Minnesota’s Best Midwest Christmas Treats (and Exactly Where to Find Them!)

There’s something extra magical about Christmas in Minnesota — snow-covered streets, glowing small towns, festive markets… and of course, the holiday treats that make the season unforgettable.

From Scandinavian classics to German-inspired favorites, cozy bakery traditions, and small-town specialties passed down for generations, Minnesota knows how to sweeten the holidays like no one else.

Whether you’re planning a festive food tour, looking for the best bakery stops for your Midwest adventures, or simply craving some holiday inspiration… here are our favorite Minnesota Christmas treats and the best places to find them across the state.

🎄 1. Lefse — The Scandinavian Christmas Essential

Soft, buttery, and rolled thin like a tortilla, lefse is one of Minnesota’s most beloved holiday staples thanks to its strong Norwegian roots. (Matt’s fav.)

Where to Find the Best Lefse in Minnesota

• Norske Nook (Osseo & Nearby WI Locations)

  Handmade lefse fresh for the holidays — tender, traditional, and perfect with butter and sugar.

• Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace (Minneapolis)

  A Minneapolis icon offering authentic Scandinavian foods, holiday gifts, and freshly made lefse.

• Rushford Lefse (Rushford)

  Famous statewide for delicate, perfectly rolled traditional lefse — shipped nationally for holiday gifting.

It tastes like Minnesota heritage — comforting, simple, and nostalgic.

🍒 2. Swedish Kringla — Soft, Sweet, and Comforting

This figure-8 shaped, lightly sweet treat is a holiday classic in many Midwest homes. Soft inside and subtly sweet, it’s perfect with a cup of coffee.

Where to Find the Best Kringla

• Kafe 421 (Minneapolis) – Often features Scandi-inspired pastries during the holidays.

• Scandinavian Gifts (Alexandria) – Known citywide for their holiday baked goods and kringla supply.

• Local church holiday bazaars and Christmas markets – Many small-town church ladies still bake kringla the old-fashioned way.

It’s the coziest, softest Christmas pastry you’ll ever taste — like a hug in bread form.

🍞 3. Stollen — A German Christmas Must

Packed with dried fruit, marzipan, nuts, and dusted with powdered sugar, stollen is rich, dense, and festive.

Where to Get Authentic Stollen in Minnesota

• Aki’s BreadHaus (Minneapolis)

  Authentic German bakery crafting one of the best stollens in the Midwest.

• New Ulm Bakeries (New Ulm)

  In the heart of Minnesota’s German community — especially during the city’s Christmas Market.

• Breadsmith (Minnetonka, St. Paul)

  Seasonal stollen available fresh during December.

It feels like the European Christmas markets right here in Minnesota.

✨ 4. Spritz Cookies — A Minnesota Classic

Colorful, buttery spritz cookies are a holiday tradition in nearly every Minnesota kitchen. They’re tiny, pretty, and full of nostalgia. (My Fav.)

Where to Find the Best Spritz Cookies

• Wuollet Bakery (Minneapolis & Edina) – Their holiday spritz assortments are famous.

• Hanisch Bakery (Red Wing) – Award-winning bakery known for its Christmas cookie trays.

• Small-town bakeries statewide – Many rural bakeries make spritz cookies by the dozens during December.

They’re bite-sized traditions — and you can never eat just one.

🍫 5. Hot Cocoa Bombs — Minnesota-Made Holiday Fun

These cozy winter treats have exploded in popularity, and Minnesota makers do them incredibly well.

Where to Buy the Best Cocoa Bombs

• Curly Girlz Candy (Medford) – Handcrafted cocoa bombs made with local ingredients.

• Legacy Chocolates (St. Paul) – Gourmet cocoa bombs with rich, premium chocolate.

• Twin Cities Pop-Ups & Craft Markets – Tons of local creators sell beautifully decorated cocoa bombs for gifting.

They’re fun for kids and adults — and perfect for snowy Minnesota nights.

🍰 6. Kringle — The Ultimate Holiday Pastry

This buttery Danish pastry shaped like a giant oval is filled with almond, raspberry, pecan, or seasonal flavors. While Kringle is a Wisconsin favorite, Minnesotans love it — and several bakeries make exceptional versions.

Where to Find Amazing Kringle

• Great Harvest Bread Co. (Multiple Minnesota Locations) – Seasonal kringles that sell out fast.

• Hy-Vee & Lunds & Byerlys – Bring in authentic Racine Kringle from Wisconsin during Christmas.

• A Baker’s Wife (Minneapolis) – Known for rich, flaky holiday pastries.

It’s the perfect mix of flaky, buttery, sweet, and festive — great for holiday brunches.

🍏 7. Caramel Apples – The Minnesota State Fair Favorite Turns Christmas

Many caramel apple makers keep the magic going for the holidays with Christmas sprinkles, crushed peppermint, and winter flavors.

Where to Find the Best Caramel Apples

• Minnesota Harvest (Jordan) – Seasonal caramel apples with gourmet toppings.

• Candyland (Minneapolis & Stillwater) – Christmas caramel apples drizzled and dipped.

• Local craft fairs & winter markets – Always a treasure hunt for seasonal treats.

Fun, festive, and great stocking stuffers.

🍬 8. Old-Fashioned Fudge — A Minnesota Christmas Staple

Creamy, rich fudge in flavors like maple, peppermint, and classic chocolate is a must-have at holiday gatherings.

Where to Find Minnesota’s Best Fudge

• Northwoods Candy Emporium (Mall of America) – Massive fudge selection.

• Red Wing Confectionery (Red Wing) – Famous for their seasonal fudge.

• Duluth Candy Co. (Duluth) – Old-school candy recipes with Christmas warmth.

Minnesota fudge tastes like tradition — and every town has its own way of making it.

✨ 9. Christmas Krampus Candy & European Sweets

Minnesota’s European heritage shines in its Christmas candy selection.

Where to Find It

• Ingebretsen’s (Minneapolis) – Scandinavian candies, chocolates, and holiday classics.

• German Christmas Markets (Excelsior & New Ulm) – Imported chocolate, gingerbread, and marzipan.

• Patisserie 46 (Minneapolis) – European-style pastries and chocolates.

It’s authentic, imported, and a taste of old-world holiday charm.

🎅 10. Peppermint Bark — Minnesota’s Modern Holiday Favorite

Pretty, crunchy, chocolatey — peppermint bark is a winter staple.

Where to Get It

• Legacy Chocolates (St. Paul) – Handmade artisan bark.

• Abdallah Candies (Burnsville) – Minnesota-made Christmas classics.

• Local boutiques & holiday pop-ups – Usually carry small-batch peppermint bark.

It’s cold, crisp, and refreshing — just like a winter day here.

❤️ Minnesota’s holiday treats aren’t just delicious — they’re stories. They’re memories. They’re part of what makes the Midwest such a warm and welcoming place during winter.

Whether you’re visiting a German bakery in New Ulm, grabbing lefse from a Nordic market, or picking up spritz cookies in a tiny small-town bakery… the taste of Minnesota at Christmas is cozy, nostalgic, and full of heart.