If you’re a carb-aholic, doughnut-fiend or cupcake lovah, check out these top 10 amazing bakeries from around the country. You’ll find your favorite made-from-scratch goodies sourced from local, fresh ingredients nestled between each sweet-smelling wall.
Tiina hard at work at the Petticoat Row Bakery in Nantucket.
When you talk to a baker, there are a few things you’ll notice. For one, the flour on their pants and in their hair. Second, their concentration and precision, the way they focus on every knead or gentle swipe of the frosting-covered knife. Third, you’ll notice their passion. The way they light up when they talk about what they’re baking. That’s why we decided to round up our 10 favorite bakeries and the amazing people who make each fluffy biscuit, crispy French baguette and decadent cupcake.
Baked, Brooklyn, New York
When Oprah calls something you’ve baked “one of her favorite things” you deserve to be on our list. Baked, located in Brooklyn, received this honor with their fudgy chocolate brownie. In addition to brownies, the owners, Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito, also make a mean chocolate chunk cookie.
Tartine Bakery & Cafe, San Francisco, California
The crispy, fluffy French baguettes and warm and doughy croissants coming out of the ovens at Tartine are well worth the one + hour wait. Although much of the menu is French-inspired, much like the couple who run it, you can also find flaky tres leches cakes, lemon cream tarts and an assortment of cafe paninis.
Upper Crust, Austin, Texas
Barbecue isn’t the only thing you’ll find in Austin. Upper Crust, located in the trendy Rosedale neighborhood, is putting this hip town on the baking map. From sweet cinnamon and sugar rolls to blueberry pies, there’s a treat here for anyone, any time. Their Italian cream cake is another must-have.
Gracious Cafe & Bakery, New Orleans, Louisiana
If you’re in the mood for something truly unique, stop by the Gracious Cafe & Bakery while in NOLA. Here you’ll find freshly baked pretzel croissants, crispy rustic American breads, brookies (a brownie/cookie hybrid) and a fun twist on Southern pecan pie.
Petticoat Row Bakery, Nantucket, Massachusetts
Founded by husband and wife team Don and Tiina, Petticoat Row Bakery is one of Nantucket’s best-kept secrets. The croissants (chocolate and butter) and muffins are a favorite among the island’s locals and tourists. You can’t leave without trying one of their adorable (and famed) whale sugar cookies or one of their gigantic macarons.
Baked and Wired, Washington, D.C.
When you’re up at 2 a.m. making breads, rolls, muffins and sweets, coffee becomes your lifeline. Which could be why Theresa Velazquez, owner of Baked and Wired, takes her coffee as seriously as her fluffy cupcakes. Our favorite thing to order is the strawberry pistachio pie, which pairs perfectly with a shot of espresso.
Sugar Bakeshop, Charleston, South Carolina
Situated in a perfectly restored building on Cannon Street in Charleston, Sugar Bakeshop has become one of Charleston’s most talked about eateries. We don’t know what we love more, the boozy Lady Baltimore cupcakes, perfect pound cake or the trendy distressed walls inside.
Star Provisions, Atlanta, Georgia
This 3,500 square foot beast, er market, is a foodie’s dream. Even though you could spend hours plucking the best aged beef steak or stinky Stilton cheese from the meat and cheese markets at Star Provisions, you’ll find yourself planted next to the breads. From golden raisin sultana to the most perfect French sourdough, you’ll end up leaving with enough bread to feed an army.
Dominique Ansel Bakery, New York City
I mean, the dude married a croissant a doughnut together, we have to include him on our list, right? Even though you’d have to be stuck in a hole to not know what a cronut is, those aren’t all that make up Dominique Ansel Bakery, a NYC institution. The salted pistachio religieuse, hazelnut caramelia cake and raspberry Charlotte are just as incredible.
Floriole, Chicago, Illinois
You won’t find just breads and cookies in this Lincoln Park cafe and bakery. Floriole has everything from oven-fired pizza, caramel pecan sticky buns and creme fraiche tea cakes to cafe sandwiches. Our favorite has to be the Gateau Basque, which is an almond cake filled with thick and sweet pastry cream.
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