From cookie dough by the scoop to candy cocktails, ooey gooey cookies or bakeries specializing in cheesecakes, cannolis and brownies — Cincinnati is home to plenty of outrageous options for when that sweet tooth strikes.
Donna’s Gourmet Cookies 10796 Montgomery Road, Montgomery This cookie shop serves up massive, gooey cookies in addition to pecan bars, brownies, decorated sugar cookies and more. Donna’s also caters events. Photo via Facebook/DonnasGourmetCookies
OTR Candy Bar 1735 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine The shop feels a bit like the candy store from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, chock full of sticky sweets, and an entire table devoted to out-of-the-box candies. Then there’s an actual bar upon which a sharply dressed candy barista will make you a float using the vintage soda of your choice, dressed with a piece of old-fashioned candy. They also offer boozy, candy-clad cocktails like the Sour Patch Kids Martini: Gin, sweet and sour mix, DeKuyper Grape Pucker, pineapple juice and Sour Patch Kids garnish. Photo: Izzy Viox
The Cheesecakery 4901 Whetsel Ave., Madisonville The bakery features over 75 different flavors of cheesecake and all are available in a signature cupcake size, as well as in cheesecake pops and minis. There are three different categories for the cheesecake flavors — signatures, candies and marbles. Flavors all have Cincinnati-themed names and include 75 South Key Lime, Bengal Tiger Turtle and the Mt. Adams Milky Way. Photo: Adam Doty
Del Gardo’s 18 E. Fifth St., Covington Steve Del Gardo claims he can make a cannoli from any flavor imaginable. The menu at his Covington shop, which opened in 2018, reflects that ambition with flavors ranging from birthday cake batter to French toast to bourbon eggnog. During CityBeat’s Brunched event, Del Gardo’s offered a bloody mary-inspired cannoli. Photo via Facebook/DelGardosCannoli
NoBaked 5655 Deerfield Blvd., Mason Flavors including peanut butter, red velvet, brownie batter chip, cookies n’ cream and more can be found on the shop’s menu, not to mention a variety of toppings like Nutella, M&M’s and marshmallows. For those really looking to go all-out in feeding their sugar addiction, the dough can be ordered in a waffle cone, topped with ice cream or as part of a sundae or milkshake. Photo via Facebook/NoBakedCinci
Buckabee Brownies 4756 Cornell Road, Blue Ash Buckabee Brownies is a bakeshop that specializes in brownies and blondies, offering a wide variety of flavors plus a specialty brownie of the day. Don’t miss their raspberry and white chocolate, root beer float or their salted caramel brownies. Photo: Paige Deglow
streetpops 4720 Vine St., St. Bernard Grown-up ice pops made from unique combinations of fresh ingredients and unexpected flavors, like peach tea, Thai basil lime, Vietnamese coffee, lemon lavender and more. Find them in your grocer’s freezer or local pop-up markets and events. Photo via Facebook/Streetpops
Buzzed Bull Creamery 1408 Main St., Over-the-Rhine The chemistry behind Buzzed Bull’s frozen, alcohol-infused desserts seems like magic. Liquid nitrogen is an odorless, colorless, safe-to-eat element that freezes the ingredients it comes into contact with, including alcohol. They serve alcoholic flavors like honey bourbon, margarita and whiskey sour, but there are plenty of non-alcoholic options, too. Try a flight to enjoy a variety of their tasty offerings. Photo via Facebook/BuzzedBullCreamery
Brown Bear Bakery 116 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati pastry artist Blair Fornshell uses all-natural ingredients to create so-beautiful-you-almost-feel-bad-about-eating-them desserts, such as salty chocolate chip cookies, gooey cinnamon rolls and a variety of matcha-infused baked goods like their Matchadoodle cookie. The OTR bakery and café space is the perfect blend of old and new and has a very Lower Manhattan vibe. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Pendleton Parlor 1218 Broadway St., Pendleton Helmed by the Ganims, Cincinnati’s royal family of soft serve. Pendleton Parlor is their third ice cream shop overall and their first downtown — they also own the Mt. Washington Creamy Whip and Old Milford Parlor. Pendleton Parlor’s big draw is their “Side by Side” dish, which is a scoop of edible raw cookie dough (available in four flavors, but core offerings always include chocolate chip cookie and sugar cookie with sprinkles) alongside some ice cream; simple and sweet all year long. Those seeking out a caffeine buzz alongside their sugar rush can also order from a small menu of espresso drinks. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Macaron Bar 1206 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 3431 Edwards Road, Hyde Park In the past, the closest thing Cincinnati had to Paris was the Eiffel Tower replica at Kings Island. Now we have Macaron Bar, the only bakery and coffee shop specializing in the brightly colored French pastry, which offers traditional and seasonal macarons, with flavors like salted caramel, Earl Grey tea and pistachio. Photo via Facebook/MacaronBarCincinnati
Maverick Chocolate 129 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine; 2651 Edmondson Road, Rookwood This bean-to-bar chocolatier in Findlay Market creates a variety of chocolate treats with ethically sourced cocoa beans. In the wintertime, stop by for their house-made hot chocolate. Photo via Facebook/MaverickChocolate
Ruby’s Chocolates 6741 Gilmore Rd Suite D, Hamilton/i> Ruby’s Chocolates is a sweet-lovers wonderland. Offering made-from-scratch (and with lots of love) desserts ranging from their decadent truffles, with flavors like turtle truffle, cookies and cream and key lime pie, to extravagant “Joy Sticks,” which are pretzels enrobed with caramel, chocolate, peanut butter and other toppings, plus brittle, buckeyes and more. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Schneider’s Sweet Shop 420 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue This old-time candy and ice cream corner store has been serving the area since 1939. They offer homemade ice cream and a wide variety of chocolates and candies, like their ever-popular opera cream candy. Don’t forget to try the local favorite ice ball while you’re there — it’s kind of like a Sno-Cone with the option to add ice cream. Photo: Izzy Viox
Hello Honey 633 Vine St., Downtown Opened by husband and wife team Brian and Pook Nicely, Hello Honey crafts homemade ice creams using fresh ingredients, free from artificial flavor and color. They offer creative flavors like the charcoal black sesame or the banana honey comb. Opt for a freshly-made waffle cone and a house-made toasted marshmallow. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Buona Terra 1028 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout This European-style cafe offers street food in addition to gelato. Expect savory and sweet crepes — with fillings like lemon curd, Nutella, pastry cream and brown sugar — made with something similar to pancake batter. They also serve colorful French macarons. Photo via Facebook/BuonaTerraGelato
Dojo Gelato 137 Elder St., Findlay Market; 1735 Blue Rock St., Northside Authentic Italian-style gelato. Dojo Gelato loves to create unexpected flavor profiles — rose petal, olive oil, bellini, honey lavender, Vietnamese coffee, etc. And they use fresh, seasonal ingredients in their creations. Dojo’s Northside shop serves more than just scoops. The shop always has 10 flavors of gelato on offer, but with bonus milkshakes, a sundae bar and a funky soft-serve menu along with killer draft root beer on tap. Photo: Hailey Bollinger