The holidays bring out our sugar cravings, and there are plenty of opportunities to indulge this week: beer-fueled gingerbread house contests, family-friendly cupcake decorating, and all manner of sweets in between.
Gingerbread for adults: Kids don’t get all the fun at the Fairmont Washington DC, which hosts a gingerbread decorating class for adults on Tuesday at 6. Guests construct sweet homes along with plenty of libations and snacks. Reservations are $85.
Gingerbread for beer lovers: Ventnor Sports Cafe hosts a spirited gingerbread house-building contest on Friday at 7, where participants compete to construct the finest dessert home while sipping 20 holiday beers (gingerbread kits are $10). The party starts at 6, and winners are announced at midnight, so be ready for the long haul. Reserve by e-mailing scott@ventnorsportscafe.com or calling 202-234-3070.
Truffle making: Head to Black’s Bar & Kitchen on Saturday from 11 to 1 and learn to make chocolate truffles. The demo is followed by a three-course Champagne lunch, and includes a box of six chocolates. Reservations are $50 per person.
Georgetown cupcake class: Sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne of Georgetown’s famous cupcake shop lead a holiday decorating class at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown on Sunday from 2 to 4. Each guest will frost, decorate, and gift-wrap their own dozen to bring home. Reservations are $75 for persons four and older.
Gingerbread for families: Families are welcome at Brabo on Sunday, where pastry chef Erin Reed leads a gingerbread house building class from 2 to 4. All the materials are ready, and light refreshments are served. Reservations are $30 for families of three, $40 for four.
Yule log 101: Skip gingerbread houses in favor of the holiday’s other traditional treat: yule log cakes. The Gaylord offers a “yule log experience” from 8:30 to 10 on several dates between now and December 27—they include a buffet breakfast, an interactive demo, and a hands-on class where guests get to take home their yule log. The all-ages course is $49.
Italian and Greek cookie class: Head to Kapnos on Saturday from 1 to 2:30 for a holiday cookie-making demonstration focused on two types: koulourakia
(braided sesame cookies) and Italian rainbow cookies. The course includes snacks, wine, and a tray of two dozen cookies ($55 per person).
Decorating party: Cork‘s gingerbread house decorating party returns on Saturday with sessions at 11:30 and 3:30. Adults and children are welcome to participate, with kits available for two adults or two adults and a child per house ($40 per house).
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
