Bearing in mind the intensity of 2021, we all deserve some much-needed merriment and Christmas is right around the corner. While turkey with stuffing, gravy and mashed potatoes tick the savoury department, cakes hit the sweet spot.

Some stick to traditional fruit cakes, while others prefer visuals that embrace the celebration and gift boxes to add extra smiles. Whatever your preference may be, here is a list for some cake shopping!

1) Le Petit Four

Sitting prettily along Beach Street, this pastry shop is the place to be for handcrafted French pastries. And they have already got the ball rolling for Christmas with bûche de Noël. It is a classic Yule log with chocolate cake, slow-cooked orange marmalade and a Guanaja-whipped ganache.

It is finished with a dark chocolate glaze to look straight out of a food magazine. Purchase them individually or all packed up as a part of Joyeux Noël set. It includes a mixed fruit Panettone (Italian sweet bread), cheese platter, fruit cake slices, macarons, cookies, jam and a bottle of Champagne.

How to Order: 016-4093918 Location: 310 Lebuh Pantai, George Town, Penang

2) Aunty Jo Cakes

Often, Christmas shopping can be overwhelming, particularly if you are running out of ideas to grace up the dining table. Then Aunty Jo's Merry Basket is what you need.

The passionate baker has put together a basket filled with dark rum fruit cake, assorted shortbreads and pretzels, wooden ornaments, a candy cane, an artisanal glass teapot, flower tea bags, a gift card and a stainless-steel fork. Sounds like Christmas sprang off a picnic basket! It makes a perfect gift, whether to others or yourself.

How to Order: 012-4921002

3) The After Meal

When scrolling through their social media pages, you can’t help but stare at the extravagance of each cake. And it is no surprise they have gone all-out this Christmas. Say hello to Frostie – the adorable snowman cake that comes with a list of flavours to choose from.

Next, their Choc Rum Fruitcake (rum is optional). This delicious bar brims with all the good stuff – dates, prunes, walnuts, sultanas, cranberries, black raisins, mixed citrus, spices and Penang’s local nutmeg. Lastly, get their Brownie Bites in Tub too! Remember, when it comes to cake, there's always never too much of a good thing.

How to Order: TheAfterMeal (Facebook/Instagram). Postage available for brownies and fruitcakes throughout West Malaysia.

4) Roots Dessert Cafe

If your sweet tooth is calling for attention, then you are in safe hands at this dessert joint. And for Christmas, they have brought their A-game with a white version of Yule Log, named White Christmas. The sponge cake resembles the traditional block, imbued with white chocolate, cranberries and mascarpone.

The four-inch cake also comes paired with a mini meringue snowman. Did someone just say "awww"?

How to Order: 014-909 9272 Location: 72, Jalan A.S. Mansoor, 10050 George Town, Penang

5) Oven & Chalice

Oven & Chalice is a household name in Penang. Having fed the people with cakes of all shapes and sizes, the team have unveiled Christmas Mini Cakes (6cm), Petite Cakes (4.5 inches) and Cupcakes for the festive season.

Each item has festivity and creativity written all over, especially the mini cakes. Think white chocolate mousse cake with Japanese cotton cheesecake, Belgium chocolate cake on cocoa chocolate crumble, and salted caramel mousse layered over macadamia brownies. Now this is a level of detail we can get behind.

How to Order: 0174104510 or on their website Location: 14, Persiaran Midlands, George Town, 10350 Penang

6) Fatkidz Patisserie

Looking at the image above, you know that everyone coming home is about to gawk at this aesthetically-arresting tree. But Fatkidz Patisserie doesn't just rest on looks. This tree is available in two flavours – matcha mango and chocolate strawberry – appealing and not cloyingly sweet.

Check out their Christmas Gift Box too, which consists of classic gingerbread cookies, rum and vanilla canelé, red velvet madeleine and handmade lotus Bischoff. Christmas Santa Flowers are optional but encouraged.

How to Order: 016-4811303 and 016-4888638 Location: 27-G-3a, Medan Ria, Jalan Samak, 10150 George Town, Penang

7) Swens Homemade Cakes

Being called traditional may not sound like a huge compliment, but one of Swens’ Christmas creations wears the label with pride, and rightly so. Their traditional Christmas Fruit Cake is made with dried fruits that are soaked for 6 years in rum.

The rich block is then pleasantly packed with paper wraps, ribbons and festive figurines. Order ahead to snag the cake because it is available only once a year.

How to Order: 012-4262298 Location: 60T Jalan Matang Kucing 11500 Air Itam, Penang

8) Seps Bake

Calling themselves as a hobbyist home bakery in Penang, this bakery is growing on the radar of Penangites. And yes, what better time to do what you love than Christmas.

They have settled on a classic French pastry – Paris-Brest – with vanilla or dark chocolate to choose from. Priced at RM22 and RM25 respectively, and with a delicate interplay of ingredients, these treats are a bang for the bucks.

How to Order: 012-5281295

9) La Vie En Rose Patisserie

French pastries such as croissants, tarts and beignets are often the best part of a patisserie. But these baked goodies seem to be sidelined on Christmas, so this bakery is hoping to change that.

Creative spins on classics such as croissants with raspberry cheesecake filling, tarts topped with caramel and dark chocolate ganache to represent a reindeer, and Santa in the form of raspberry chiboust and white chocolate Chantilly are ready to dazzle.