9 Sweet Dessert Places Around Boston

Amanda Banta:  Stepping into Fratelli's is as close to being a kid in a candy store that you can be without going back to your childhood. The baked goods, from hand-sized whoopie pies to Italian pastry bites, are as beautiful as they are delicious. The variety of cupcakes (Oreo Creamy Dreamy anyone?) will make it tough to decide on one, so just go ahead and order a second to take home for later.

My son who doesn't have a big sweet tooth goes nuts for the huge chocolate chip cookies every time. EVERY time.

If you can't wait until afternoon for a sweet fix stop in for a Danish or a muffin on the morning commute.

Erynn:  Hand cut old-fashioned donuts and coffee are staples at this family-owned donut shop. Other slightly savory breakfast options include bagels and breakfast sandwiches. Traditional donut flavors don't get too wild and crazy, but delicious staples like honey dip and Boston creme always delight.

Erynn:  Looking for donuts and more for breakfast? Twin Donut couples its original donut flavors (honeydew or chocolate dip, anyone?) with other breakfast staples like sausage, home fries, omelettes, and even homemade sweet squares and breads.

Twin Donuts serves a full breakfast and lunch menu, so stop in later in the day too for grill and cafe favorites.

Amanda Banta:  Union Square Donuts are made from scratch daily and feature a selection that stands out from the shop on every corner. The shop offers seasonal flavors like Raspberry Lime Rickey, Blueberry Jam and Carrot Cake in addition to its steady rotation of Vanilla Bean, Belgian Dark Chocolate and Sea Salted Bourbon Caramel.

Union Square also has a selection of vegan donuts.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Mike's Pastry has been a Boston staple of deliciousness since 1946 when it was founded by Michael Mercogliano. Mike, who moved to Boston at age 12 from Italy, learned how to create the perfect cannoli and the rest is history. There may be long lines at their three shops (the original shop is in the North End) but their menu of melt-in-your-mouth cookies, pastries, biscotti, brownies, macaroons and over 15 varieties of their famous cannolis is so worth the wait.

Erynn:  Donuts, muffins, cookies, and plenty of breakfast pastries and sandwiches are ready to flavor up your morning at Mike's. Of course, what's a donut without coffee, and Mike's has flavored coffees, cappucino, espresso, and even a "box of Joe" option that services 15 to go. Even grab a smoothie with breakfast, or stick around for lunch and a soft serve cone later in the day!

Amanda Banta:  Blackbird Doughnuts prides itself on using local, natural ingredients in its house-made donuts. The shop's cake and raised donuts are topped, glazed, frosted and presented in a variety of delicious flavors like cookies and cream, vanilla bean and cinnamon roll. Blackbird has a Fenway area location and baseball fans of all ages can pick up a donut frosted with baseball laces.

Amanda Banta:  Doughboy Donuts' reputation for delicious donuts spreads far beyond the city limits. The donuts, deli and coffee make it an option for satisfying a craving any time of day. Doughboy experiments with flavors and decorating. They always have something ready for each season and holiday, like maple bacon or sticking bright yellow Peeps on donuts for Easter. In addition, Doughboy also offers traditional offerings like glazed and chocolate cake.

Amanda Banta:  The homemade donuts at family-owned Kane's has been making the Saugus shop destination for Bostonians and tourists for decades. The shop offers all the traditional flavors like honey dip and Boston cream, but spices up the offerings with turtle, cookies and cream and maple bacon. Then there is a menu of monthly flavors that hits up the tastes of each season.