There was a time when food was a theme park afterthought, but Knott's Berry Farm was founded on its food, and continues to build its menu, especially during the holidays.
From the backend of November to January 7, the Southern California park transforms itself into Knott's Merry Farm, breaking out an array of holiday specific foods, putting you in the holiday spirit as the temperatures begin to drop, and your tummy begins to grumble.
From Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Cheesecakes, to Christmas Pizzas, the wintertime food at Knott's is nothing to scoff at, as Chef Bobby Obezo and the Knott's food team make sure that serious thought is put into holiday items, for the sake of our enjoyment, really.
We got ourselves in the Christmas spirit and tried all their special holiday goodness. Check it out below:
1. Chocolate-Dipped Cheesecake On A Stick – Santa's Cabin
We'll start off with one of our favorites, the chocolate-dipped cheesecake on a stick. It's exactly what it sounds like, as they put a slice of cheesecake on a stick, dip it into a chocolate fountain, top it with bits of crushed candy cane, and let the chocolate cool for an amazing combination of sweet flavors partying in your mouth.
2. Boysenberry and Nutella-Stuffed Crepe – Santa's Cabin
Knott's combined their famous Boysenberry with Nutella and stuffed it inside a warm crepe. What else do you need to know to convince you to run over and grab a bite? It's topped with a drizzle of chocolate and raspberry sauce, and has a little powdered sugar on top, making this another go-to dessert.
3. Christmas Tamales – Santa's Cabin
The holidays are when tamales shine in Mexican-American traditions, and while everyone has their own way of making them, Knott's went with festive red and green tamales. The salsa roja tamale is filled with tender beef, while the salsa verde tamale is filled with chicken. They really did right by the masa, as it's not too thick, nor chewy. It's just right.
4. Holiday Churro – The Churro Factory
Knott's is known for its hand-pressed churros, as you can literally watch them being made right front of you. For the holidays, they're putting a twist – or rather, a curve – on their classic churros, shaping them like candy canes.
Filled with candy cane Bavarian cream, glazed with white chocolate ganache, and sprinkled with, well, sprinkles, this churros will definitely make you feel jolly.
5. Santa Hat Snoopy Cookie – Santa's Cabin
The Snoopy sugar cookie is a favorite year-round, and with it being Christmas time, the little homie's rocking a Santa hat.
6. Hot Chocolate – The Churro Factory
You can already feel the winter breeze, and nothing says "Christmas" quite like hot chocolate. Get one of these with a churro and you're set.
7. Holiday Kettle Corn – Santa's Cabin
This colorful kettle candy corn consists of three flavors that just feel and taste like the holidays. They've got cinnamon (red), caramel (gold), and peppermint (green). It's something quick, portable and easy to snack on while you wait in line for Ghostrider.
8. Christmas Pizza – Hollywood Hits
This pizza will really stimulate your senses, as you've probably never had anything close to it. Instead of tomato sauce, the Christmas pizza has a bottom layer of cranberry and yam puree.
It's then topped with turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, sliced Brussels sprouts, gravy and a bit of cranberry sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, this pizza will not disappoint.
9. Holiday Smoked Turkey Sandwich – Boardwalk BBQ
Just because Thanksgiving is over doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good "leftovers"-style sandwich. This holiday sandwich has a healthy serving of smoked turkey, some amazing stuffing that they wouldn't give me the secret recipe to, and some cranberry sauce to give you a sweet and savory flavor at the same time.
10. Knott's Famous Beef Stew In A Sourdough Bread Bowl – Ghost Town Bakery and Ghost Town Grill
With it being a little cooler outside, we're throwing in Knott’s Famous Beef Stew in a sourdough bread bowl, even though it's available year-round. It's hard to beat a slow-cooked beef stew, but add a bread bowl to the mix and you've got some serious magic happening in your mouth.
By Evan Lancaster
A journalist focusing on news and anything that's trending. Insists that cherry flavoring makes any soft drink better. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram at @ThatsThatFuego.
Created in partnership with Knott's Berry Farm