The Roanoker - November/December 2020 - 53

WRITTEN BY LAYLA KHOURY-HANOLD

the sweet life
Holiday treats and seasonal sweets to share, savor and sip.

O MATTER WHAT'S happening
in one's life-and this year, it's been
a lot-it's comforting to be able to
count on the forward march of time
marked by the changing seasons. This
time of year heralds the advent of apple harvests, the
return of pumpkin spice everything and the anticipation
of holiday sweets and bread breaking. Though our
celebrations may look different this year, local bakeries
and eateries are still whipping up classic holiday treats
and seasonal sweets. From cookies to cocktails, here's
where to find celebration-worthy treats-no matter the
occasion.

Apples to Apples

Virginia grows more than 25 varieties of apples, making
it one of the top apple-producing states. Throughout
the season, you'll find several varieties fit for snacking
and baking at Jamison's Orchards, including sweet-tart
Grimes Golden, crisp Empire, juicy McIntosh or crispsweet Gala. Stock up on jars of apple butter and apple
pie filling, too.
For a rustic take on apple pie, opt for Bread Craft's
apple galette. Pie dough is mounded with local apples
spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg before the edges
are folded around the filling to create an open-faced
tart. Another take on apple desserts is Sidecar's apple
streusel, in which local apples seasoned with nutmeg,
clove and cinnamon are baked under a blanket of puff
pastry and served with vanilla ice cream.

TheRoanoker.com

If cake is more your thing, order the apple spice cake
at Corbin's Confections, a gluten- and nut-free bakery
in Salem. The family favorite dessert is fashioned after
co-owner Shana Brown's grandmother's applesauce cake
recipe. Local apples are diced and folded into a batter
laced with cinnamon, clove and allspice and studded
with plump raisins, then baked until fragrant and tender
(a raisin-free version is available, too).
Ask for a T&G at Alexander's, and you'll get a
playful, apple-forward take on a champagne cocktail.
It's anchored by an orange-bitters-soaked sugar cube,
topped with Albemarle CiderWorks' Royal Pippin
Cider. The single-variety cider is named for the
Albemarle Pippin, an apple lauded for its well-balanced
acidity and lush apple taste. The sparkling sipper is
finished with a float of Bowman Brothers' Virginiamade bourbon and garnished with a brandied cherry.

Pumpkin Spice
Everything

No matter your sentiment toward pumpkin treats,
there's no denying that the orange gourds signal fall.
Neena's Cupcakes' pumpkin spice cupcakes, made
with fresh minced pumpkin and frosted with a fluffy
pumpkin-spice-laced cream cheese icing, could convert
anyone to Team Pumpkin. Call to order or find them at
The Dilly Dally market in Salem.
At Corbin's Confections, discover a duo of pumpkin
delights. There's the aptly-named pumpkin pillows, in

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

The Roanoker - November/December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - November/December 2020