Left room for dessert?
While you cannot go wrong with a standard ice cream cone, the Lehigh Valley is the perfect place to explore unique four-course cravings, from one-of-a-kind flavor combinations to extravagant presentations and more.
Here is a roundup of some of the imaginative, trendy and downright delicious dessert offerings you can enjoy close to home.
Local delicacies
The Buttered Crumb Bakery & Café, 6937 PA-309, New Tripoli
Embrace the area’s rich Pennsylvania Dutch history at The Buttered Crumb, serving up old-school desserts like apple dumplings, raised cakes and shoofly pies.
The bakery uses locally sourced ingredients from suppliers across the Lehigh Valley, ensuring a homegrown taste.
Best seller: Scones
Hours: 6 a.m. to noon Wednesday to Thursday; 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday; Closed Sunday through Tuesday
Contact: 610-298-1105, butteredcrumb@gmail.com
Over-the-top doughnuts
Donerds Donuts, 3 E. 4th St., Bethlehem
Bacon on a donut? Don’t knock it before you try it.
With options like bacon maple and cannoli (perfectly overstuffed with filling), it’s easy to nerd out over Donerds Donuts’ creative, fluffy and mouthwatering creations.
Best seller: Donut ice cream sandwich
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Contact: 484-655-2885, donerdsdonutsbethlehem@gmail.com
Trendy treats
Fox Bakery, 125 N. 3rd St., Easton
Dying to try Dubai chocolate? Realizing a trip to France for viral fruit-shaped pastries is out of your budget? Look no further than Fox Bakery, which is on the pulse of the trendiest desserts taking over your For You Page. Additionally, the bakery offers a wide selection of macarons, mousse cakes and more European treats.
While visiting Easton, you can also indulge in another of the nearly dozen establishments making up the city’s growing bakery scene.
Best seller: Supreme croissant rolls
Hours: Check @fox.bakery.pa on Instagram for updated hours
Contact: fox.bakery.pa@gmail.com
Extravagant scoops
The Inside Scoop, 301 N. 3rd St., Coopersburg
Here’s the inside scoop on The Inside Scoop: Come for the 20-foot ice cream scooper statue, stay for 30+ rotating flavors of homemade ice cream and Italian ice. With milkshakes, sundaes and the Atomic Freeze — The Inside Scoop’s version of a Dairy Queen Blizzard, served inside a waffle bowl — there are endless ways to enjoy.
Up for a challenge? Try conquering the parlor’s 14-scoop, eight topping, monstrous seven-pound ice cream volcano and earn a spot on the Wall of “Flame.”
Best seller: Extra creamy thick milkshakes
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Contact: 610-282-1955, info@theinsidescoop.com
Late-night munchies
Insomnia Cookies, 606 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem
Insomnia Cookies — a popular Pennsylvania-based chain with over 350 bakeries — has finally touched down in the Lehigh Valley.
Specializing in late-night cravings, these warm treats are the sweetest way to cap an evening out on the town. With gluten-free and vegan options available, there is a cookie for everyone.
Don’t let the name mislead you: Insomnia Cookies has you covered with ice cream pints and brownies, too.
Best seller: Chocolate chunk cookies
Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday and Friday; Noon to 3 a.m. Saturday; Noon to 1 a.m. Sunday
Contact: 610-546-0801
Delicious decadence
Let Them Eat Cake, 112 S. Main St., Nazareth
This perfectly pink French Regency-styled bakery offers high tea events fit for the Valley’s most regal residents. Indulge in classic afternoon tea drinks, finger food and sweets — with monthly themes based on fairytales and holidays — in their intimate six-table space. For younger nobles in your party, Let Them Eat Cake has a special (cheaper) children’s menu.
They also offer French-inspired pastries, including macarons, tarts and cakes with rotating flavors.
Best seller: Macarons
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Closed Monday and Tuesday
Contact: 610-216-9516, eatcakepa@gmail.com
Chocolate with a twist
Truffle Bar, 5831 W. Tilghman St., Allentown
The chocolatier behind this Allentown standout is whipping up rich truffles with unique flavors, including key lime pie and orange creamsicle. You do not need to leave home to get your ganache fix: Truffle Bar ships nationwide.
The chocolatey goodness is not limited to truffles. Visit their storefront for chocolate-covered Oreos, cake pucks, dipped pretzels and Dubai chocolate.
Best seller: Dark salted caramel truffles
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; Closed Monday and Tuesday
Contact: 610-291-8283, truffles@trufflebar.store
Isabella Gaglione is a freelance writer.
Lehigh Valley Insider’s Guide is an occasional series on places to go and things to do and see. Have an idea for a topic or a place that we missed? Email us at goguide@mcall.com.
