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56º | Cloudy, with slight chance of showers | 18% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:33 a.m. | Sunset 4:58 p.m.

Create-Your-Own Cookie Tin: KC Edition

A little bite of delicious nostalgia tastes best in a tin box. | Photo via Pexels, Graphic by the KCtoday team

There’s lots of things to celebrate during the holidays — friends, family, health, wealth, and most of all: the unspoken understanding that we get to gorge ourselves on as much food + sweets as possible before New Year’s resolutions kick us in the butt. Or is that just me?

Luckily all of our KCtoday readers ended up on the nice list this year, meaning we can open your present early: Create-Your-Own Cookie Tin.

Browse these 12 local bakeries and their tasty offerings, choose four of your favorites in our Asked module below + we’ll share the most popular sweet selections.

KCtoday_Blackholebakery — I don’t need my presents wrapped, just *iced*.
|
Photo via Blackhole Bakery

Blackhole Bakery | Featured: Mochi Donuts | 5531 Troost Ave., KCMO | Come for the fabulous French pastries, stay for the Midwest’s only mochi donuts. Pre-orders are closed, so stop by in person to swipe up their chocolate babka or brioche orange buns.

Bootleg Bourbon Balls | Featured: Bourbon Balls | Pick-up only | Need your holiday treats packed with something special? How about these chocolate-y confections made with high-proof spirits from regional distilleries.

Brown Suga | Featured: Grinch Sugar Cookie | Pick-up or delivery | Spark a sense of “everyday celebration” with these soft, fresh-baked cookies from a local Black + woman-owned business.

Cupcakes A La Mode | Featured: Candy Cane + Gingerbread Cupcakes | Multiple locations | Is it too late to add 20 different flavors of gourmet cupcakes and made-from-scratch icing to my wish list?

Dolce Bakery | Featured: Chocolate Espresso Tortes | 3930 W. 69th Ter., Prairie Village, KS | With beautifully decorated cakes, cookies, gingerbread and more — you better wrap these treats up quick or they won’t make it through the car ride home.

Elvira’s Cakes | Featured: Chocolate-covered Strawberries | 3838 Independence Ave., KCMO | Elvira’s specializes in specialty decorated cakes with a delicious selection of Mexican pastries + desserts.

6 more sweet treats

Asked

🍪 It’s time to make your final selections.

Once you’ve selected your four favorite treats, it’s time to step into the sweet shop and bundle your holiday bounty.

Ready for some Christmas magic?

Events

Thursday, Dec. 21

Drop-in Studio Workshop | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | Free | Choose from an assortment of supplies and create your very own mixed-media sculpture in its studio classroom.
History of Harmonizing | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, KS | $29-$32 | The Swing Shift quartet will perform holiday favorites and then share some of the artform’s history over lunch.
Thursday Night Karaoke and Margaritas | Thursday, Dec. 21-Thursday, Aug. 15 | 6-11 p.m. | 424 Lounge, 424 Cherokee St., Leavenworth, KS | Free Entry | Sing your heart out at this karaoke night featuring $5 margaritas.
K-State Men’s Basketball vs. Wichita State | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | T-Mobile Center, KCMO | $10-$160 | Show your purple pride at the Wildcat Classic when KSU takes on the Shockers.

Friday, Dec. 22

Frosty Skate | Friday, Dec. 22-Wednesday, Dec. 27 | 12 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence, MO | $9 | Hit the ice for a full day of skating.
Guy Torry | Friday, Dec. 22-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | KC Improv, 7260 NW 87th St., KCMO | $25 | Follow this comedian from screen to stage as he settles in for a weekend of laughs at KC Improv.

Saturday, Dec. 23

Caffeine and Chrome | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Gateway Classic Cars of Kansas City, 1202 S. Lone Elm Rd., Olathe, KS | Cruise in with your collectible car or daily driver and share a coffee with the KC car community.
Brewery Tour | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 1 p.m. | Kansas City Bier Company, 310 W. 79th St., KCMO | Take a tour of Kansas City’s largest locally-owned brewery for a behind-the-scenes peek at how its award-winning beer is made.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Outdoors

Expect easy riding for electric scooter and e-bike users in Overland Park. The city approved a new ordinance overriding its former ban of e-mobility devices on city trails. As long as you keep your speed in check (20 mph or less), it’s happy roads ahead. (Shawnee Mission Post)

Closed

After 35 years, Sunday, Dec. 17 was the day the music died at Shawnee’s Red Balloon Bar & Grill. The local karaoke hub ended its set to the tune of a final holiday donation drive benefiting Harvesters Community Food Network.

Civic

The 2022 law banning people from sleeping on state land was overturned by a unanimous Missouri Supreme Court decision on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Advocates worried this law would criminalize people experiencing homelessness, ~2,000 of them in KC. (Kansas City Star)

Ranked

Overland Park tops the charts once again, landing No. 3 on HomeSnack’s “Best Cities to Raise a Family,” following Concord, NC + Dearborn, MI. The site scored locations based on criteria like cost of living, amenities, crime, and education to name a few.

Cause

Oink for a cause — Local Pig + The Prospect KC have teamed up once again to feed food insecure neighbors. Purchase two dozen meatballs to pig out on for the holidays and this buy-one-give-one deal serves another meatball platter to a family in need.

Holiday

Need another reason to stop by the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium? Drop off unused, old, or broken holiday lights at its Guest Relations desk during operating hours through Sunday, Jan. 7. It’ll properly dispose your seasonal strands, protecting both local recycling centers and the environment.

Today Is

The sun may set at 4:59 p.m. today, but good news is on the horizon...literally. Today is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the North Pole is tilted the furthest from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year — which means the days will start getting longer.

Development

Is the Plaza getting a Lone Star makeover?

Good news comes from Mayor Q’s meeting with potential Plaza buyers

Looks like the Plaza is getting new owners for its 100th birthday. | Photo by Country Club Plaza

Compared to its once-bustling past — the Country Club Plaza has been quieter in recent years thanks to shuttered storefronts + concerns over crime. Now with a new owner on the horizon, Kansas City wonders what to expect?

Mayor Quinton Lucas and other Kansas City representatives met potential new owners HP Village Partners in Dallas on Tuesday, visiting the luxury shopping district it hopes to fashion the Plaza’s development after.

Mayor Q came back optimistic — citing HP Village Partner’s deep enthusiasm and understanding of the luxury and local influences that make this corner of KC a cultural hub.

CityScene KC reported that new housing, high-end hotels, better security and a more diverse retail experience were all priorities expressed by the potential new owners.

What do you think of the proposed priorities? Let us know.

The Buy

The Buy 12.21.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Goofy light up headbands or light up beanies to bring holiday cheer (and hilarity) to your seasonal gathering.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madison

From the editor

It’s hard to believe but it’s already here...the last time you’ll see my smiling face at the bottom of your favorite morning newsletter this year!

Dry your eyes, I’ll be back in your inbox starting Jan. 2nd — ready to hear all of the New Year’s resolutions and thoughtful questions you’ve been sitting on during our week-long break.

I’m incredibly grateful I’ve gotten to end 2023 with KCtoday + I can’t wait to see what this amazing community brings in 2024. Happy holidays!

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Create-Your-Own Cookie Tin: KC Holiday Sweets + Treats

Good news comes from Mayor Q’s meeting with potential Plaza buyers

The Buy 12.21.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)