co-op bakery team has created this caramel apple pie trifecta of goodness: an all-butter crust, the perfect balance of sweet and tart apple filling dusted with cinnamon, and a streusel topping with a comforting buttery, oaty crunch.
Pairing: 2021 Eden Valley Dry Riesling
This Riesling is a pale straw with green hues and aromas of dried herbs, white flowers, lemon, and lime. It has a long and rich palate, reminiscent of grapefruit, lime, and fresh rosemary. The wine finishes with a soft natural acidity which balances the flavor and pairs with the tart sweetness of the Co-op’s caramel apple pie.
Pot De Crème
The Co-op has made a gluten-free version of the classic French chocolate dessert. Our chocolate pot de crème torte has a light, rich chocolate creme set on a gluten-free graham cracker crust with a hint of molasses and cinnamon.
Pairing: 2005 Quinta Da Romaneira Vintage Porto
This Portugal port has abundant spice and wild Douro flowers notes, fig, mint, black plum, and dark chocolate flavors. It is sweet, full-bodied with a great round tannic structure and balance that ends in a very long and lingering finish. The smooth, rich chocolate from the pot de crème torte brings out the richness of the port.
