The winter holiday season is one of the busiest and most profitable times of the year for restaurants, bakeries, and cafés. It’s a season of celebration, warmth, and indulgence — when customers crave comforting flavors, festive treats, and memorable dining experiences.
Whether your customers celebrate Christmas, Rosca de Reyes, Hanukkah, or New Year’s Eve, each holiday brings its own culinary traditions and expectations. For foodservice operators, this is more than just a festive period — it’s a chance to strengthen your brand, boost sales, and create lasting impressions.
To make the most of the season, start early by planning menus, ordering essential supplies, and launching creative promotions. This guide outlines proven strategies to help your business thrive during the holidays.
Traditional Winter Holiday Celebration Baked Goods
Before planning your inventory or promotions, understand what each winter holiday tradition baked good is sought by your customers, and how your menu can reflect these traditions.
Christmas
Popular traditional Christmas baked goods include gingerbread cookies, fruitcakes, yule logs, and peppermint brownies. In cafés, warm cinnamon rolls drizzled with glaze icing and topped with plump cranberries and raisins help create a cozy Christmas atmosphere. Restaurants often serve traditional mincemeat pies, adding a nostalgic touch to holiday menus. To elevate the Christmas tradition, consider offering gingerbread cheesecake, mincemeat hand pies, a Neapolitan yule log, or a peppermint chocolate bundt cake for a modern twist on classic favorites.
Hanukkah
The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, is celebrated with foods fried in oil, symbolizing the miracle of the menorah’s lasting light. Sweet favorites include sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), which are also often filled with custard, chocolate cream, or other sweet fillings. Another beloved treat is rugelach, a rolled, crescent-shaped cookie with rich fillings such as nuts, fruit, or chocolate. Cookies shaped like dreidels and menorahs are also popular during this holiday, as is lekach, a dense and flavorful honey cake.
Rosca de Reyes — the “King’s Ring” — is a cherished tradition in Mexico and throughout Latin America. This ring-shaped sweet bread, decorated with colorful candied fruits and containing a hidden figurine, celebrates the visit of the Three Wise Men. Offering a limited-edition Rosca de Reyes in early November can help extend holiday sales beyond Christmas and New Year’s.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is synonymous with sparkle, celebration, and indulgence, marking the grand finale of the holiday season. Mini desserts and bite-sized appetizers are perennial favorites, offering a touch of luxury without interrupting the festivities. Bakeries and restaurants can embrace this spirit with champagne flavor infused treats, such as cupcakes, macarons, or mousse cups that capture the essence of midnight toast. Gold-dusted truffles, glittered cupcakes, and petit fours adorned with edible pearls create a glamorous dessert display that catches the eye and the camera. Savory bites like gourmet tartlets, smoked salmon canapés, and cheese-filled pastries balance the sweetness and appeal to a wide range of tastes. For catering and retail, festive platters designed for sharing—filled with assorted mini pastries, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and sparkling drink pairings—offer convenience and sophistication.
Stock Up on Essential Holiday Supplies
Preparation is key during the winter rush. Running out of ingredients or packaging can cause frustration and lost revenue.
Holiday Supply Checklist:
- High-quality flour and baking ingredients for cakes, pastries, and breads
- Fresh eggs from trusted sources — such as Buchmann Eggs, San Diego’s Premier Distributor
- Butter, sugar, and dairy products for baking
- Specialty ingredients like candied fruits, nuts, chocolates, and sprinkles
- Window boxes, Rosca De Reyes boxes, and clear containers for festive presentation
- Eco-friendly packaging for takeout and delivery
- Food-safe gloves, trays, and storage containers for high-volume production
By pre-ordering supplies early, you’ll avoid shortages, ensure consistency, and deliver a seamless experience for your customers.
Trending Holiday Desserts and Menu Inspiration
Stay ahead of the competition with trending desserts that blend nostalgia and innovation. For 2025, consumers are drawn to modern twists on classics and visually stunning treats perfect for social media.
Try adding these to your menu:
- Hot Cocoa Cheesecake Bars – trendy and easy for catering orders
- Mini Bundt Cakes and Dessert Samplers – great for hostess gift boxes
- Holiday Macarons – eggnog, peppermint, and gingerbread flavors to add to any platter
- Rosca de Reyes Mini Cakes – a modern take on a traditional favorite
- Hanukkah Donuts with a twist – fill with Nutella, dulce de leche, or mango filling
- New Year’s “Sparkle” Cupcakes – top with crystal sugar for an added touch
These desserts not only delight customers but also increase your average order value when paired with premium packaging.
Creative Holiday Packaging Ideas
Presentation sells. The right packaging enhances your brand, drives impulse purchases, and makes your treats gift-ready.
Packaging Inspiration:
- Clear window boxes for showcasing pastries and cakes
- Reusable tins and jars for cookies and candies
- Eco-friendly kraft boxes with branded ribbons or stickers
- Compartment trays for assorted platters
- Festive paper cups and sleeves for seasonal drinks
- Mini dessert boxes for grab-and-go sales
Buchmann Bakery & Restaurant Supply carries a wide range of packaging, both functional and eco-friendly, waiting for your decorative touch and branded sticker.
Promote Your Seasonal Specials
Once your shelves are stocked, focus on attracting customers through creative promotions.
Ideas to boost engagement:
- Create themed menus for each holiday
- Share eye-catching dessert photos and videos on social media
- Promote pre-orders for Rosca de Reyes and limited-time treats
- Offer loyalty rewards or holiday gift cards
- Collaborate with local businesses for cross-promotions
These strategies generate buzz, drive repeat visits, and help you maintain momentum into the new year.
Operational Tips for a Smooth Season
- Use past data to forecast holiday demand
- Schedule extra staff for peak days
- Finalize marketing materials by late November
- Test your website and online ordering system
- Stock extra packaging for last-minute orders
- Encourage pre-orders to manage inventory efficiently
Partner with Buchmann Bakery & Restaurant Supply
Your holiday success starts with reliable ingredients and supplies. Buchmann Bakery & Restaurant Supply, proudly serving San Diego and surrounding areas, offers premium ingredients, packaging, and essentials designed for cafés, bakeries, and restaurants.
From fresh eggs and flour to eco-friendly boxes and containers, Buchmann helps ensure your business is ready for the season. Order early to avoid shortages and deliver outstanding results every time.
Celebrate the Season with Preparation and Purpose
Want to attract more customers this winter? Start with early planning, creative marketing, and irresistible holiday desserts that capture the spirit of the season.
From chocolate for Hanukkah to candied fruit for Rosca de Reyes, Buchmann Bakery & Restaurant Supply has everything your business needs to create signature holiday offerings that delight your customers and celebrate every tradition.
Order your seasonal supplies today — and make this your most successful holiday season yet.
For more tips, ideas and news, subscribe to our monthly newsletter at www.buchmannegg.com and go to our Trends tab for our “On The Rise” informational blogs. Buchmann Bakery & Restaurant Supply is a San Diego based food service distributor. 619-443-6875 / sales@buchmannegg.com