When December arrives in Colorado, locals know exactly where to find the best cookies for holiday gatherings and cozy winter nights.
These hidden bakeries and sweet shops scattered across the state offer incredible treats that often sell out weeks before Christmas.
From mountain towns to city neighborhoods, each spot has earned a loyal following thanks to their exceptional baked goods and festive seasonal offerings that make the holidays truly special.
1. Duffeyroll Cafe (Various Locations, Denver)
Most people recognize this Denver favorite for their famous cinnamon rolls, but locals guard the secret of their incredible cookies like a family recipe.
The holiday boxes filled with spiced seasonal cookies have become legendary traditions for Christmas morning celebrations throughout the metro area.
Their bars and lesser-known cookie varieties fly off the shelves faster than you can say “sugar cookie.” Each December, regulars place orders early because these treats disappear quickly. The combination of creative flavors and reliable quality keeps families coming back year after year for their holiday dessert tables.
2. The Long I Pie Shop (Curtis Park, Denver)
Tucked inside a charming historic building, this Curtis Park gem specializes in pies but harbors a delicious secret. Their handheld pie cookies and buttery shortbreads steal the show at holiday dessert platters across Denver neighborhoods.
During December, the shop becomes command central for custom holiday orders. Locals know to call weeks ahead because the massive cookie and pie spreads sell out fast. The bakers create beautiful arrangements perfect for family gatherings and office parties.
Walking through the door feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen, complete with the smell of fresh-baked goodness filling every corner.
3. Sweet Action Ice Cream (South Broadway, Denver)
Everyone knows Sweet Action for their creative ice cream flavors, but the real insiders come for something completely different.
The cookies they bake for ice cream sandwiches are absolutely phenomenal on their own, and smart locals stock up during the holidays.
December brings special cookie-only packs featuring flavors like Peppermint Chocolate Chip and Gingerbread that disappear within hours. These aren’t your typical store-bought cookies—each one is thick, chewy, and loaded with flavor. The shop often announces limited batches on social media, causing regulars to rush over before they vanish completely.
4. Mary’s Mountain Cookies (Fort Collins & Estes Park)
With modest storefronts in Fort Collins and Estes Park, this local favorite survives on word-of-mouth from university students and longtime residents. The cookies here are massive, chunky, and absolutely loaded with mix-ins that make every bite an adventure.
Come December, the real magic happens with their shareable holiday cookie cakes. These enormous creations feed entire families and feature festive frosting designs that brighten any celebration.
The frosted cutout cookies become instant Instagram stars while tasting even better than they look, making them perfect gifts for teachers and neighbors throughout the holiday season.
5. Butterhorn Bakery and Cafe (Frisco)
Lines stretch out the door at this Frisco institution, where breakfast pastries normally steal the spotlight. But Summit County residents know December transforms the entire counter into a wonderland of holiday cookies.
Gingerbread men stand at attention beside elaborate yule logs and sugar cookies decorated with incredible detail. Each piece looks almost too beautiful to eat, though nobody manages to resist for long. Local families have made purchasing these treats an annual tradition, often ordering special batches for their holiday parties.
The mountain atmosphere adds extra charm to every visit during the snowy season.
6. Paradise Bakery & Cafe (Aspen)
While tourists crowd Aspen’s famous restaurants, locals slip into Paradise Bakery’s side counter for something simpler and more satisfying. The massive cookies and brownies here provide comfort food that balances out all the holiday glamour surrounding this mountain town.
Their chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies reign supreme, offering straightforward deliciousness without fancy frills.
December brings steady streams of residents who fuel their holiday shopping and skiing adventures with these treats. The downtown location makes it easy to grab a quick cookie between errands, and the quality never disappoints even the pickiest sweet tooth.
7. Jermaine’s (Gunnison)
In tiny Gunnison, Jermaine’s serves as the year-round dessert headquarters for everyone within driving distance. This local institution offers ice cream in summer and an impressive variety of baked treats when snow blankets the mountains.
Residents depend on this spot for fresh, homemade holiday cookies and specialty bars that fill out their Christmas dessert trays.
The selection changes regularly, keeping regular customers excited about each visit. Families trust Jermaine’s to deliver consistent quality and creative flavors that make their holiday celebrations memorable without requiring hours in the kitchen.
8. Little London Cake Shop (Colorado Springs)
Custom cakes dominate the business at this family-owned Colorado Springs bakery, but their display case holds treasures that smart locals never overlook. The smaller treats tucked alongside those elaborate cakes represent some of the best baking in town.
December transforms this shop into Christmas cookie central, with incredibly detailed sugar cookies that become edible centerpieces for holiday parties. Each cookie features meticulous decoration that rivals professional artwork. Families order custom batches featuring personalized designs, making gifts that recipients actually remember.
The attention to detail reflects genuine pride in every creation that leaves this kitchen.
9. Dutch Girl Bakery (Colorado Springs)
Step into Dutch Girl Bakery and travel back to 1960s Colorado, when this beloved institution first opened its doors. The old-school atmosphere hasn’t changed much over the decades, and loyal customers wouldn’t have it any other way.
Traditional shortbread and butter cookies dominate the December offerings, evoking nostalgic memories of grandma’s Christmas kitchen. These aren’t trendy or experimental; they’re classic recipes executed perfectly every single time.
Generations of Colorado Springs families have built holiday traditions around these timeless treats, passing down the tradition of visiting this bakery each December like treasured family heirlooms.
10. Heirloom Custom Cakes and Desserts (Pueblo)
Unless you know someone in Pueblo who bakes seriously, you might never discover this special-order focused bakery. The walk-in selection stays intentionally limited, making Heirloom a true insider secret that requires local knowledge to appreciate fully.
During the holidays, Pueblo residents place orders for elegant, high-quality seasonal desserts that elevate any celebration.
The fancy holiday sandwich cookies and biscotti showcase sophisticated flavors and beautiful presentation that impress even difficult-to-please relatives. Each creation reflects careful attention to ingredients and technique, resulting in desserts that taste as remarkable as they look on your holiday table.
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