With all of my talk about how fantastic the Philly food (and dessert) scene is, I’d be remiss not to tell you how you can have a little bit of Philly love delivered to your doorstep any day of the year.  No need to wait for an occasion like Valentine’s Day (my Solo Traveler Anniversary, a sad and funny story) to have a reason to enjoy Philly Desserts like chocolate, cookies, ice cream and cupcakes to name just a few sweet treats.  The list below is only a small group of my favorites (there are so many more in Philly) most of which do have online ordering and shipping, a few don’t so you need to visit Philly to buy in person.

My Philly Dessert Guide (always changing as I indulge in more yummy research!) **note prices may change**

Updated 13 February 2019

Philly Dessert – The Philadelphia Cookies

If you have a cookie monster in your life (like me), they will be very happy munching on cookies from Hope’s Cookies.  I’ve been sending cookie love in over 20 flavors for more than 20 years now. In fact, their bake at home Triple Chocolate cookie dough is in my freezer now for when I can’t get to the store and want my house to smell like chocolate happiness. They offer shipping throughout the continental U.S. – I suggest ordering online Sunday/Monday/Tuesday to get the cookies 2-3 days later.

 

If you have a cookie snob in your life (like me), they will surely be impressed by the flavors and texture combination in one cookie, The Sour Cherry Sea Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie from Metropolitan Bakery.  A dozen cookies is $19.95 (before shipping).  Metropolitan Bakery also sells bread online, granola, popcorn and for the special dog in your life, homemade dog treats.

 

Philly Dessert – Philadelphia Chocolate

Spoiled by Chocolate choice here in Philadelphia, we have a handful of locally made by hand small batch chocolates all of which go well with a glass of red. You can order online or find all vendor varieties at the Pennsylvania General Store in Reading Terminal Market in Center City.

The Husband & Wife Team at John & Kira’s – they source local ingredients (or grow their own) and hand make/paint their chocolates (a labor of love) to turn out Salted Caramel Bees, Chocolate Ganache Ladybugs and Grown Up Fruit Squares (just a few of my favorites). I met a woman in Chicago who went I said I was from Philly told me that she has been ordering John & Kira’s Chocolates shipped to her Wyoming home for years. With shipping specials and holiday collections, this is the chocolate to impress your friends, family and Valentine.

Asher’s Chocolates – The Chocolate Covered Pretzels from Asher’s are addictive for me and it wasn’t until recently that I learned my mom lives five minutes from the Asher’s factory now she brings them to all family events and all my gym time goes out the window!  If you ever need to pry secrets from me – these are a good starting point.

The Love Bar, John & Kira’s Urban Garden Bars, Lore’s and Eclat Chocolate – locally made chocolate bars available at the Reading Terminal Pennsylvania General Store. They also have a few more options but those are bespoke and need to be bought in person at the PA General Store.

You can also check out the new Belgian Chocolate vendor, Chocodiem, at The Bourse Philadelphia Food Hall.  They have a chocolate bar, truffles on site and online ordering to ship in the U.S.

Philly Dessert – Ice Cream & Sorbets

Wait, you can ship ice cream and sorbet?  Yes, you can.  I read a post on a forum about a man who lived in Vancouver and shipped Bassett’s Ice Cream from Philadelphia to a friends’ house in Seattle (they ship U.S. only) and drove down to pick up his ice cream.  That’s devotion! Bassett’s Ice Cream is the oldest in the City of Philadelphia with a stand in Reading Terminal.  The pints can be ordered and shipped to your home – minimum of six pints for $59.99 plus shipping.

 

Philly Dessert – Cannoli, Cupcakes, Macarons and Budinos

The Salted Caramel Budino from Barbuzzo.  Sadly this gooey salted caramel dessert in a mason jar can’t be shipped but you can order it to go at the restaurant (order at the bar) or next door at Verde.

“Leave the Gun, take the Cannoli” a famous line from “The Godfather”.  This Italian pastry is popular year round but more in demand during the holidays.  Termini’s Bakery in South Philadelphia can ship you the cannoli shells and the bags of filling to fill your own cannoli.  Small packages (6 cannolis are $45) and large (12 cannolis for $70) plus shipping costs can be sent to only a handful of states.

Cupcakes from Whipped Bakeshop.  They will deliver locally in Philadelphia neighborhoods but do not ship nationwide.  You can deliver to your hotel room (a minimum amount + delivery fee) or you can visit the shop in Northern Liberties (a cab ride away).

Macarons from Parc.  No shipping, these are a bit of a secret treat as they are not on the menu.  The server will know if you ask, they are sold in small packs of six macarons (chef’s choice of flavors – each lovely).

Philly Gift – A Taste of Philadelphia Baskets

Want a mix of this, that and the other?  All of which are favorites?  Then the PA General Store in Reading Terminal is your go to.  Easy to order online with local delivery or shipping.  A tray of Asher’s Chocolate Covered Pretzels?  They have them. Hope’s Cookies?  They are the only store in Philadelphia to sell them as Hope’s is located on the Main Line in the suburbs.  Want butter cookies from the Melrose Diner in South Philly?  They can add those too.  Amish pretzels?  Yes, those too.  In person, the small stand sells Amish quilts and other handmade local Philadelphia items including LOVE souvenirs.

Warning:  The Philly dessert treats are so good, your friends and family may just expect them in the future. Not responsible for weight gain or dessert addictions