
Whatever the occasion, it's great to know about the special dessert spots and sweet treat places around Indianapolis. Whether your child brought home a great test score, you want to enjoy a Tuesday evening after school or get some dessert as a family, this list will have you covered. And if you are looking specifically for ice cream shops around Indy, we have a list for that too!
Quack Daddy Donuts
Beth Wood: Quack Daddy Donuts in downtown Pendleton allows you to create your own donut. Start with their traditional cake donut recipe, choose your icing, then add your toppings. Icing choices include: chocolate, vanilla, caramel, glaze, strawberry or maple. Topping choices include: sprinkles, nuts, oreos, bacon, fruity pebbles, candy pieces, peanut butter drizzle, powdered sugar and more. Whichever flavor combo you come up with, they'll be happy to make it for you!
Tim's Bakery
Beth Wood: Longtime, old-fashioned bakeshop in McCordsville specializing in donuts along with muffins, pastries and other treats.
Sweeties Gourmet Treats
Beth Wood: Sweeties Gourmet Treats has something for everyone. Offering Birthday, wedding and 3D cakes, pies, cobblers, cupcakes, cookie cakes and other sweet treats, Sweeties really is your one stop shop for desserts.
Gigi's Cupcakes
Beth Wood: Baked fresh daily using Gigi's family recipes, each delicious cupcake is beautifully hand decorated. Gigi's offers cupcakes, mini cupcakes, cheesecake bites and more. Gluten friendly options available. Flavors vary by location.
Heidelberg Haus Cafe & Bakery
Dawn Denning: This is an award-winning German cafe and bakery. It is guaranteed to be a great time for your kids because they will love all the tasty treats! Some of these treats include a huge array of sweet treats and seasonal German cookies during the holiday season. Afterward, make sure you take a stroll through their gift shop and maybe spend that tooth fairy or allowance money!
Taylor's Bakery
Beth Wood: Taylor’s Bakery is a 4th generation, family-owned bakery specializing in scratch recipe birthday cakes, wedding cakes and specialty cakes. Taylor's also offers cookies, ice cream, popcorn and more. You are sure to find a treat to satisfy any sweet tooth!
Whisk Bakery and Catering
Beth Wood: This bakery specializes in homemade cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies and breakfast goods. They also do custom ordered and designed special occasion and wedding cakes. Catering as well as breakfast and lunch to go items available as well.
Flying Cupcake Bakery
Beth Wood: The Flying Cupcake Bakery provides a large selection of custom cupcakes, cakes, cookies, bars and more. They have a lovely private event space available for birthday parties, bridal showers, etc. Gluten-free and vegan options available.
Kim’s Kakery, Bakery & Café
Beth Wood: Serving the South Indianapolis and Greater Indianapolis area, Kim's Kakery, Bakery & Café not only serves lunch, but also fresh bread, pastries, cupcakes, toffees and more. Kim's can create beautiful custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies and pies for any occasion.
The Donut Shop Bakery & Restaurant
Beth Wood: Located in the South Broad Ripple area of Indianapolis. The Donut Shop offers a wide variety of cake donuts, yeast donuts, fritters, cinnamon rolls and twists - this is a one stop shop for everything Donut. Also features a full breakfast and lunch menu.
Jack's Donuts of Carmel
Beth Wood: A Carmel favorite - Jack's donuts offers a wide selection of glazed donuts, cake donuts, donut sticks, iced donuts and filled donuts in a variety of flavors such as chocolate, cinnamon sugar, maple, powdered and many more.
Pat-A-Cakes & Cookies Too
Kristy Pepping: Pat-A-Cakes and Cookies Too offers custom cakes and cookies for your special occasion. In addition to cakes, they offer fresh baked breakfast items, homemade cookies, brownies, bar cookies and chocolate éclairs.
Amelia's
Beth Wood: Charming bakery featuring daily-made breads and pastries, plus gourmet grocery items and locally roasted coffee.
The Cake Bake Shop
Beth Wood: The Cake Bake Shop is a place that will fill up your senses. Stop in for lunch (children's menu available) or a French pressed coffee with a slice of homemade cake or pie. Enjoy a cup of warm sipping chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream and a warm cookie right out of the oven. They even have an afternoon tea service on weekdays. They make all desserts every day from scratch with the best butter, chocolates, fruits, eggs and creams.
Rise'n Roll Bakery
Dawn Denning: Best known for their Cinnamon Carmel Doughnut, the other doughnuts will not disappoint either! Their Amish and preservative-free style of baking produces beautiful and delicious donuts the entire family will enjoy! In addition to the traditional doughnut flavors, see their monthly specialty offering for a special flavor!
General American Donut Company
Beth Wood: Offering handcrafted donuts that are made fresh every morning using the finest ingredients with no preservatives or pre-made mixes and sold the same day. Also features Stumptown Espresso & Coffee to pair with your donuts. Their flavors include raised glaze, pb&j, smore, raspberry key lime pie, coffee & cream, french toast with maple syrup and many others.
Main Street Treats
Beth Wood: You'll find all kinds of sweet treats at this downtown Carmel bakery in the heart of the Arts & Design District. Main Street Treats offers cookies, cupcakes, mini pies, whoopie pies, custom decorated cakes and cookies for special events and much more! Stop in for your sweet treat!
Rene's Bakery
Beth Wood: Rene's Bakery makes European-style breads and pastries for all to enjoy. Menu items include cakes, tarts, muffins, scones, croissants, breads, cookies.
White House Donuts Westfield
Beth Wood: This family-owned and operated place offers delicious hand-cut donuts made fresh daily! From old fashioned cake donuts to glazed to apple fritters - visitors won't be disappointed. They are cash only.
Boyden's Bakery
Beth Wood: A south-Indianapolis favorite, Boyden's bakery offers a large variety of donuts and breakfast sweets. They are known for their alligator coffee cake and their cannonball, as well as their more traditional donut holes, cake and glazed donuts.
Circle City Sweets
Beth Wood: Circle City Sweets is a downtown bakery located at the Historic City Market building serving bread, cakes, cookies, bars, brownies, breakfast pastries, muffins, sandwiches, candies, jam, tarts and other desserts.
Titus Bakery
Dawn R: Winner of Indy's Best Donut, Titus Bakery is a third-generation, family-owned bakery serving a variety of donuts including bismarks, danishes, honey buns, and apple fritters.
Long's Bakery
Beth Wood: Baked from scratch since 1955 - Longs bakery is a local favorite. The long lines are worth the wait for these delicious donuts and sweet treats. Variety of donut types and flavors offered daily. And come prepared, Long's is cash only.
Vanilla Bean Bakery
Beth Wood: Stop by Vanilla Bean Bakery for cupcakes, truffles, cookie and brownies. Vanilla Bean Bakery offers custom cakes, cookies and other sweets to make your next special occasion memorable.
My Sugar Pie
Dawn Denning: Called "Indiana's Food Gift," by People Magazine, it is a must try for kids that haven't tried pie. Sit down in their little cafe and try a slice of fruit, cream or a chocolate pie. There is even a unique chocolate chip cookie pie!
Confectioneiress Cupcakes & Sweets
Beth Wood: Confectioneiress Cupcakes & Sweets offers made from scratch sweet treats. Stop by the shop to grab a cupcake or to place a custom order for cupcakes, cakes, dessert bar, themed and wedding cakes.
Al's Donuts
Dawn Denning: Al's Donuts is a family-owned and operated doughnut shop that offers incredible treats and tasty options! Donuts are made fresh daily and their huge selection keeps everyone coming back for more! Enjoy your doughnuts in the early morning with their unusual business hours (they open as early as 2:30 am some days!) which is perfect for the family with early risers or parents with teething babies.
Primary photo: Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.