This quaint bakery is the go-to place for cupcakes – it has nearly 50 flavours including lemon, key lime pie and honey lavender, and all of them are said to be excellent. Not a cupcake fan? It also serves brownies, pound cakes, macarons, cream pies and cookies. And if you're not in the Homewood area, you can order any of its treats online for pick-up at its café in Hoover.

This local Alaskan bakery is truly prized in the community. Opened in 1963, you’ll usually find regulars reading the newspaper and eating huge breakfasts. On the menu are freshly-baked loaves, cinnamon rolls and sourdough pancakes. The latter is a must-try as legend has it the sourdough starter culture dates from when the bakery first fired up its ovens.

Residents of Arizona know the best place for freshly-baked goods has got to be Lior the Baker. This Israeli-influenced bakery serves fluffy babka, almond challah, rugelach, as well as pastries and croissants. It was even awarded Best Bakery 2019 by Phoenix New Times.

Opened in 1947, Community Bakery is a local institution having opened a second branch and relocated a few times in its 70 years. It has received awards in the Arkansas Times Best of Arkansas awards nearly every year since they were established for its range of filled bagels, breakfast pastries, pies and exquisite patisserie. Customers can’t get enough of the glazed doughnuts either.

This San Francisco outlet is widely known as one of the best bakeries in California – if not the country – with owners Belinda Leong and Michel Suas winners of the 2018 James Beard Outstanding Baker award. b. patisserie serves buttery, French-style pastries, as well as cakes, macarons and tartines (open sandwiches). The customer favourite is the kouign amann, an extremely rich and crispy croissant-like pastry. It's open for online ordering and walk-in takeaway orders.

After closing its outpost at Denver’s food market The Source, Longmont is where you have to go to get hold of Babettes' freshly baked breads, which have a cult following. Customers also absolutely love the flaky pastries, croissants and wood-fired pizza slices, although it serves small plates for take-out too. If you pre-order you can pick up its goods from a few other local businesses in town.

This French bake shop in Mystic is the spot everyone is talking about. Its owner Adam Young received Best Baker in America 2018 on Food Network’s baking competition show. On the menu is sourdough baguettes, focaccia and multi-grain loaves, every breakfast pastry imaginable, as well as tortes, tarts, mille-feuille (custard slice) and highly-praised macarons.

For “cannoli oozing with filling” residents of Delaware know the area’s oldest purveyor of sweet treats Bing’s Bakery, is the place to go. Opened in 1871, it serves cream pies, custom-made cakes, pastries, cheesecakes and cookies. It’s no wonder it has so many returning customers.

Calling itself Miami’s most famous Cuban restaurant, Versailles also happens to be home to one of the area’s best bakeries. Busy every day with a steady stream of loyal customers, Miamians flock there for the sweet and savoury pastries, empanadas, Cuban grilled sandwiches, cannoli and friendly service. The Cuban coffee is also a hit.

A nostalgic Southern bakery owned by James Beard-nominated couple Cheryl Day and Griffith Back. At Back in the Day Bakery the signatures are the vanilla cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies and lavender shortbreads, but customers also rave about the biscuits with jelly, banana pudding and brownies. The dining room is currently closed, so order online for home delivery or pick-up.

Operating for 70 years, this bakery and diner is said to be one of the best in America. It has three locations and visitors are passionate about its cream puffs (pastry stuffed with green tea or chocolate-flavoured cream), loco moco (rice topped with a hamburger patty and fried egg), passionfruit doughnuts and banana pancakes.

Recipient of Boise Weekly's Best Local Bakery crown nearly every year since 2010, Zeppole Baking Company is the place to go for delicious, freshly-baked bread. The sourdough and sweet breads such as cranberry and chocolate come highly recommended, but it also serves kalamata olive or jalapeño ciabatta, Cheddar scallion loaf, rye bread and challah.

All the bread at Baker Miller is made from grains it mills itself, which is why many think it’s one of the best bakeries in the country. It also bakes unmissable pies including key lime, chocolate and pecan, plus blueberry oat muffins and cinnamon rolls which can be ordered online for home delivery and curbside pick-up.

This relatively new French-inspired bakery is said to have the best croissants in the area. Opened in 2017 by Jenna Tucker whose childhood dream was to own a bakery, the menu contains only things she loves to bake. Expect double chocolate shortbread, chocolate chunk cookies, brownies, tarts and macarons.

For authentic Dutch treats such as Dutch letters, apple bread, stroopwafels and white walnut bars, Jaarsma Bakery is the place to go. Family-owned and operated since 1898, the recipes are those founder Harmon Jaarsma brought over from Holland. Everything is created daily by the fourth-generation bakers, and customers don’t have a bad word to say.

It’s only good reviews at Dolce Bakery which is known for having some of the best cinnamon rolls in Kansas City (an area surprisingly fanatical about the sweet treat). It also offers orange rolls, pumpkin rolls and caramel pecan rolls for those keen to try something different. Look out for the spectacularly decorated celebration cakes, chewy cookies, iced biscuits and macarons too.

If you want old school, head to Plehn’s Bakery in Louisville. Established in 1924, it has a nostalgic vibe and serves doughnuts, pies, cakes and cookies using largely the same recipes as when it first opened. Kuchen is one of its most-requested items – it's a sweet dough filled with apple, cherry, cinnamon and butter. It was also a winner of the LEO Weekly Readers’ Choice Award 2019.

This French bakery is without a doubt one of the best in the state. In operation for over 50 years, it keeps the locals coming back for fresh bread, quiche, cakes and pastries. The traditional Mardi Gras king cakes that go on sale around February are always a big hit. Customers are asked to wear face coverings when visiting its store.

This James Beard Outstanding Baker 2018 finalist has received a lot of positive attention over the year. And for good reason, as its baguettes, focaccias, and multigrain and flavoured loaves are exceptional. Be sure to check out the sweet options such as the flourless cakes and chocolate babka too.

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Both vegans and non-vegans adore Harmony Bakery in Baltimore for its gluten-free and plant-based sweet and savoury bakes. Top choices include the bagel melt with avocado, roasted mushrooms and cashew mozzarella, the samoa bars (shortbread topped with caramel, coconut and a drizzle of chocolate) and the chocolate-glazed doughnuts. You can order online for pick-up or in person at the walk-up window from Thursday to Sunday.

For fluffy choux buns stuffed with cream look no further than Modern Pastry in Boston. It’s a family-owned spot customers flock to for traditional Italian sweets such as marzipan fruit, lobster tails (crisp pastry filled with custard cream), ricotta pie, cream puffs, pistachio nougat and éclairs. But the favourite has got to be the cannoli. Find it at two locations, Medford and North End.

This bright corner bakery in Detroit quickly gained a reputation for baking the best pies. They have flaky, buttery crusts and incredible sweet and savoury fillings such as apple, sage and gouda, sweet potato apple streusel, and ginger peach. Since the pandemic it has halted normal service, offering a selection of groceries and baked goods for pick-up and sidewalk sale. Keep up to date with the latest on Facebook.

The light and airy pastries at tiny French bakery Marc Heu Patisserie Paris are worth the weekend queue, which is especially long due to social distancing. But place an order online and withstand the wait because you’ll be rewarded with the most exceptional chocolate croissants, pain aux raisins, raspberry rose éclairs, and passion fruit and raspberry tarts – you won’t be disappointed.

This hidden bakery just behind Bay Book on Main Street has been said to sell the best bread on the East Coast by ardent fans. It offers artisan bakes such as jalapeño cheese sourdough, garlic and rosemary flatbread, and olive levain (a sourdough). While you're there be sure to pick up a giant oatmeal cinnamon raisin cookie.

This Kirkwood bakery specialising in French patisserie and chocolate is run by James Beard-nominated Nathaniel Reid. Customers can't get enough of the chocolate almond croissant and macarons in flavours such as Sicilian pistachio and coconut milk chocolate. In need of some lunch? It also has savoury sandwiches, check out the roast beef on poppy seed bread. Face coverings are required when visiting.

Around since 1978, Bernice’s Bakery is where locals go for elegant birthday cakes, Thanksgiving pie orders, bread rolls, sandwiches, breakfast pastries and coffees. Special mentions go to the key lime pie, lemon blueberry muffin and croissants, but everything is better than what you’d find in a supermarket. You can go into the store or opt for curbside pick-up.

At this small family-run bakery, doughnuts are the star of the show – there's the fluffy, glazed type plus cake doughnuts and croissant doughnuts. You'll also find cookies, cakes, breads and kolach (an eastern European sweet pastry filled with fruit or cream cheese). Some customers say it's the best in Nebraska.

This third-generation bakery established in 1959 is one of the most famous in Las Vegas. It’s known for its incredible cakes, having featured on Food Network's Vegas Cakes with huge and unforgettable creations. The tiramisu dessert cake with espresso and brandy-soaked sponge, sweet mascarpone cream and espresso whipped cream is one of the favourites. Order online, via email or over the phone for pick-up and delivery, or visit one of three Las Vegas locations (face coverings must be worn).

Recently relocated from Oklahoma, this artisan bakery produces the best rustic bread in the state and even mills its grains in-house. Expect unusual but enticing options such as saffron semolina bread and wholegrain sourdough with walnuts, as well as mouth-watering pastries.

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For stunning French patisserie in New Jersey, head to Sook Pastry in Ridgewood. The small but beautiful café and bakery has cases of fruit tarts, chocolate mousse cakes, pastries, macarons and muffins. It’s not all sweet either as you can pick up a fresh loaf of cinnamon walnut or cheese bread.

This neighbourhood bakery which has been in operation since 1972 is one of the best in the state. Head there for sweet or savoury empanadas, biscochitos (spiced biscuits) and conchas (sweet bread with a crunchy topping). It never fails to impress its hundreds of loyal customers.

This New York favourite is no ordinary bakery. Supermoon Bakehouse specialises in doughnuts and pastries, but not as you know them. Its colourful offering includes a raspberry cheesecake croissant filled with cream cheese patisserie and raspberry mint jam. It’s also home to the cruffin, a croissant muffin hybrid.

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If you need a cake in Charlotte, make a beeline for Villani’s. It makes cakes for birthdays and occasions in flavours such as bananas foster, Boston cream pie and red velvet, and its staff are amazingly helpful. It also sells Italian treats including biscotti, cannoli, Napoleon (layers of custard and pastry, topped with a glaze) and sfingi (pastry filled with sweetened ricotta).

When in Fargo, Nichole’s Fine Pastry is not to be missed. Gourmet pastry is the order of the day here, expect to see a colourful array of cheesecakes, pies, pastries, truffles, mousse cakes and fruit tarts. It's also worth stopping in for a pulled pork panini or smoked salmon bagel at lunch.

This bakery and café is known for its artisan breads which it bakes on a weekly schedule. On Monday you might find raisin walnut and honey wholewheat, whereas on Wednesday the offering includes rustic olive and cherry oatmeal. Customers also go mad for the lunch menu which include The New Yorker – corned beef, aged Swiss cheese, house-made slaw and Russian dressing on dark pumpernickel rye.

Heading down Route 66? Love fresh-baked bread and smoked meats? Then stopping in at Front Porch Bakery is a no brainer. Everything you get here is good, be that cinnamon rolls, egg custard pie, peanut butter cookies or custom-made birthday cake. It also has gluten-free options.

A Portland legend, Ken’s Artisan Bakery has been pleasing locals with its buttery, stuffed croissants since it opened in 2001. Try the fan favourite, herbed goats’ cheese and leek or the seasonal sweet potato croissant glazed with maple syrup and topped with pecans, if you’re a dessert person. There may be a queue, but it's worth it. It's currently open for walk-ups only.

This Argentine bakery is a West Philly favourite for a quick lunch. On the menu are mouth-watering treats such as poppy seed bagels filled with mortadella and aioli, lemon pie, torta de ricotta, medialunas (Argentinian croissants) topped with passion fruit custard, and chocolate apple cake with a crispy marshmallow top.

This bright blue bakery in Providence gets glowing reviews from locals and visitors alike. The buttery, custard-filled fruit tart is consistently praised (at the moment it has a festive-looking cranberry and raspberry compote one) and the chocolate torte is said to be so good it ruins all others for you. If that isn’t a recommendation, we don’t know what is.

This quirky little bakeshop in Charleston offers pies, cakes, cookies and tarts that never fail to impress. However, what customers really visit for are the cupcakes, which come in flavours such as caramel, mocha, mint and vanilla blueberry. They're said to be lovely and moist, and look beautiful.

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From world champion pastry chef and winner of the second season of Top Chef, CH Patisserie in Sioux Falls is up there with some of the best bakeries in the country. It serves French macarons in pastel shades almost too good to eat and sweet treats such as pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate chip coffee cupcakes, flourless chocolate cake and caramel brioche.

For creative takes on bakery classics such as Danish pastries and croissants, head to the bakery at Sour Duck Market in Austin. The savoury options – which include a Danish with pork and chicken rillettes, and a croissant with pastrami, Swiss cheese and béchamel – are to die for.

The ultimate feel-good bakery, Muddy’s has cupcakes in every colour, such as Prozac (addictive chocolate cake with icing) and Plain Janes (made with the best quality vanilla). At the moment only its Memphis branch is open and you can order online for pick-up or walk in from Thursday to Saturday.

This old-fashioned pastry shop is one of Salt Lake City's best loved. It’s famous for its éclairs, but you’ll also find bear claws, cinnamon rolls, orange tea rolls, cupcakes and cream puffs. The prices are incredibly reasonable (a brownie costs under a dollar) and the staff are the most thoughtful, friendly people.

It’s difficult deciding on the best bakery in the Green Mountain State as there are so many, but Sticky Fingers in West Dover gets great reviews. It serves a variety of loaves such as honey wheat, three-seed, black olive and garlic, and challah. However, customers really go there for the sweet pastries and cinnamon buns.

A 24-hour bakery with socially-distanced indoor dining, Blackbird Bakery is the perfect place to escape. It serves a whole host of baked goods including bread, Danish pastries, apple fritters, brownies, cakes, cupcakes, cheesecake and fruit tarts. The reviews are always phenomenal, especially for the doughnuts which come in a wide variety of flavours.

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This Seattle-based bakery with three outposts is known for serving the best pastries in the city. It goes beyond the classics, with options including a cream cheese and fruit Danish, twice-baked almond croissants (a customer favourite) and a croissant with a layer of spinach and feta. 

The oldest town in West Virginia is home to one of the best bakeries in the state, located in a 200-year-old building. Sweet Shop started off specialising in rustic-style breads including pumpernickel, sunflower rye, tomato rosemary bread and sourdough. But more recently the bakery expanded its offering, much to the delight of cupcake, cookie and doughnut fans.

This bakery on a farm is proud to claim the title of best apple pie in America. Its secret is to bake it in a paper bag for a crunchy lid and flaky bottom. Other favourites include the homemade fudge, cookies, bread and muffins. 

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A picturesque French-style bakery in Jackson, Persephone serves highly-rated coffee and pastries. There are flaky almond croissants, crunchy cinnamon brioche, chocolate chip cookies, scones and cakes. There are locations in Jackson and Wilson.

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