Colonial Williamsburg Pie Sale & Holiday Bake Shop

The Colonial Williamsburg Annual Pie Sale and Holiday Bake Shop is a beloved seasonal tradition in Williamsburg, Virginia.

After a day of skating and exploring, indulge in a well-deserved sweet treat at the Colonial Williamsburg Holiday Bake Shop at Taste Studio. Offering a delectable selection of pies, cakes, breads, and cookies, this bake shop has something for everyone.

Whether you’re savoring a slice of pie or taking home a dozen cookies, these holiday treats are the perfect way to cap off a festive day in Colonial Williamsburg.

Many of the baked goods are inspired by 18th-century colonial recipes to give visitors a taste of the flavors enjoyed by early Americans, blending history with culinary artistry.

Here are some unique facts about this event:

1. Famous Williamsburg Bakery Contributions

The sale features delicacies from the renowned Colonial Williamsburg Bakery, which is known for its iconic ginger cakes and specialty holiday treats. The bakery uses traditional recipes that have been passed down for generations.

• The menu includes but is not limited to:
  • Tavern Cookies: Sugar, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and Oatmeal Raisin (a personal favorite).
  • Ginger Cakes (Cookies): A colonial classic crafted from an authentic recipe with a modern twist.
  • Tavern Breads: Sweet Potato Loaf (Campbell’s), Sally Lunn Bread (Kings Arms), Sour Dough (Chownings), Queen’s Cake (Inn)

2. Wide Variety of Seasonal Pies

The pie sale presents a wide array of classic and colonial-inspired pies, including Pumpkin, Pecan, Sweet Potato, and Apple, as well as indulgent flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter and Apple Cranberry (a personal favorite). Unique options such as Chess Pie and Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie are also available, expertly crafted to evoke a sense of historical tradition.

3. Special Holiday Treats

In addition to pies, the Holiday Bake Shop offers a selection of seasonal treats:

• Tavern Cookies: Choose from Sugar, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and Oatmeal Raisin (a personal favorite).
• Ginger Cakes (Cookies): A colonial classic made from an authentic recipe with a modern twist.
• Tavern Breads: If you’ve dined at one of Colonial Williamsburg’s Taverns or the Inn, you may have enjoyed their signature breads. Now, you can bring these distinctive loaves to your holiday table, adding a festive touch to your celebrations:
  • Sweet Potato Loaf – Campbell’s Tavern
  • Sally Lunn Bread – King’s Arms Tavern
  • Sourdough Bread – Chowning’s Tavern
  • Queen’s Cake – The Inn
    • A shopkeeper once shared with me that she uses this bread to make French toast for her grandchildren every Christmas morning.

4. Hand-Crafted Presentation

Each pie and baked good is beautifully crafted and packaged, making them ideal gifts for the holiday season. The aesthetic presentation ties in with the historic atmosphere of Colonial Williamsburg.

5. Pre-Order and Pick-Up System

To meet high demand, customers can pre-order their pies and baked goods in advance, ensuring that both locals and tourists can easily reserve their favorite holiday treats without the concern of them selling out.

6. Community and Visitor Appeal

The Holiday Bake Shop draws both locals and tourists, giving visitors the chance to take home a piece of history during the holiday season. The pie sale has become a beloved tradition for many families who return year after year.

7. Grand Illumination Weekends

The Holiday Bake Shop aligns with Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination Weekends in December, featuring festive holiday activities. During this time, Duke of Gloucester Street is illuminated by cressets, casting a warm, glowing charm over the area. Historic reenactments add to the lively, festive atmosphere, creating a memorable experience for visitors.

8. Holiday Bake Shop Location and Hours of Operation

The Holiday Bake Shop at Taste Studio is just a short walk from Duke of Gloucester Street, located between the Williamsburg Inn and Williamsburg Lodge parking lots.

It’s open Thursday through Sunday the week leading up to Thanksgiving.

Then, every week in December, right up to Christmas, it aligns with each Grand Illumination weekend.

9. Conclusion

The Colonial Williamsburg Pie Sale & Holiday Bake Shop is an annual event that combines history, tradition, and culinary excellence, making it a unique and cherished holiday experience for visitors to Colonial Williamsburg.

Footnotes:
This article combines personal experience with researched details.

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