Introduction
Houston may be known for its rich cultural scene, world-class dining, and bustling energy, but for those with a sweet tooth, it’s also a city with some of the most indulgent and sweetest treats in the world!
Whether you’re a lifelong Houstonian or just passing through, visiting these wonderful shops and sampling their delicious offerings is a must. Join us as we take a look at some of the sweetest delights Houston has to offer.
Donut Delights
Houston boasts a number of incredible donut shops, serving up hot and fresh donuts daily. We’ll have a look at two iconic donut shops that have captured the hearts (and taste buds) of Houstonians and find out just what makes them so irresistible.
Shipley’s Donuts: A Southern Tradition
For many, Shipley’s Donuts is more than just a place to grab breakfast—it’s a beloved institution. Founded right here in Houston by Lawrence Shipley Sr., this donut shop has been serving up hot, fresh, handcrafted donuts since its humble beginnings. The original Shipley’s location on North Main is where it all started.
Today, Shipley’s has expanded beyond Houston, with more than 80 stores in the local area and locations across six states. Despite this growth, the essence of Shipley’s remains firmly rooted in the city and in their founder’s vision.
If it isn’t Broke, don’t Fix it!
The donuts are made according to Lawrence Shipley’s original recipe, ensuring that each bite is as fluffy and delicious as it was decades ago. Come early to enjoy the first batch of their famous glazed donuts, coming out fresh just before the doors open each morning.
Incredible Selection of Flavors
At Shipley’s, variety is the name of the game. With 63 different donut recipes in rotation, there’s something for everyone. The plain glazed donut remains a fan favorite, but adventurous eaters can explore options like chocolate iced cake donuts, Bavarian crème-filled treats, or the decadent bear claws. And for those who like to mix things up, Shipley’s offers everything from apple fritters to fried cinnamon rolls.
Loyalty Pays Off
One of the perks of being a Shipley’s regular is their loyalty program. Not only do you earn points with every purchase, but you can also enjoy a free donut on your birthday—a sweet reward for any donut enthusiast.
River Oaks Donuts: A Boutique Donut Experience
On the other side of the donut spectrum is River Oaks Donuts, a charming boutique shop that’s brought a touch of elegance to Houston’s donut scene. Opened in 2013 by Mindy and Jeff Hildebrand, River Oaks Donuts was born out of a desire to bring high-quality, delicious donuts to the River Oaks neighborhood—a mission they’ve accomplished with style.
Conveniently located near St. John’s School and Lamar High, River Oaks Donuts offers both a drive-through option and counter service, catering to the busy lifestyles of locals. While the shop may be small, its reputation is anything but. Known for serving some of the best donuts in America, River Oaks Donuts boasts an impressive menu that ranges from classic favorites to innovative creations.
Perfect Mix of Tradition and Innovation
Their menu includes everything from the simple glazed and old-fashioned donuts to more exotic offerings like the S’mores Cake donut and Cappuccino Cream-filled donut. And if you’re a fan of kolaches, River Oaks Donuts doesn’t disappoint. Their selection, which includes BBQ brisket and traditional sausage, is the perfect complement to your donut order.
Bite Sized Wonders
Perhaps the most unique feature of River Oaks Donuts is their extensive selection of donut holes. With over 20 varieties available, it’s a perfect option for those who want to indulge without committing to a full-sized donut. Plus, for those with dietary restrictions, River Oaks Donuts offers gluten-free options, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat.
Two Donut Shops, One Sweet City
Whether you’re craving the nostalgic taste of a warm Shipley’s glazed donut, the inventive flavors of River Oaks Donuts, or one of the city’s other incredible donut shops, Houston is sure to be frying up just what you need.
Houston’s Gourmet Bakeries: Upscale Delights for the Most Refined Palettes.
When it comes to sweet indulgences, Houston’s gourmet bakeries stand out as true treasures. Let’s take a look at two of the top gourmet bakeries that have been serving up delectable treats for decades.
Dessert Gallery: A Sweet Haven in the Heart of Houston
Since 1995, Dessert Gallery has been more than just a bakery—it’s a place where memories are made, friendships are celebrated, and every bite is a testament to the love of desserts.
Founded by Sara Brook, a fifth-generation Houstonian who traded a potential career in law for the art of baking, Dessert Gallery has grown into one of Houston’s most cherished dessert destinations.
Unique Offerings Made with Heart and Soul
Sara’s passion for baking is evident in every item on the menu, from the decadent Brownie Batter Blowout Sundae to the classic Tres Leches Cake. Her creativity and dedication to her craft have kept customers coming back for nearly three decades.
But it’s not just the desserts that make Dessert Gallery special—it’s the atmosphere. With cozy locations in The Woodlands and on Kirby Drive, Dessert Gallery is a place where you can unwind, enjoy a slice of homemade cake, and sip on a latte with a friend. Their motto, “Friendship is a delicate combination of admiration, trust, empathy, two forks, and one dessert,” perfectly captures the spirit of the bakery.
Something for Everyone
Dessert Gallery caters to all, offering a variety of options including vegan desserts, gluten-friendly items, and sugar-free treats. It’s not just about satisfying a sweet tooth; it’s about creating a space where dessert becomes an experience, shared with loved ones.
Whether you’re indulging in a slice of the Old Fashioned Diner Cake or picking up a box of their frozen cookie dough to bake at home, Dessert Gallery ensures that every customer leaves with a smile.
Three Brothers Bakery: A Legacy of Sweet Traditions
Since 1949, Three Brothers Bakery has been serving Houstonians with an array of traditional Eastern European baked goods, as well as modern American favorites.
A Story of Passion, Survival, and Tradition
Steeped in history, Three Brothers Bakery is more than just a bakery—it’s a story of determination, resilience, and dedication that spans nearly 200 years. The Jucker family’s journey from a small bakery in Poland, through the horrors of war, to their successful establishment in Houston is nothing short of remarkable.
Today, Three Brothers Bakery is known for its wide selection of breads, pastries, cakes, and pies, many of which are made using original family recipes.
Baking the Expected and Unexpected
Their challah, rye bread, and bagels are legendary, but it’s their specialty items like the Pumpecapple Piecake—a three-layer pie-cake that went viral in 2014—and their award-winning pecan pie that truly set them apart.
These creations have earned them national recognition, with features on Food Network and in major publications like Bon Appétit.
Can’t Keep a Good Bakery Down
The bakery’s resilience is evident not only in its history but also in its recovery from numerous disasters, including hurricanes and floods. Yet, despite these challenges, Three Brothers Bakery continues to thrive, expanding to multiple locations across Houston and maintaining a strong presence in the community.
Nationally Recognized Excellence
It’s not just the locals that recognize the quality of the bakery, the whole country knows! The bakery has appeared in numerous magazines, on television, and, in 2017, Three Brothers’ Key Lime Pie won the 2017 National Pie Championship!
With every visit to Three Brothers Bakery, you’re not just enjoying a delicious treat, you’re becoming part of a legacy that has touched the lives of countless Houstonians and won praise and recognition across the nation.
Houston’s Sweet Gems
Dessert Gallery and Three Brothers Bakery are not just places to satisfy your sweet cravings—they are parts of Houston’s cultural fabric, representing the passion, determination, and endurance that comes to mind when people think of the city.
Houston’s Sweetest Scoops: Fat Cat Creamery and Milk + Sugar Creamery
There’s no denying it, on a hot Texas day, nothing beats the heat like a scoop of favorite flavor in a cup or on a cone. Perhaps it’s due to our blistering hot summer days, but Houston boasts some of the best ice cream shops anywhere.
Two of our favorites are Fat Cat Creamery and Milk + Sugar Creamery, two parlors that have taken the art of ice cream to delicious new heights. Though different in style and philosophy, both are must-visits for anyone who loves a scoop (or two) of creative, high-quality ice cream.
Fat Cat Creamery: The Purrrfect Scoop
At Fat Cat Creamery, the emphasis is on handcrafted, small-batch ice cream made with the finest local ingredients. The “cats” behind the creamery take pride in their sustainable practices, from using compostable packaging made from leftover wheat straw to crafting every batch of ice cream in-house with care and precision.
Locally Sourced, and Proud of it!
Their dedication to quality shines through in every scoop. The base ingredients—whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, and egg yolks—come from local Texas farmers like Mill-King Creamery and Ole Dad Farms, ensuring that every flavor is as fresh as it is delicious.
Everyday Favorites and Unexpected Delights
The ice cream itself is rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor, whether you’re indulging in their signature Cat’s Meow Mexican Vanilla or something a little more adventurous, like the Milk Chocolate Stout, made with Convict Hill Oatmeal Stout beer.
Something for Everyone
Fat Cat’s menu offers a delightful mix of five core flavors that are available year-round and a rotating selection of seasonal options. The seasonal offerings are particularly inventive, featuring flavors like Salted Butter Caramel, Raspberry Beret Sorbet (dairy-free), and the boozy Whiskey Butter Pecan. They even cater to those with dietary restrictions, with dairy-free options like Chai Tea Coconut and Coconut Vanilla Bean.
A Little Extra Something
Beyond the ice cream itself, Fat Cat Creamery elevates the experience with a variety of homemade toppings and treats. From ice cream sandwiches to bon-bons and sundaes, everything is crafted with the same commitment to quality and flavor. This is not just ice cream; it’s a labor of love.
Milk + Sugar Creamery: Sweet Dreams Realized
Milk + Sugar Creamery is the brainchild of a husband-and-wife duo whose passion for ice cream drove them to create something truly special. Their mission was simple: to craft ice cream that goes beyond the basics, blending exciting flavors with innovative mix-ins to create a dessert experience that’s nothing short of addictive.
Fresh Ingredients and Fresh Flavors
Located in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, Milk + Sugar quickly became a beloved spot for ice cream enthusiasts. The shop’s charm lies not just in its rustic, Montrose-inspired decor but also in its commitment to freshness and creativity. The couple makes each flavor in small batches, ensuring that everything from the base to the mix-ins is made in-house.
As a result, their ice cream is exceptionally creamy, with a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
Not Your Everyday Flavors
The menu at Milk + Sugar Creamery is a rotating delight of unique flavor combinations. Favorites include “Heart of Glass,” a cream cheese ice cream studded with house-made cinnamon sugar blondies, and “City That Never Sleeps,” which features coffee and pretzel ice cream swirled with chocolate flakes. For those who love a nostalgic twist, “Oatmeal Cream Pie” combines toasted marshmallow ice cream with chunks of oatmeal cookies, while “Happy Wife” mixes sweet cream ice cream with almond pound cake.
Year-round Innovation
What sets Milk + Sugar apart is their commitment to keeping things fresh and exciting. They aim to keep 25% of their menu seasonal, with new flavors introduced regularly to keep customers coming back for more. And come back they do—often finding that their favorite flavor has already sold out, a testament to the creamery’s popularity and the freshness of their product.
The Scoop on Houston’s Ice Cream Scene
Whether you’re a purist looking for classic flavors done right or an adventurer in search of something new and exciting, Fat Cat Creamery and Milk + Sugar Creamery are each bringing their unique flair to the city’s frozen dessert landscape.
Sweet Dreams
We hope you enjoyed this journey through some of the best desserts Houston has to offer. Whether you are looking for a warm glazed donut, a decadent slice of cake, or a cold scoop of your favorite frozen treat, this city has just the dessert you are looking for!
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