Flagstaff's Sweet Spot: December food holidays and where to celebrate in Flag

Get ready to get your sweet on. December is filled with holidays for your sweet tooth from ‘Anything Dipped In Chocolate Day” on the 16^th to egg nog (it’s National Egg Nog Month) to candy canes and maple syrup, to the delight of Buddy the Elf and his kindred spirits. Here’s a look at where to celebrate your sugar-love in Flagstaff this month…

Dec 1: National Pie Day – Start things off right this month with a big slice of pie from Pine Country Restaurant (107 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams). Pies range from traditional flavors like apple, pumpkin and double chocolate to more exotic delights like double butterscotch, banana chocolate peanut butter and Hawaiian delight. Let’s just say it’s a good thing there’s about 30 miles in between Flagstaff and Pine Country for your waistline.

Dec 4: National Cookie Day - Get a cookie alongside your cup o Joe today at Macy's (14 S. Beaver) to celebrate this day. Can’t go wrong with their classic homemade chocolate chip, but then I haven’t met a cookie at Macy’s that I didn’t like.

Dec 9: National Pastry Day – The cinnamon jammers at Bookman’s Café (1520 S Riordan Ranch St) is my new favorite pastry to nosh when I need a sweet treat.

Dec 12: National Cocoa Day – Brandy’s Restaurant and Bakery (1500 E. Cedar Ave #40) makes a mean hot cocoa. Try their Mexican spiced hot cocoa with steamed milk served up piled high with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg. Add a little extra buzz by adding espresso and order the Baja Mocha.  Or go for the white chocolate mocha made with white chocolate, steamed milk and espresso drizzled with dark chocolate.

Dec 17: National Maple Syrup Day – Buddy the Elf’s favorite day of the year, after Christmas, I’m sure. Enjoy flapjacks covered in maple syrup at the Mormon Lake Lodge Steakhouse (Main Street, Mormon Lake), then go for one of their guided snowmobile rides though the beautiful winter trails (if there’s enough snow by then).

Dec 20: National Sangria Day – This one is sure to take a bite out of holiday stress. Head to The Lumberyard. They have a refreshingly different white sangria made with white wine topped with whole grapes, lemon slices and a splash of apple juice. They also offer a twist on a traditional sangria sans brandy but instead has blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and a splash of lemon-lime soda.

Dec 25: Christmas – While not an official “food holiday,” Christmas is a day in which eating with your family can create lots of joyful “sweet” memories. Do so, without dirty dishes at the Little America Hotel (2515 E Butler), which is serving up their annual champagne brunch from 9a-2p. They’re also hosting a four course prix fixe Christmas Dinner from 5-9pm. Call for more info: 779-7900.

Dec 26: National Candy Cane Day – Brookside Chocolate Company (120 N Leroux) makes Oreos dipped in white chocolate and crushed candy canes that is sure to fill your sweet tooth quota of the day. Hopefully they’ll have some left after Christmas rolls around.

Get more December food holiday info from TheNibble.com.

This story was originally written for Flagstaff Live!