1. Blooming Lotus Bakery
2215 E. NORTH AVE., 3948 N. MARYLAND AVE. | $2.25-$7
Blooming Lotus Bakery’s raison d’être is to craft gluten-free baked goods that are tender, rich, flavorful and satisfying. That used to be a rarity. But Blooming Lotus has cracked the code on texture, often the bane of gluten-free sweets (chewy cookies; cakes that are light and tender, not heavy and tough). And this bakery has an audience – so much so that it opened a second location in Shorewood to complement its original East Side spot. Try the whoopie pies (rotating flavors), cupcakes and specialty bars like tiramisu.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
2. Sugar Cube
$3-$4
Sugar Cube’s doughnuts are hip to be square. With four corners and a square “hole” in the middle, these vegan, yeast-raised pastries have been available on certain days of the week at On the Bus in the Milwaukee Public Market and at in cafes such as the Third Ward’s Likewise Coffee. The tender, yeasty marvels with a sweet, come-hither aroma sell out quickly and are currently available only for pre-order. Flavors change often and range from simple, sensational glazed to Nutella, with a chocolate hazelnut glaze and crushed hazelnuts.
3. Burke’s Candy & Ingredients
3840 N. FRATNEY ST. | $8-$26
Burke’s Candy & Ingredients is a 93-year-old, family-run legend. All of their confections are made in the factory/shop on North Fratney Street in Riverwest. Burke’s is especially known for divine butter toffee and buttery chocolate-dipped caramels, but the mint meltaways and Flying Ts (aka turtles) are also outstanding. Put together a box of these treasures for your sweetie.
