Just when you thought the Christmas desserts couldn't get any more exciting, we discovered 42nd East Bakehouse.
The Yorkshire bakery sell all things cookies, and we're obsessed. Cookie burritos, cookie cups, cookie pies, cookie slap: everything and anything you can think of with a cookie in, they've made it.
This Christmas, the only dessert round the dinner table should be their limited edition masterpiece: a 'Festive Cookie Dough Ball', shaped like a Christmas pudding.
From the outside, the unassuming, chocolate-covered pudding looks delicious, but it's the gooey inside that's the real show stopper.
The giant cookie dough balls are available in a range of shapes, each with slightly different flavours. Choose from the traditional Chocolate Pudding or opt for a Reindeer, S'mores Snowball or a Christmas Bauble shaped dessert.
All of which look like a supersize Ferrero Rocher, only more delicious.
The Yorkshire-based bakery has a spot in Leeds’ Queens Arcade, but their main store is based in Beverley, where you can grab a coffee, join a mental-health-based cooking class or taste some of their savoury dishes.
The kind-hearted staff have also made the decision to offer free Christmas hampers and children's school meals over the festive period from their Beverley store.
The company wrote on their Instagram page:
" As well as the re launching of our free school meals this festive half term, we will be giving away a Christmas dinner hamper to anyone may be struggling because we believe no one should go without a Christmas lunch!
"If anyone it struggling please reach out to us".
Available from the Beverley store only. / Image: 42nd East Bakehouse
If you need any recommendations for your visit to the Leeds store, the cookie burritos stopped us in our tracks.
It's a chocolate bar of your choice wrapped in a slab of our gooey chocolate brownie and then roll in our cookie dough and baked off, dipped in chocolate and drizzled & topped with chocolate swirls.
There’s fudge, Mars Bars, Ferrero Rocher and Bueno to choose from to form the base, each with their own toppings and flavours- so each burrito is unique.
For more information or to check out the delicious festive treats for yourself, visit the 42nd East Bakehouse website to pre-order, or pop into the Queens Arcade store.
Feature Image- 42nd East Bakehouse
Christmas
M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Leeds with hundreds of jobs available
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
Leeds Christmas Market is getting two brand-new themed bars for 2026 – including a Scottish Highland Lodge
Clementine Hall
Organisers of the Leeds Christmas Market have announced it will host two new bars for 2026.
Yes, we know it's only October...but is it too soon to be getting excited about Christmas? We think not.
The Leeds Christmas Markets are going to look a little bit different this year, as the owners of Thor's Tipi will be running the festivities at City Square for 2026.
Completely new for this year, the market on City Square will introduce two bars with different themes - a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar.
Image: Supplied
Firstly, the Highland Lodge will welcome visitors into a spacious tipi filled with snug seating, twinkling lights, roaring fires and plenty of tartan.
Designed to welcome large groups, the lodge will have space for 280 guests inside and a further 100 outside, whilst the drinks menu will feature Highland favourites including Scottish beers and ales, a selection of whisky and even Iron-Bru.
Over at the Folie Ski Bar on Quebec Street, expect a relaxed festive retreat with the feel of an alpine chalet, complete with rustic wood detailing, fairy lights, faux fur throws and roaring fires.
The bar can accommodate 180 guests inside and 50 outside, serving mulled wine, boozy hot chocolates, Kirkstall Brewery beers and a selection of low and no-alcohol drinks.
Image: Supplied
THORS’s director, Amanda Monaghan said: “We’re excited to bring two new bar experiences to Leeds Christmas market this year. Having hosted THOR’s tipi in the city for many years, we’ve had plenty of practice creating festive spaces and entertainment, so we know what customers love.
“We’ve listened to lots of feedback on what people would like to see at the market and we want to make sure we give visitors and residents of Leeds plenty of reasons to stay with us long after they’ve finished their shopping or a day at the office.
“The new venues have been created to cater for all ages and tastes and will be perfect for passing visitors, after work drinks or planned Christmas get-togethers. From the lively Scottish spirit of Highland Lodge to the cosy alpine atmosphere at Folie, there’s going to be a spot for everyone to settle in and enjoy drinks by the fire and plenty of festive fun.”
Sophie Smith -
16th December 2021 
