Family Fun
Sweetest Desserts in Minneapolis-Saint Paul
Elegant cakes, creatively-flavored scoops of ice cream, old-fashioned cookies: check out these spots for the sweetest desserts in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro region.
Date-worthy dessert spots
Treat your sweetheart to dessert at a date-worthy bakery. Bellecour Bakery in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood is famous for its crepe cake— made from 18 delicate layers of crepes and cream, this incredible cake is available by the slice. Another dessert date option in the North Loop is Edwards Dessert Kitchen, which offers swanky surroundings, a full bar, and boundary-pushing desserts by executive chef Jasmine Weiser. Although the menu changes with the season, you can always expect to find treats that look as amazing as they taste.
Prefer a romantic date night in? Pick up a dessert to savor later at Marc Heu Patisserie Paris in Saint Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood. The takeaway French bakery is known for cakes, tarts, and pastries that are edible works of art, with fresh flower and gold-leaf garnishes. You can also get desserts to-go at Cafe Latte, a local favorite that’s open late and offers a bakery case filled with cakes and cheesecakes sold by the slice—if you like chocolate, try the German chocolate or turtle cakes.
Superb scoop shops
No matter the temperature, Minnesotans love their ice cream! Grand Ole Creamery & Pizzeria has been producing super-premium ice cream since 1984, with locations in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Roseville. With more than 200 flavors, there’s always something interesting on the menu—one of the shop’s signature flavors is Black Hills Gold, a caramel ice cream with crushed Oreos and praline pecans. Make sure to get your scoop in a handmade malted waffle cone.
Treat your tastebuds to something intriguing with a scoop from Minneapolis’ Milkjam Creamery. The Uptown ice cream shop specializes in innovative flavors created by chef Sameh Wadi, like Cereal Killers, a combination of orange coriander milk and candied fruity pebbles. There are always gluten-free and vegan options available, plus creative monthly specials inspired by the season.
Other ice cream spots to check out include Hometown Sweets in Inver Grove Heights, where you can try six different flavors with an ice cream flight; and Shakopee’s Delicias Del Viejo, a Mexican-style ice cream parlor serving cones, shakes, and house-made popsicles.
Beloved bakeries
Craving cookies? Head to Baking Betty’s in Bloomington’s Mall of America. The bakery has both classic favorites like oatmeal raisin and unique creations like pug chow, a peanut butter cookie dipped in chocolate and peanut butter and rolled in Chex Mix and powdered sugar. Valley Pastries in Golden Valley is a favorite local spot, thanks to the lineup of homestyle cookies made from heirloom family recipes.
Every day is worth celebrating, so treat yourself to a slice of cake! Lakeville’s Cream of the Cakes is a cake lover’s dream, with cakes by the slice and gourmet cupcakes. Be sure to try the cake truffles, hand-rolled balls of cake and frosting that are dipped in chocolate and decorated with sprinkles or nuts. For a picture-perfect treat, check out Patrick’s Bakery & Cafe in Richfield, which features a bakery case filled with individually-sized cakes—the almond and coffee-flavored opera cake is a bestseller and is even garnished with a tiny piece of gold leaf.
If you’re passionate about pie, visit Sara’s Tipsy Pies in Stillwater. The popular Minnesota State Fair vendor operates a cozy café year round, with pastries that pair traditional pie fillings with locally-produced craft beer and wine. The boozy blueberry lemon with rose wine is a customer favorite, and other delicious flavors include whiskey pecan and apple with a beer caramel glaze.
Sweets for special diets
Find desserts that everyone can enjoy at bakeries that specialize in gluten-free and vegan options. St. Louis Park’s Hold the Wheat is a takeaway bakery that exclusively serves treats made from ingredients that are certified as gluten-free and/or processed in a wheat-free facility. Try one of the individually-sized Spencer cakes, a berry sweetie pie, or a frosting-filled oatmeal sandwich cookie.
Another St. Louis Park spot perfect for those with special diets is Muddy Paws Cheesecake Co., an artisan cheesecake bakery that offers vegan, gluten-free, and vegan gluten-free options. Over in Minneapolis, Sift Gluten Free is an entirely gluten free bakery where you can also find plenty of vegan options.
Whatever your dietary needs, you can find a delicious cupcake at the Bakery at Mason Jar Kitchen & Bar in Eagan. Many of their gourmet cupcakes are vegan or gluten-free, and the bakery also makes 15 unique flavors of gluten-free macarons.