10 Hidden Dessert Spots in Vermont Locals Swear By

Vermont isn’t just famous for maple syrup and fall foliage.

Hidden throughout the Green Mountain State are cozy bakeries, charming cafés, and sweet shops that locals have cherished for years.

These aren’t the touristy spots you’ll find plastered all over Instagram; they’re the real deal, where recipes have been perfected over generations and every bite feels like a warm hug on a cold winter day.

1. Poorhouse Pies

Tucked away in rural Underhill near Mt. Mansfield, this modest bakery operates out of a building that perfectly captures Vermont’s unpretentious charm. The moment you pull up, the heavenly scent of fresh-baked pies practically pulls you through the door.

Locals drive for miles just to snag one of their famous fruit pies, made with recipes passed down through generations. Every slice tastes like it came straight from grandma’s oven, with buttery crusts that shatter perfectly under your fork.

Finding this place feels like discovering buried treasure; totally worth the journey.

2. Haymaker Bun Co.

Nestled on a cozy side street called Bakery Lane next to Otter Creek, this spot genuinely feels like a delicious secret waiting to be uncovered. Their signature sticky buns have achieved legendary status among Middlebury residents who guard this gem fiercely.

Each bun emerges from the oven glistening with caramelized sugar and pecans, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and richness. The texture hits that magical spot between fluffy and dense, making every bite absolutely irresistible.

Come early on weekends because these beauties sell out fast, leaving disappointed latecomers dreaming about tomorrow’s batch.

3. Slayton Pasture Cabin

Here’s something truly special; an actual cabin nestled in the woods at Trapp Family Lodge that serves as a cross-country ski warming hut. After gliding through snowy trails, skiers stumble upon this beautiful refuge offering incredibly rich hot cocoa and simple treats like homemade cookies.

The setting alone makes everything taste better, with wooden beams overhead and frost-covered windows framing pristine mountain views. Steam rises from mugs while tired skiers warm their hands and swap stories about the trails.

It’s not fancy, but that’s exactly the point; pure, simple comfort in the most magical location imaginable.

4. Jones’ Donuts & Bakery

Walk into this unassuming Rutland institution and you’ll immediately understand why generations of Vermonters consider it sacred ground. The maple glaze recipe has been perfected over decades, creating a coating so good it should probably be trademarked.

Regulars describe the aroma as smelling like “grandmother’s embrace”; that perfect combination of sugar, warmth, and unconditional love. Each donut emerges pillowy-soft with just enough sweetness to make your morning infinitely better.

The owners know most customers by name, remembering their usual orders before they even reach the counter. That personal touch transforms a simple bakery visit into something approaching a family reunion.

5. The Wayside Restaurant & Bakery

Operating continuously since 1918, this Montpelier classic represents everything wonderful about traditional Yankee cooking. While it functions as a full restaurant, the in-house bakery steals the spotlight with fruit pies, cream pies, and fresh-baked goods that transport you straight to simpler times.

The meringue tops their cream pies tower impossibly high, golden-tipped and cloud-light. Fruit fillings burst with actual fruit flavor instead of artificial sweetness, reminding you what real pie should taste like.

Generations of Vermont families have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and ordinary Tuesdays here, creating layers of memories as rich as the desserts themselves.

6. Amy’s Bakery Arts Café

Brattleboro locals treasure this café for capturing the essence of a beloved old kitchen where everything emerges handcrafted with genuine care. On snowy days, regulars settle into worn chairs with specialty lattes and handmade cake slices, watching flakes drift past frosted windows.

The bakers treat each creation like edible art, decorating cakes with delicate touches that make them almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. The flavors prove even more impressive than the appearances, with combinations that surprise and delight in equal measure.

It’s the kind of place where time slows down, conversations deepen, and dessert becomes a legitimate reason to celebrate ordinary moments.

7. Daily Chocolate

This small-batch chocolatier in Vergennes focuses exclusively on handcrafted, high-quality dark chocolate treats that chocolate lovers dream about. Each piece receives meticulous attention, resulting in confections that rival anything you’d find in fancy European shops.

The rich, complex flavors reveal themselves slowly as the chocolate melts, showcasing the skill behind every truffle and bonbon. Locals appreciate the specialized, “secret find” appeal; this isn’t mass-produced candy, but carefully crafted edible luxury.

Owner-operated with obvious passion, the shop educates customers about cacao origins and flavor profiles, transforming casual shoppers into chocolate enthusiasts who understand quality when they taste it.

8. Mirabelles Bakery

Famous throughout South Burlington for their show-stopping Crème Brûlée Cake, Mirabelles has earned its reputation through unwavering commitment to scratch-made recipes and traditional techniques. Despite operating in a larger town, the bakery maintains a warm, local-heart approach that bigger chains can’t replicate.

That signature cake features layers of vanilla cake, pastry cream, and a caramelized sugar top that cracks satisfyingly under your spoon. Classic pastries showcase French techniques executed with Vermont ingredients, creating perfect marriage of sophistication and regional pride.

Regular customers develop fierce loyalty, often ordering celebration cakes months in advance to guarantee availability for important occasions.

9. Lu•lu Ice Cream

Located in Vergennes, this small-batch ice cream shop takes its “farm-to-spoon” mission seriously, sourcing cream from a nearby dairy and seasonal ingredients from local farms. It’s a local favorite, known for unique and ever-changing flavors like basil and curried peanut butter that are surprisingly delicious and not overly sweet.

Each scoop is handcrafted from scratch, with rich and smooth textures that showcase the quality of the ingredients.

10. Birchgrove Baking

Walk into this cozy Montpelier bakery, and the smell of fresh croissants and custom cakes tells you you’ve found a local treasure.

Birchgrove is a must-visit for its high-quality, handmade pastries, with the almond and chocolate croissants consistently selling out fast.

The menu changes daily, featuring items made with local Vermont products whenever possible. Despite limited indoor seating, many patrons enjoy their coffee and treats on the quiet back deck overlooking a waterfall, a perfect little escape in the capital city.