The Best Dessert Shops in Brooklyn

By Precious Fondren

Life is all about celebrating moments with a little “something sweet.” Made it through a hard day? Obviously it’s time to grab a slice of key lime pie to make it all better. Had a great day? Clearly you have to stop and get apple cider donuts at your local Trader Joe’s to keep the good vibes going. Made it through the whole week only eating healthy food? Time to reward yourself with a sweet little treat.

With Thanksgiving just days away, people will be whipping up an assortment of desserts—sweet potato pie, banana pudding, and pumpkin pie, just to name a few. But that isn’t all Brooklyn has to offer by a long shot. From classic bakeries serving the best slice of cheesecake to trendy spots reimagining pastries with a twist, you can pretty much find anything to satisfy your sweet tooth here.

Below, we’ve rounded just a few of the best dessert shops to check off your list. 

Circo’s Pastry Shop 
Where: 312 Knickerbocker Ave.
Go for: Caramel cake slice or fruit tartlet 

This old-school family-owned Italian bakery, located in Bushwick, has been serving wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and classic pastries in Brooklyn since 1945. If you’re not counting calories whatsoever, then grab the decadent, ooey-gooey chocolate caramel cake slice or the fruit tartlet for a swirl of flavors.

Je T’aime Patisserie 
Where: 471 Marcus Garvey Blvd.
Go for: Fall-time cake slice

The owner of Je T’aime Patisserie told BKMAG just last year that she likes to put a “Black girl spin” on her French inspired pastries, and while I’m not quite sure what that means, it doesn’t matter: The desserts hit every time. From the banana-pudding-stuffed croissants to the fall-time cake slice, each dessert is packed with a rich taste.

Brown Butter Creamery 
Where: 375 Tompkins Ave.
Go for: Raspberry sorbet  

Brown Butter Creamery in Bed-Stuy is the perfect friend-date spot to hit for some gelato that’s made from imported products from Italy. Some of the choices may seem odd at first, but you won’t be disappointed with a half-pint of the peaches and cream and the raspberry sorbet options.

Allan’s Bakery
Where: 1109 Nostrand Ave.
Go for: Caribbean sponge cake slice

This family-owned spot in Brooklyn serves various Caribbean pastries. The Caribbean sponge cake slice is especially mouth watering, with a taste that combines vanilla and pineapple that’s perfect for you’re craving something sweet. A close second is the currant roll—a buttery and flaky pastry filled with spice currants.

Yummy Tummy’s Kitchen
Where: 793 Grand St.
Go for: Strawberry shortcake cupcake  

Tucked away in East Williamsburg, Yummy Tummy’s Kitchen is one of the few TikTok places in Brooklyn that actually deliver on flavor. The custom cupcakes are just as fun to eat as they are to look at. My personal favorites include the Twix cupcake––which somehow manages to be the right amount of sugary—and the strawberry shortcake, which is fluffy.

Patisserie Tomoko. Photo by Precious Fondren

Patisserie Tomoko
Where: 568 Union Ave.
Go for: Green tea crème brûlée 

Located in Williamsburg, Patisserie Tomoko combines Japanese-inspired flavors with French pastries, and they do not disappoint. On weekends, people can sit down at the dessert bar for a three-course rotation of different dishes. But if you just so happen to stop by on a weekday, there are still plenty of options to choose from––including the surprisingly delicious green tea crème brûlée and mixed berry mille crepe.

Four & Twenty Blackbirds. Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Four & Twenty Blackbirds
Where: 439 3rd Ave.
Go for: Salty honey pie slice

With a menu that changes daily, there’s always something new to try at Four & Twenty Blackbirds. The spot is known for its salted caramel apple pie, but honestly, the real MVP is the salty honey slice. Apple pie is a classic, but the salty honey is miles better, with the just right balance of savory and sweet. 

Little Cupcake Bakeshop. Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Little Cupcake Bakeshop 
Where: 598 Vanderbilt Ave. (also at 9102 3rd Ave. and 995 Flushing Ave.)
Go for: Banana pudding 

Little cupcake Bakeshop is known for cupcakes, but truthfully, it should get some kind of award for its perfectly whipped banana pudding. Containing the right amount of cream and sweet cookies, the pudding is helped by not having too many bananas. The raspberry white chocolate cheesecake is also a fun choice. 

Mia’s Brooklyn Bakery 
Where: 139 Smith St.
Go for: Key lime pie slice 

While the ordering experience at Mia’s Brooklyn Bakery can be a chaotic one, it’s all worth it once you do make it through the line. There are dozens of regular cake, cheesecake, and pastry options at Mai’s including the strawberry shortcake, banana cream pie, and oreo cake pop, but my absolute favorite was the classic key lime pie. The key lime wasn’t too sour and the crust will make a lasting impression on your tastebuds. 

Sofia & Grace Cookie Company 
Where: 163 Ralph Ave.
Go for: Purple Velvet cookies

Sofia & Grace Cookie Company is by far my favorite place on this list. The cookie concoctions are so creative, soft, and delicious––and, most importantly, not too sweet. You won’t be disappointed if you order one of the specialty cookies, like the purple velvet, fruity pebbles, and pineapple upside-down s’mores.

Cloudy Donut Co.
Where: 14 Columbia Pl.
Go for: Cookie butter donut

In case you didn’t know: there’s more than just chocolate-glazed and sugar donuts out there? You’ll never want just a basic donut again after trying the cookie butter donut that’s topped with a sugary cookie butter glaze and sprinkled with biscoff cookie crumbs.