Sweet! Treats!

Aah, dessert! That little slice of heaven after a meal…or before, if you’re impatient…or anytime, if you’re feeling indulgent.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll want to try these local favorites that have got the goods, baked or otherwise, that’ll keep you coming back for more.

Tia Maria Panaderia y Pasteleria

For a morning fix, bypass the glazed or frosted treats and start off with a milder sweet from Tia Maria. This bright and airy bakeshop with colorful décor bakes up a variety of specialty cakes, cookies, and more, but the pink, brown, or yellow seashell-shaped concha is the must-have. They’re so light and fluffy, they’re guilt-free...nearly.

Tia Maria Panaderia y Pasteleria | 44 Sebastopol Ave, Santa Rosa| 707-540-9864 | tiamaria.world

Sift Dessert Bar

Owner and baker Andrea Ballus won the Cooking Channel’s “Cupcake Wars” competition, and it’s easy to see why. While the menu lists a variety of French macarons, cruffles, whoopie cookies, and cakes, sometimes it’s the humble—but amazing—cupcake that hits the spot. The perfect size to sate that sweet tooth craving, Sift has mastered everything from the modest chocolate cupcake to more exotic flavors like grasshopper, snickerdoodle, and pink champagne, as well as offering vegan and gluten-free varieties.

Sift Dessert Bar | 404 Mendocino Ave A, Santa Rosa | 707-703-4228 | siftdessertbar.com

Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar

There’s so much more to Noble Folk than just ice cream and pie—like cookies and cookie sandwiches, cupcakes, and French macarons—but really, it’s the pie and ice cream we’re after. Whether it’s a fruit-forward slice like strawberry blueberry crumble or a richer flavor like maple chocolate walnut pie, going a la mode is a must with a scoop of their house-made ice cream, crafted in flavors you won’t find anywhere else.

Noble Folk Ice Cream & Pie Bar | 539 Fourth St, Santa Rosa | 707-978-3392 | thenoblefolk.com

Nimble & Finn's Handmade Ice Cream

Utilizing local produce and organic dairy, sisters Leandra and Jazmin craft inspired takes on classic ice cream flavors with add-ins and toppings that change seasonally. For that extra bit of decadence, try one of their creative ice cream cocktail concoctions like the Black Velvet—a whiskey butterscotch & chocolate ice cream blended with Moonlight Brewing’s Death & Taxes and topped with toasted marshmallow fluff.

Nimble & Finn's Handmade Ice Cream | 123 Fourth St, Santa Rosa | 707-666-9590 | nimbleandfinns.com

Kona Ice

Speaking of cold and delicious, Kona Ice will bring the sweet refreshment of shaved ice directly to your company picnic, school fundraiser, or whatever event you may be attending around the community. Don’t call it an ice cream truck—this brightly colored mobile refreshment stand serves up the tastiest shaved ice this side of the Pacific Ocean. Plus, you get to flavor your own—keep it simple with a single flavor or mix and match to create crazy combinations!

Kona Ice | 707-595-0827 | kona-ice.com/find-a-kona

Trader Jim's

From one island treat to another, this cute vintage trailer also brings the sweetness to your party or nearby farmers’ market. A cool, refreshing treat, Trader Jim’s pineapple “Dole Whip” soft serve and whipped floats will seem awfully familiar if you’ve been to the Enchanted Tiki Room at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Trader Jim’s | 707-681-1995 | traderjimsfloats.com

Nothing Bundt Cakes

The vintage hole-in-the-middle cake of our moms’ (or grandmas’) era is making a comeback. Local owners Jan and Waverly are a mother and daughter team behind the new Santa Rosa location where cakes are baked fresh each day. From bite-sized bundtinis and miniature bundtlets to sharable standard sizes and tiered towers, these delicious treats are sure to make your day a little bit sweeter.

Nothing Bundt Cakes | 266 Coddingtown Shopping Center, Santa Rosa | 707-708-4800 | nothingbundtcakes.com

Crumbl Cookies

Who can resist the warm, just out of the oven, gooey goodness that is a cookie? Made fresh daily and baked in an open kitchen for all cookie-lovers to see up close, Crumbl has a weekly rotating menu with 120+ specialty cookies while their signature chocolate chip and chilled pink sugar cookies are always available. These are oversized delights, so you may want to invite a friend to share!

Crumbl Cookies | 2154 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa | 707-324-1781 | crumblcookies.com/santarosa

This article originally appeared in the 2022 edition of the Santa Rosa Metro Magazine.