It’s that time of year again where streets are filled with lights and Christmas trees, the sweet sound of carols, and the smell of mulled wine lingering in every neighborhood. It’s a time to celebrate, be happy, laugh, love, and be with family and friends. And what goes better with all these sweet treats than a traditional Christmas cake soaked in rum?
Top Indian Bakeries for Your Christmas Cake Ingredients!
Saldana Bakery, Goa
Nearly a century ago, Ubeline Saldanha and her husband, Ignatius, started the small family-run Saldanha Bakery in Goa. Back then, Ubeline, who loved to bake, would put her pies, cakes, and pastries in small black boxes that said “Saldanha,” and 20 to 30 men would carry them all over Calcutta.
Their business is now run by their granddaughter, Debra Saldanha. She is slowly bringing back all the treats her grandmother used to make, putting Saldanha back on Kolkata’s Christmas map.
When the season comes around, there will be long lines of people waiting outside the bakery, chatting happily while the cakes bake in the Saldanha ovens. Everything is made fresh when you order it. People sometimes have to order their wedding cakes months ahead of time.
Kerala, Mambally’s Royal Biscuit Factory
In 1880, a businessman named Mambally Bapu decided to open his own bakery in Thalassery. This is where the story of this Kerala bakery begins. Three years later, a British planter showed Bapu how to make a rich plum cake. Using that as a jumping-off point, he made his own version, which some say was India’s first Christmas cake.
He mixed a local brew with cashew apples and kadalipazham bananas and added a bit of local spice. Since then, Christmas cake lovers have flocked to Thalassery, and Bapu has opened more bakeries in other parts of the state. Every year, expats from all over the world order Christmas cake in Thalassery. In fact, many bakeries only stock these boozy treats and don’t take any other orders for the month.
Thom’s Bakery, Bengaluru
Thom’s Bakery is a great place to go if you’re in the mood for old-fashioned baked goods or just want to feel nostalgic. Thom’s is a restaurant that has been around since 1960. It serves not only sweets but also savory treats like patties, samosas, and their own special bread. But their rich and tasty plum cake is the real star of the show.
The bakery is connected to a grocery store that sells a wide range of international foods, such as pasta sauces, milkshake powders, cheese, and candies. Get a loaf of their milk bread on your way out, and while you’re waiting, eat a lot of their melt-in-your-mouth chocolate eclairs.
Naidu Bakery, Bengaluru
In 1888, Naidu opened his namesake bakery in the Bengaluru neighborhood of Shivajinagar. People liked their butter and masala biscuits, honey cakes, and wedding cakes with many layers.
The bakery was run by Naidu’s great-great grandson, who is now a Cordon Bleu-trained chef. He bought it back in 2018 and renamed it Bangalore Connection 1888. Bangalore Connection 1888 is known for both old-fashioned treats like butter and masala biscuits and more modern sweets like cheesecakes and mousse.
Nahoum & Sons, Kolkata
Nahoum’s was a famous bakery in Kolkata that opened in 1902 in Hoggs Market, which is now called New Market. They made chocolate, marzipan, and fudge. Their Christmas cake, which is also called the Rich Fruit Cake, is one of their oldest items and can last up to three weeks in the winter. For many years, they were even served as a treat on Republic Day at Raj Bhavan.
Nahoums is the only Jewish bakery that is still open in Kolkata. It has the same teakwood and glass display cases that have been there since the beginning. This holiday season, if you want to get a cake from Kolkata’s favorite bakery, make sure you have a lot of patience and time because the line can be crazy long, but it’s totally worth the wait!