The insanely rich chocolate-cherry Challah bread – dark Belgium chocolate and sweet cherries in buttery, brioche-type dough – only comes but once a year at this heavenly Hillcrest bakery. Other yuletide fare includes handmade holiday cookies in flavors like white chocolate macadamia and Breton sablè with crystallized sugar. While the traditional Italian Panettone, made fresh daily using an assortment of candied and crystalized fruit, raisins and ricotta cheese, is also not to be missed.

The artisan bakers at Liberty Station will be featuring a seasonal cranberry gingerbread scone throughout December. Made with sweetened fresh cranberry, candied ginger and molasses the festive goodies will be baked every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. In addition, Epi Wreaths, a Dresden Stollen made with dried cherries and apricot soaked in rum and house made rum infused almond paste, and an apricot Panettone will also be available.

While Bonita’s veteran dessert shop isn’t releasing their official holiday menu until later this week, we have it on good authority cookies dipped in white chocolate and a festive Yule log will be featured. Their world famous strudels never go amiss at this time of year, and include Black Forest with cherry filling, mocha with chocolate fudge, and apple in puff pastry – topped with lashings of delicious Bavarian cream. Pro Tip: With long lines out the door on Christmas Eve don't wait until the last minute to place your orders.

The innovative cookie company just unveiled their delicious seasonal 'from scratch' Christmas cookie lineup. Holiday flavors include eggnog, rocky road, Baileys Irish Cream, peppermint bark, cranberry streusel and butterscotch oatmeal. A perfect gift for the co-workers, friends or family these gourmet biscuits come boxed in either one or two dozen ($25.95/$49.95) batches.

Known for its delectable pastries this Pacific Beach bistro is offering up a slew of European style treats for Christmas. Holiday items include classic gingerbread houses (small, medium, large), a Buche de Noel (Christmas log cake), and Croquembouche - a French dessert consisting of choux pastry balls piled into a cone bound with threads of caramel. Holiday cookie trays and plates will also be available. Call ahead for pricing and special orders.

While this cult Korean bakery chain might be the Kearny Mesa go-to for éclairs, croissants and other delectable French-style pastries, they will also be offering a special limited edition Christmas cake for the holidays. While details were still being confirmed for 2015, their special edition Christmas cappuccino cake was a real crowd pleaser last year. In the meantime you can't go wrong with either their mocha chiffon or decadent tiramisu.

La Jolla’s premier dessert maven has an array of festive treats for the Christmas season including a rum eggnog cheesecake ($65) and Kringle – a specialty Danish sweet bread pastry filled with almonds, cinnamon and marzipan ($45). A classic Buches de Noel ($75) and gingerbread people cookies ($4) decorated with icing and dipped in chocolate, plus mini cakes ($24/dozen, minimum order), like German chocolate topped with gold and copper dust, and Amarena cherry will also be available throughout December.

Thanks to Little Italy’s hip plant-based eatery those of you adhering to a vegan or gluten free diet can enjoy a little sin-free indulgence over the holidays. With any of Café Gratitude’s in-house desserts available to order, just take your pick from the 'Irresistible' coconut cream pie (coconut custard, dark chocolate swirl, date crust); the 'Adoring' signature tiramisu (raw almond biscuit, coconut cashew cream, espresso, raw cacao), or 'Rapture' raw seasonal layer cake (orange & cranberry), which all cost $65 a piece.

Starting today through December 24, Café 21 (Gaslamp location only) will have a Christmas cookie board set up offering a variety of 10 plus cookies made from scratch daily. The special holiday ‘cookie board package’ will include 5-7 different cookies and a cup housemade hot chocolate, milk or almond milk for $10. Flavors change daily and may include pistachio, coconut macaroons made from fresh coconuts, madeleines, nougat and chocolate chip.

Known for its decadent French-inspired desserts this Euro-chic café will be offering several treats throughout December. In addition to gingerbread macaroons three different flavors of Christmas log cake will also be available: hazelnut biscuit, milk chocolate mousse and milk chocolate cream; almond biscuit with mixed berry puree and dark chocolate mousse; almond biscuit fresh berries and vanilla cream custard. Available for pre-order they cost $45 each and will only be available for pick up the week of Christmas.