Everyone knows about Laudree, Bouchon, Magnolia's, and Dominique Ansel. If you don't, educate yo'self.
As much as we're fans, these confectionary, giants have taken over the NYC tourism scene, and simply aren't worth the ridiculous amount of money required to eat there on the reg.
This city has been blessed with culinary talent, so there are heaps of underrated options for us to sink our teeth into.
Since you no longer have to worry about keeping up that bikini body, its time to indulge in your sweet tooth sans guilt. Or, at least thats what we're telling ourselves.
These bakeries have remained under the radar, but we're here to show you the light.
1. Levain Bakery (various NYC locations)
empirestateof_food My trap queen 🍪 // #bakery #cookies #chocolate #levainbakery #chocolatechip #warm #soft #delicious #foodie #nycfoodie #foodstagram #brunch #foodporn #foodgasm #yum #nomnom #goodeats #eatingfortheinsta #newforkcity #nyceeeeeats #healthy #delicious #sweet #snack #instagood #instayum #instafood #cityfoodie #dessert #nycfood #yummy
If you haven't been here yet, we suggest you get on over to one of their three locations and grab yourself one of their chocolate chip cookies that beat Bobby Flay on Food Network's Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
Not only are their cookies better than Bobby's (sorry Bobby... we're huge fans), the rest of their baked goods are winners in themselves.
We recommend trying their cookies, the sour cream coffee cake, and walnut sticky bun.
[anad]
All of their products are made fresh daily. Whatever is leftover at the end of their day is given to those in need.
If you can't make it to one of their storefronts, you can order some of their products (including their cookies) online.
2. Two Little Red Hens (1652 2nd Avenue)
It boggles our minds how these little birdies can pack so much flavor into their pastries.
Their small storefront displays their seasonally flavored pastries and cakes. Lucky for us, their Brooklyn Blackout cupcake is a fixture at the bakery.
Unless you're allergic to chocolate (in which case, we're so friggin sorry for your loss), you have no reason NOT to eat this cupcake. Get your booty over to Two Little Red Hens and grab at least two.
If you're not feeling chocolate (in which case, what are you?!?), stuff your face with the key lime or pecan pies.
3. City Cakes (251 West 18th Street)
jesssmartinez Feeling blue, so I decided to venture out to look for this half pound cookie I'd heard about and now it's my dinner. No one tell my mother. She wouldn't approve.
Consider yourself a cookie monster? Hit up City Cakes.
Just imagine holding a half pound of crispy, gooey, buttery decadence in the palm of your hand. But, only if in your imagination the palm of your hand is the size of OBJ or Michael Jordan...otherwise these massive cookies will dwarf your puny palms.
Of course, they offer some pretty sick cakes, as their name suggests. If you're looking for a celebration cake that looks and tastes like heaven, check out the pieces of art provided by City Cakes.
4. Silver Moon Bakery (2740 Broadway)
silvermoonbakery This is our special sour cherry tart for the Passover holiday. People have begun ordering already, although the holiday starts in over two weeks.
If you're a glutton for artisan breads and sweet treats, this place takes the cake (pun intended).
Their artisanal breads and pastries change to incorporate the seasonal flavors. Their cakes seem too pretty to cut into, but to delicious not to.
[anad2]
Silver Moon Bakery's real claim to fame is their 12 pound presentation challah that can be shared by 100 guests. To that, we say hollahhhh, and seriously share some with us.
We'd go just for the pretzels or brioche treats. But when you add in the fact that they use a daily-fed preferment to make their sourdough breads? We're bread nerds, and we're hooked.
5. Sullivan Street Bakery (533 West 47th Street)
carobaker1 Donut worry, be happy 😃 #caros_eats #donut #jelly #bomboloni #doughnut #breakfast #dessertporn #sullivanstreetbakery #sweettooth #eeeeeats #nomnom #nycfat #nyceats #eatingfortheinsta #f52grams
Bomboloni.
What on earth is that, you ask? Well home-skillet, you need to get yourself down to Hell's Kitchen ASAP to gorge yourself on these little Italian beauts. Think filled doughnut on flavor-roids (thats flavor on steroids).
Looking for something a bit more savory? Sullivan Street Bakery also offers some pretty exceptional pizzas. A bakery that makes pizza, pastries, and bread? That's a win in our books.
,6. Sweet Revenge (62 Carmine Street)
Your date says, "Let's go for some wine and cupcakes." You instantly drop to one knee, realizing you've found your soulmate. We say, we've got the place for you.
Their real draw is their wine and cupcake pairing. This is the perfect date night activity to impress your significant other. If they're not impressed, dump them and take us.
[anad]
Not feeling the vino? They also offer a selection of beers to enjoy alongside your baked treats.
If your date still isn't feeling it, they also offer a great selection of unique savory breakfast, lunch, or small plate options. Odds are, your date will be happy as pie by the end of the date.
7. Dough Doughnuts (various NYC locations)
donutscookiesandcream Stackin' donuts. 🍩Hibiscus da Rosa 🍩Lemon poppy seed 🍩Coconut 🍩Dulce de Leche 📷@ibitefood 🏢@doughdoughnuts #DonutsCookiesAndCream #🍩🍪🍦 👇TAG a Friend!👇
We love doughnuts here at spoiled. Our office is right above a Dunkin' Donuts, so needless to say, we typically have goodies on our table that get devoured by midmorning.
However, those doughnuts don't even hold a candle to Dough Doughnuts. Dunkin' is is to Dough's like Keystone is to Brooklyn Brewery. They aren't even in the same league.
Dough's doughnuts are probably the sexiest circles we've ever seen. If you've got goosebumps just thinking about them, we do too. We're actually having a seriously hard time concentrating just thinking about Dough.
Their eccentric flavors, like hibiscus or chocolate salted caramel, set it apart, but their absolutely perfect doughnuts keeps us wanting more.
8. Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery (126 Rivington Street)
gazelleaparis Comme si j'avais besoin de 10 raisons pour manger un cupcake @sssbakery #cupcakes #lowereastside #bakery #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #UneGazelleaNewYork
If you're a fan of snack pack pudding cups but want to pretend you're an adult, you need to introduce yourself to Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery. They're the grown up version to your lunchbox favorites.
[anad2]
Their puddings, including banana puddin' and sexy red velvet puddin', are easy go-to's.
If pudding wasn't your thing, they also have a pretty dope arrangement of cupcakes and cakes. If you're in the LES, stop in at this bangin' bakery.
9. Arcade Bakery (220 Church Street)
ayakombooo Love this idea 🍞🍞🍞🍕🍩🍪 Arcade Bakery in TriBeCa #arcadebakery #isa #bread #bakery #tribeca #earlybird
You may have walked by this unassuming office building without realizing that a hidden gem lay right inside. If you happen to work in that office building, we're seething with jealousy.
Arcade's freshly baked goodies and breads make it a must visit on this list. Their almond croissant assorted babkas are great for those with a sweet tooth.
Looking for something savory? Their pizzas can be ordered in advance online. If pizza isn't tickling your tastebuds, they also serve sandwiches on their freshly made breads.
Make sure to take a loaf to enjoy at home... if it even makes it that far, and if it does, we commend your self-control.
Check out 6 Decadent Dessert Sandwiches That’ll Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth Cravings in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy: Instagram]