Best of the Best: Sweet Treats to Enjoy
Ice Cream West Chester
14 N. Church St., West Chester
@IceCreamWestChester
After dominating pizza (2021) and cheesesteaks (2023), ice cream was the next food frontier for Speer Madanat, the West Chester foodie phenom. We’ve been waiting far too long for the former Juice Pod space to be transformed (The Inquirer mentioned it in March 2024). Even without any posts, over 2K Instagram followers eagerly awaited news back in mid-December, while on the brink of opening. Word is Speer’s working on recipes and plans for soft-serve and custard, shakes and sundaes. Sneak peek video leaked that jimmies will be available — Speer’s fave topping.
Hangry Bear Creamery
660 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square
610-744-2722 / HangryBearCreamery.com
You can ship your favorite ice cream flavor in a cooler box with dry ice, but it’s better to head for Kennett Square to enjoy Hangry Bear Creamery’s confections in person and on demand. Black raspberry chip, mint cookies and cream, buttered stroopwafel are just a few creative options available by scoop, pint or quart. But what makes us smile are the options to create our own unique, custom flavors onsite in the ice cream-making studio (two-hour session) or craft personalize flavors for birthdays, weddings or special events. Then there’s the subscription service, boozy milkshakes and speakeasy adult flavors. They had us at ice cream.
Federal Donuts & Chicken
232 N. Radnor Chester Rd., Wayne
484-580-2929 / FederalDonuts.com
Another reason not to drive to the city but add a new app to your phone: Fednuts has come to the ’burbs with the first franchise in Radnor in September (more to come). While it may take a beat to understand the connection (think max use of the fryers for 13 years in Philly), once you experience the peak taste of the hand-battered, twice-fried chicken (in tenders, wings, sliders and sandwiches in flavors like the classic, Buffalo kick or South Philly), you’ll know. And no matter if you’re a fan of the Fancies (chocolate cream pie, pear a la mode) or Classics (vanilla bean sprinkle), it’s always donut o’clock!
Good Girls Bakery
565 Wellington Sq., Exton
GoodGirlsBakery.com
The May 2024 leap from farm markets to brick-and-mortar shop in Eagleview Town Center let more fans of Good Girls Bakery discover their signature sourdough bread, English muffins (try the cowboy version with jalapeño and cheddar) and breakfast pastries. Adding all-day breakfast, lunch and beverages, plus High Tea Tuesdays, expanded the offerings with more English muffin choices (from the Hottie to Hummus Heaven), the Woodland Bennie (featuring red pepper pesto and shiitake mushrooms), and the Giving Sandwich (yes, Thanksgiving in your hand). Take home a baguette, sour rye or garden loaf plus brown butter chocolate chip cookies and you’ll be back for more. Still at farmers markets.
Pastry Pants Bakery
10 Park Ave., Swarthmore
610-328-3963 / PastryPants.com
It’s been a journey for baker and former puppeteer Robert Smythe, from working as Village Vine’s pastry chef to baking at Swarthmore College, then in a woodshop in his garden to finally opening a proper shop on Park Avenue last spring. This neighborhood bakery in Swarthmore’s town center offers a broad array of treats, from lemon glazed madeleines to a Bavarian take on the Philly pretzel to puffy Czech kolaches to heirloom tomato focaccia (in season and from locally grown plants, of course). With lines snaking out the door and pies baked in their signature reusable tins, it’s exactly what the town needed.
Sweet Zen Bakery
12 General Warren Blvd., Ste. 800, Malvern
484-202-0345 / SweetZenBakery.com
If your zen is the smell of fresh-baked cinnamon buns, we’ve found a bakery for you in Malvern. But come early before these goodies are gone. From classic sweets to innovative creations — tiramisu cupcakes, pecan praline cheesecakes, salted caramel chocolate chip scones — this sanctuary of sweetness is full of delights. Capitalizing on her 20 years of experience, Amal Kawar bakes everything onsite, including some gluten-free and egg-free choices along with custom orders for sweet celebrations. Carb lovers can indulge in lighter-than-air brioche or rustic sourdough loaves plus ham and cheese focaccia, while we drool-scroll through the Instagram feed.
260 Bridge Café
260 Bridge St., Phoenixville
610-600-6570 / @260BridgeCafe
Partners Creating Community — which works to improve the lives and opportunities of individuals with disabilities — is the force behind the new coffee shop and bakery that opened in March in the former Black Walnut Winery shop in Phoenixville. Blending educational and vocational opportunities with a mission to stay local and sustainable, the café’s menu includes bagels, pastries, campfire cookies, macarons, challah and more. Autumn special coffees went beyond PSL to treats like rosemary maple latte and cafecito con panna. Plus extra treats like flourless chocolate cake and live music! Even Governor Shapiro made a recent visit to show support.