Honestly, is there any better way to say “I love you” than with a sweet treat? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to show the people in your life how much you care using the universal language of love—dessert!
We asked Green Bay locals online and IRL to give us the lowdown on their favorite treats around the city, and boy, did they deliver! Whether you’re a die-hard chocoholic dreaming about a cookie the size of your face, or someone who just “wants a little bite” (sure, Jan), there’s something here to satisfy your sweet tooth and your sweetheart!
Cakes
Alpha Delights
Alpha Delights in De Pere has been in the bakery biz for quite a while, so it’s safe to say when it comes to cake they know it all. They offer tons of different sizes, flavors, and decorations for every palette. Plus, one local redditor, whoshareswins, shared some wisdom for those of us who tend to procrastinate: “Bonus: they sell mini cakes and cakes from their freezer. You know, in case you left your cake purchasing to the last minute.”
El Manjar Bakery
“Any cake from El Manjar on University Ave. is mind-blowing!” said Green Bay redditor Ok_Theory_666, and there were several other locals who backed up that statement. Try the tres leches cake for a taste of their talent or grab a showstopper custom-decorated cake for birthdays and other celebrations.
Five Thumbs Up
This newbie bakery has only been open since November of last year, but they’re already making a name for themselves around town. The bakery was initially born at The Cannery test kitchen and moved to the Broadway District last fall. Their menu boasts a variety of delicious-looking treats, but the folks we spoke to all said that visitors MUST try the cheesecake. And luckily there are 47 flavors to try. Yes, FOURTY SEVEN. And if you can’t narrow it down, they offer a cheesecake flight. Let the sampling begin!
Honorable Mentions:
A Bravo: Carrot cake
Sammy’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant: Tiramisu
Nothing Bundt Cakes: Gluten-free flavors
Cookies
McKayla Marie Sweets
Mentioned by several locals, McKayla Marie Sweets got lots of love for their gorgeous wedding cakes and cookie flavors (shout out to the butterscotch oatmeal cookie mentioned by Green Bay resident Emilie H.). But the number one treat mentioned was their macarons. These little cookie sandwiches not only taste great, they come in dozens of flavors and colors. Perfect for your next event or as a gift for someone special.
Cranky Pat’s Pizzeria
While pizza places aren’t typically known for their bakery menu, three different Green Bay locals told me that the giant chocolate chip walnut cookie could rival any bakery. Green Bay reditor lulubellauren12 gave this ringing endorsement, “I’m obsessed with Cranky Pats’ chocolate walnut cookies. They’re the size of your face and thick.”
Busy Bee Confections
Need custom cookies? According to locals, Busy Bee Confections is the way to go. Buttercream swirl, peanut butter paradise, fun-funfetti, s’mores, stuffed cookie monster (that’s a cookie stuffed with two more cookies)—the menu is creative, colorful, and has something for everyone. Plus, their custom decorated sugar cookie creations show off some incredible artistry. Basically, if you can imagine it, Busy Bee can make it!
Honorable Mentions:
Lox, Stock ‘N Bagel: Chocolate chip cream cheese cookie
Voyageurs Bakehouse: Espresso rye chocolate chip cookie
Frozen Treats
Sara’s Artisan Gelato
Owner/operator, Sara is a true gelato expert, holding a culinary arts degree and special training from the Carpigiani Gelato University in Italy, which means this gelato is the real deal. If classic gelato flavors like pistachio and stracciatella are your go-to, Sara’s Gelato has you covered. But what really sets this spot apart is its rotating lineup of creative, one-of-a-kind flavors. ”Gelato from Sara’s is the best,” said one local, “You can get it at the grocery store but highly recommend going to an in-person location to sample a few flavors.”
Taste of India
If you’re looking for another way to taste the ice cream flavors of the world, check out Taste of India’s kulfi, a great recommendation from another Green Bay reddit user, TinyCaterpillar3217. Kulfi is a traditional Indian ice cream made with saffron, almond, and nuts. Try Taste of India’s take made with cardamom, pistachios, and almonds.
Zesty’s
It’s not a Green Bay dessert list without custard! Many locals from inside and outside the digital world mentioned Zesty’s as the place for the best custard in the area. As for the best sweet treat on the menu? We got too many answers to list them all! “Zesty’s chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich.” “Cookie Jar scramble with extra cookie dough!” “Fully. Loaded. Banana. Split.” Our pick for Valentine’s Day? You can’t go wrong grabbing a couple of straws and sharing a classic milkshake.
Honorable Mentions
La Princesa Michoacana: Almost 100 flavors of homemade ice cream bars (including queso!)
Brain Freeze Ice Cream Shoppe: Scotcheroo ice cream
Other Treats
Kringle: Uncle Mike’s
Were you worried we weren’t going to include Uncle Mike’s on this list? Of course we wouldn’t forget the King of Kringle! Really, Uncle Mike’s was mentioned by locals for a variety of their sweet treats (notably their giant cookies), but we thought it was only right for them to have a spot in the “other” category for what they’re most famous for—kringle! With over 45 awards to their name, it’s hard to deny their kringle supremacy. Among those surveyed, the caramel pecan kringle and the Red, White, and Blue seasonal kringle were the favorites.
Cinnamon Rolls: Voyageurs Bakehouse
Voyageurs has made a name for themselves with their amazing sourdough bread creations, but their pastries are just as next-level as the loaves! “It’s THE best cinnamon roll in Green Bay,” said one local. Grab a box of these delicious brioche buns or their take-and-bake option to enjoy fresh at home.
Pie: OJ’s Bakery
Homemade and family-owned since 1977, OJ’s Bakery in Gillett is known for their award-winning, made-from-scratch pies. “The best pies and cakes I've ever had!” said redditor spr1958. So if you’re craving pie, just hop in the car and take a little pie road trip up to Gillett. Or if you’re willing to wait for a slice of perfection, “...they're at the Broadway Farmer's Market in the summer too.”
Bars: Kavarna
“I haven’t found a better cowgirl bar anywhere in Green Bay,” said one local about Kavarna’s delicious layered cookie bars. Coconut, milky chocolate, white chocolate chips, and butterscotch—need we say more?
Baklava: Istanbul Fish and Seafood
If you’re looking for a little taste of the Balkans, “Istanbul Fish and Seafood restaurant has the best baklava I've ever had!” according to Green Bay redditor anonymousanomoly83. All of their baklava is handmade using traditional recipes and flavors, like walnut and pistachio, so you’ll get that perfect, flaky, syrupy, melt-in-your-mouth finish every time.
Candy: Seroogy’s & Beerntsen’s
We got pretty even amounts of votes for both of Green Bay OG’s of candy, Seroogy’s and Beerntsen’s so you’ll just have to try each of them! Seroogy’s have been making confections since 1899 and Beerntsen’s opened their doors in Green Bay in 1925 so it’s safe to say both shops know exactly how to make a great piece of chocolate (among other things). The top Seroogy’s treat mentioned by locals were Mint Meltaway bars and fudge and the top treats for Beerntsen’s were the chocolate covered Oreo’s (a kid favorite) and the truffles (which you can get presented in a chocolate stiletto heel if you want a little flair in your chocolate experience).
