{"id":3234,"date":"2024-12-17T14:58:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T22:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=3234"},"modified":"2024-12-29T16:13:27","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T00:13:27","slug":"holiday-countdown-santa-cruz-county-foodie-shopping-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=3234","title":{"rendered":"Holiday countdown: Santa Cruz County foodie shopping guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Spontaneous Confections Mini Tart Trio (apricot pistachio, fudge brownie, lemon meringue)
purchased at a June popup
photo by Tara Fatemi Walker<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the official week-until-Christmas warning; if you\u2019re like me, you are behind in shopping! Here is my first of a few \u201clast-minute gift suggestion\u201d posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pastry and confections business Spontaneous Confections<\/a><\/strong> has gift certificates available in $20 increments. Contact them via email at baked@spontaneousconfections.com or via DM on Instagram (@spontaneousconfections).\u00a0 They are also accepting holiday pre-orders for custom tarts, Dubai chocolate bars, and more until Dec. 22. I highly recommend this business; my family and I have bought and enjoyed their tasty treats at popups including the Live Oak Sunday farmers’ market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Santa Cruz residents Justin and Stephanie Lenorovitz launched Spontaneous Confections in 2023 and quickly gained a large following. Signature items available year-round include Chocolate Chunk Cardamom Cookie, and Fudge Brownie with a honey lavender ganache and real 24K gold garnish. Learn more at spontaneousconfections.com. Justin, a military veteran, is the pastry chef. His education includes attending the Institut Culinaire de France, a Bordeaux pastry school. Justin\u2019s wife Stephanie\u2019s roles include event planning, operations, and graphic design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local baker TspVanilla<\/a><\/strong> has created a special Holiday Cookie Box. Varieties include espresso chocolate chunk, miso churro, gingerbread and orange pecan rosemary shortbread. You receive eight cookies for $18, 12 for $26, or 16 for $34. Order at shop.castiron.me\/tspvanilla-1\/shop<\/a> and pick up in Soquel or arrange delivery. Another festive selection is Holiday Cake. The seven-inch single layer treat has a choice of three flavors: vanilla and spiced apple compote, brown butter gingerbread, and bourbon pecan. TspVanilla, also known as Shelby Aszklar, regularly offers custom orders of cookies, cupcakes, and cakes. She also often makes sourdough bagels, and this is what I have personally enjoyed from her\u2014they are fabulous! I look forward to trying her sweets one day soon; I\u2019m sure they are also fantastic. Follow TspVanilla on Instagram at tspvanilla.ca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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