Make Thanksgiving Sweeter With Holiday Desserts and Fresh-Baked Favorites From Zest

At a Glance

What: Zest – Thanksgiving Holiday Menu 2026
Type: Thanksgiving Takeout & Preorders
Order Deadline: Sunday, November 22, 2026
Pickup Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Pickup Hours: 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Pickup Locations: Zest at The Velvet Mill in Stonington and Zest Coffee Bar in Ledyard
Velvet Mill: 22 Bayview Avenue, Suite 1A, Stonington, CT
Ledyard: 749 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT
Featuring: Thanksgiving pies, specialty tarts, cheesecakes, cakes, and freshly baked breads
Prices: $1.50–$45, with additional charges for optional items and gluten-free preparation
Gluten-Free Options: Available on select items for an additional $8
Ordering: Online, by phone, or using the bakery’s order form
Contact: Velvet Mill (860) 381-0771; Ledyard (860) 381-5134
Holiday Closures: Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27

Event Description

Zest – Thanksgiving Holiday Menu 2026 gives families a chance to leave some of the holiday baking to the professionals. The locally owned bakery has prepared a seasonal collection of pies, specialty cakes, tarts, and freshly baked breads, with orders available for pickup at its Stonington and Ledyard locations on Wednesday, November 25.

Thanksgiving dinner takes plenty of work, and dessert is often the last thing anyone wants to worry about after spending hours preparing the main meal. Zest offers an assortment of familiar holiday favorites alongside more adventurous creations, giving hosts a chance to serve something special without spending another afternoon in the kitchen.

Traditional Thanksgiving Favorites With a Creative Touch

Zest’s signature holiday desserts bring some unexpected combinations to the Thanksgiving table. The Pumpkin Chocolate Cream Tart combines a dark chocolate sablé crust with creamy pumpkin filling and fresh whipped cream. The Sweet Potato Pecan Pie features sweet potato filling, a pecan pie topping, and a vanilla shortbread crust.

For chocolate lovers, the S’mores Chocolate Cream Pie pairs a graham cracker crust with decadent chocolate pudding and toasted meringue. Other choices include a Maple Pecan Tart, a Pear Cranberry Frangipane Tart, and a two-layer Carrot Cake with cream cheese filling and frosting.

The bakery hasn’t forgotten the traditional favorites. Its holiday classics include Pumpkin Caramel Streusel Cheesecake, Classic Pumpkin Pie made with Stone Acres Farm roasted pumpkins, and Classic Apple Pie featuring fresh Connecticut apples and a cinnamon oat streusel.

The signature desserts serve approximately eight to twelve people, while the holiday classics serve ten to twelve, making them suitable for family gatherings and larger Thanksgiving dinners.

Fresh-Baked Cakes and Breads for the Holiday Table

Beyond pies and specialty desserts, Zest offers several baked goods that work just as well for Thanksgiving morning as they do for an afternoon gathering.

The Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Swirl Bundt combines spiced pumpkin and chocolate cake with a cheesecake swirl and maple icing. There’s also a Cranberry Orange Olive Oil Bundt Cake, Vegan Banana Bread, and Zest Lemon Loaf with tart lemon frosting.

The Pumpkin Pecan Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake features pumpkin coffee cake, a cinnamon swirl, and crunchy pecan streusel. For the dinner table, Herb Brioche Dinner Rolls are available individually.

Select desserts and baked goods can also be prepared gluten-free for an additional $8, giving customers more options when planning for guests with different dietary needs.

A Stonington Bakery With a Local Following

Zest Fresh Pastry has become a familiar name in southeastern Connecticut, known for handcrafted pastries, cakes, and creative baked goods.

Its original location at The Velvet Mill in Stonington is part of a former textile mill that now houses artists, shops, and small businesses. Zest also operates a coffee bar in Ledyard and a café on Stonington Road in Pawcatuck.

The bakery’s holiday menu reflects its approach to baking, combining traditional favorites with seasonal ingredients and unexpected flavors. From locally grown apples and roasted pumpkins to chocolate, pecans, and warm fall spices, the selections offer a little something for nearly every Thanksgiving dessert table.

Thanksgiving Ordering and Pickup

Customers must place their orders by Sunday, November 22, 2026. Pickup is scheduled for Wednesday, November 25, between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the Velvet Mill and Ledyard locations only.

Orders can be placed online, by phone, or using the bakery’s printed order form. Customers should specify their preferred pickup location when ordering.

Zest will be closed Thanksgiving Day, November 26, and Friday, November 27.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional pumpkin pie, something chocolate-filled, or freshly baked rolls to accompany dinner, Zest’s Thanksgiving menu offers a convenient way to bring locally made treats to the holiday table.

Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.