Whether it’s your cheat day or you just have a sweet tooth, here are some spots around Tampa Bay to check out this February for some tasty treats!
1. Sorrento Sweets
Location: 716 S Village Circle, Tampa
Get some of La Dolce Vita—The Sweet Life—at this authentic Italian bakery in Hyde Park Village. Enjoy an array of classic desserts like Florentines, Tiramisu, Napoleon and other delicious cookies and cakes, in addition to coffees, gelato and sorbet.
But you can’t stop by without trying the homemade cannolis. The cannoli cream recipe is centuries old, and the bakery even imports some of the filling's ingredients straight from Italy. The cannolis are piped fresh to order and there are three flavors to choose from: original, chocolate and pistachio. Get one in a regular size or try a mini!
There is also a Sorrento Sweets in Sarasota (1473 Main Street), and the original bakery is located in Port Richey (9721 US-19). Check out the full menu here.
2. Dough Nation
Location: 11642 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
Can’t decide if you want ice cream or edible cookie dough? Get them both! Dough Nation in Carrollwood is well known for their cookie dough, made with pasteurized eggs and heat-treated flour to make it edible. Flavors range from sugar cookie to red velvet to toasty smores. Eat it by itself or make a “Sunday Nation”—a sundae with two choices of cookie dough and your favorite ice cream flavor, finished off with three toppings, whipped cream, magic dust and a cherry.
You can also combine cookie dough and ice cream to create a mouth-watering Dough Shake (I recommend mixing red velvet cookie dough and Cookie Monster ice cream—not only does it taste like a deliciously sweet birthday cake, but it also makes an insta-worthy lavender color).
Ice cream sandwiches, cookies and pies also make up Dough Nation’s tasty menu.
And the best part? All proceeds from your purchase go directly to feed the hungry in Tampa Bay through the Metropolitan Ministries’ hunger relief programs.
RELATED | Edible cookie dough shop donates back to Tampa Bay community
3. Mmmm Delicious Cupcakes
Location: 6817 FL-54, New Port Richey
Moist, rich and flavorful cupcakes are just a short drive away in New Port Richey. Mmmm Delicious Cupcakes has a rotating list of more than 50 yummy flavors! 16 cupcake flavors are baked fresh each day. There’s Twix, lemon raspberry and chocolate champagne just to name a few. Follow the account on Facebook to see today’s flavors or make a pre-order to guarantee you get the flavors you’re craving.
And don’t forget to try a Wedding Cake Cakesicle while you’re there, which is made from two almond cake cupcakes crumbled up and bound with white chocolate, dipped in more white chocolate, then topped with decorative sprinkles.
In addition to their own cakey treats, Mmmm Delicious Cupcakes also sells macarons from William Dean Chocolates and cake pops and chocolate covered Oreos from Pop Goes the Party.
You can also find Mmmm Delicious Cupcakes at Dessert Wars on February 9!
4. Farmacy Vegan Kitchen & Bakery
Location: 803 N Tampa Street, Tampa
Located inside Duckweed Urban Grocery in Downtown Tampa, Farmacy Vegan Kitchen & Bakery offers treats that look so good, you would have no idea they’re vegan. This quick service restaurant is 100% plant based. Enjoy donuts, banana breads, cupcakes, cake slices and sticky buns from the bakery.
A definite must-try are the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes. They’re made from chocolate cake and topped with chocolate buttercream with a hint of cayenne pepper, vegan marshmallows and chocolate chips, and drizzled with a cayenne caramel sauce.
Get a look at all their tasty treats and meals on Instagram. You can also visit Farmacy at the other Tampa location at 117 North 12th Street.
5. Smacks Burgers and Shakes
Location: 2407 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
Smacks frozen custard > ice cream. Enjoy sweet sugary goodness in the form of a frozen custard concrete. Make your own or choose from the featured menu. I highly recommend the Cookie, Cookie, Cookie concrete. It’s made with vanilla custard and three forms of cookies—Biscoff cookie spread, cookies'n cream crumbles and cookie dough—all mixed together for a delicious dessert. If that’s not your style, they also offer Siesta Key Lime with chunks of actually pie and Unconditional Surrender that features all things chocolate.
Rounding out Smacks' sweet menu is the custard Flavor of the Day, shakes and delicious floats.
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