Heidelberg Heaven

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Folks, I have a problem. There’s officially less than five days till Christmas, and for the past week and a half, since my first visit to the German cookie haven earlier this month, I have not been able to stop myself from going back to Heidelberg Bakery … again … and again … and again.

As it’s gotten closer and closer to Christmas, I’ve come up with more excuses to go in there – I needed a little gift for my supervisor; for a co-worker’s birthday, a box of freshly baked cookies would be perfect; I need to wow everyone at the Christmas Eve party I’m going to (and I’m leaving out the fact that I just wanted to munch on something sweet myself). 

I’ve always had the sweetest sweet tooth, so it’s no surprise that I’ve fallen obsessively in love with Heidelberg. But what I don’t understand, particularly at this time of year, is my love for things like pfefferneusse. I have this inexplicable obsession with German spiced baked goods, and I really don’t know where it came from, as I don’t have a lick of German ancestry in my blood. 

Each time I walk into Heidelberg I am blown away by the heavenly surroundings of cookies, baked goods, cakes, and more cookies! Seriously, cookies EVERYWHERE! And baskets of free samples — there’s nothing I love more. The first time, I was overwhelmed by all the cookies. But now, I want to get to know all the cookies — ALL the cookies. It’s my goal. Each time I’ve been back, I’ve tried something new, from the German chocolates to a free sample of marzipan. Up next? The powder sugar covered, marzipan layered bread (the only thing stopping me was the fact that it was $13 and I wouldn’t have anyone to share it with for another three days, and, obviously, I’d just end up eating it all myself). 

There’s a sweet in Heidelberg for everyone — for the chocolate lovers, the German spice cookie lovers, the butter cookie lovers, the marzipan lovers. Heck, there are even simple breads, rolls, croissants and sausages for the savory lovers. But I won’t go there. Not this week.

I know it’s no secret, but if you haven’t been to Heidelberg yet, now’s your time to go. GO!
Embrace the holidays — embrace the cookies.

*Cue angelic sound effects*

Heidelberg is located at 2150 N. Culpeper St. in Arlington (703-527-8394; www.heidelbergbakery.com).

-Julia Harbo

Tags: Arlington, christmas, christmas cookies, cookies, desserts, Gut Check, heidelberg, heidelberg bakery, holidays, julia harbo, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, pfefferneusse, sweets