MomSkoop
North Carolina might be famous for barbecue and sweet tea, but the state’s dessert scene is absolutely incredible. From artisan chocolate makers to old-fashioned bakeries, talented pastry chefs across the Tar Heel State are creating sweet masterpieces that rival any big city. These restaurants and dessert shops prove that sometimes the best part of dinner is what comes last.
1. Jazzy Cheesecakes
Walking into this Greensboro gem feels like entering a cheesecake wonderland where every slice tells a delicious story. Owner Jazz Williams creates over 40 different flavors throughout the year, from classic New York style to adventurous combinations like lemon blueberry swirl.
Each cheesecake is handcrafted using premium ingredients and family recipes passed down through generations. The texture is impossibly smooth and creamy, while flavors range from traditional vanilla to seasonal specialties like pumpkin spice and peppermint bark.
Regular customers often call ahead to reserve their favorite flavors because these beautiful creations sell out quickly.
2. Two Roosters Ice Cream
Small-batch ice cream made with North Carolina dairy takes center stage at this beloved Asheville creamery. Every flavor starts with a base so rich and creamy that even plain vanilla becomes an extraordinary experience worth savoring slowly.
Seasonal ingredients from local farms inspire creative combinations like lavender honey and sweet potato pie. The churning process happens right in the shop, filling the air with sweet aromas that draw customers from blocks away.
Summer evenings bring long lines of families eager to try unique flavors like goat cheese and fig or brown butter pecan that change with the seasons.
3. C. Winkler Bakery
Since 1800, this historic Old Salem bakery has been perfecting the art of traditional Moravian cookies and sugar cake using recipes that predate the Civil War. Stepping inside feels like traveling back in time to experience authentic colonial baking methods.
Paper-thin Moravian cookies come in flavors like ginger and lemon, while the famous sugar cake features a yeast-based dough topped with brown sugar and cinnamon. Wood-fired ovens still provide the heat for these time-honored treats.
Visitors often watch bakers in period clothing demonstrate techniques that have remained unchanged for over two centuries of continuous operation.
4. Videri Chocolate Factory
Bean-to-bar chocolate making happens right before your eyes at this innovative Raleigh factory where cacao beans transform into artisanal chocolate bars and truffles. The open production floor lets visitors watch every step of the chocolate-making process unfold.
Single-origin chocolates showcase flavors from different regions, while creative combinations include salted caramel and espresso varieties. The tasting room offers samples that help customers discover their preferred cacao percentages and flavor profiles.
Chocolate-making classes teach participants how to temper chocolate and create their own custom bars to take home as edible souvenirs of their visit.
5. Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery
European-style pastries and elaborate cakes make this Raleigh institution a destination for serious dessert lovers who appreciate both beauty and flavor. Display cases showcase towering layer cakes that look like edible works of art.
French-trained pastry chefs create everything from delicate macarons to rich chocolate tortes using techniques learned in professional kitchens across Europe. Wedding cakes here become the centerpiece of celebrations with intricate sugar work and custom designs.
The afternoon tea service includes petit fours and scones that transport diners to a charming European cafe without leaving North Carolina’s capital city.
6. Southern Sugar Bakery
Buttercream roses and fondant decorations turn cupcakes into miniature masterpieces at this Charlotte bakery where Southern charm meets artistic flair. Each cupcake receives individual attention from decorating to packaging.
Classic flavors like red velvet and lemon get elevated with premium ingredients and creative presentations that make them Instagram-worthy. Seasonal offerings include sweet potato in fall and fresh strawberry during summer months.
Custom orders for special occasions often feature elaborate designs that require days of planning and execution. The bakery’s signature item remains their towering rainbow layer cake that brings joy to birthday celebrations across the Charlotte area.
7. Crave Dessert Bar
Late-night dessert cravings find their perfect match at this Durham hotspot that stays open when other dessert shops close for the evening. The atmosphere combines upscale dining with casual comfort for dessert-focused dining experiences.
Plated desserts arrive looking restaurant-quality with artistic presentations that include edible flowers and gold leaf accents. Signature items like warm chocolate lava cake and house-made gelato satisfy both visual and taste expectations.
Wine pairings complement dessert selections, creating an adult dining experience centered entirely around sweet endings. Reservations are recommended for weekend evenings when dessert lovers pack the intimate space.
8. Lucettegrace
Artisanal donuts elevated to gourmet status make this Asheville shop a must-visit destination for travelers and locals seeking unique breakfast treats. Each donut is made fresh daily using brioche-style dough that’s lighter than traditional varieties.
Glazes change seasonally and include unexpected combinations like maple bacon and lavender honey that challenge traditional donut expectations. The shop’s minimalist aesthetic lets the colorful donuts take center stage in clean display cases.
Limited quantities mean popular flavors sell out early, encouraging customers to arrive when doors open. Coffee pairings are carefully selected to complement the complex flavors found in each handcrafted donut variety.
9. Local Lion
Farm-to-table philosophy extends to dessert at this New Bern restaurant where seasonal ingredients from nearby farms inspire creative sweet endings. Dessert menus change frequently based on what’s fresh and available from local producers.
Pastry chefs work directly with farmers to source ingredients like fresh berries, honey, and cream for desserts that taste like concentrated versions of the season. Presentation emphasizes natural beauty with minimal manipulation of ingredients.
Signature desserts often feature North Carolina specialties like muscadine grapes or sweet potatoes prepared in unexpected ways. The restaurant’s commitment to locality means dessert truly reflects the terroir of eastern North Carolina.
10. Appalachian Cookie Company
Mountain-inspired cookies capture the spirit of North Carolina’s highlands in every bite at this Boone bakery where recipes celebrate Appalachian traditions. Cookies arrive warm from ovens that fill the shop with irresistible aromas throughout the day.
Local ingredients like sourwood honey and mountain apples find their way into seasonal varieties that change with the mountain weather. Classic chocolate chip cookies use a secret recipe that creates the perfect balance of chewy centers and crispy edges.
Hiking trail mix cookies provide energy for outdoor adventures, while comfort varieties like snickerdoodles offer warmth during cold mountain evenings spent by the fireplace.
11. Kilwins
Copper kettles and marble slabs create handmade fudge the old-fashioned way at this Wilmington shop where candy-making becomes performance art. Watching fudge being poured and worked on cool marble surfaces mesmerizes customers of all ages.
Over twenty fudge flavors include classics like chocolate walnut alongside creative options like sea salt caramel. Hand-dipped chocolates and caramel apples round out the selection of traditional confections made using time-tested methods.
The sweet aroma of cooking sugar and chocolate draws beachgoers from the nearby boardwalk into this candy wonderland. Free samples encourage customers to try before buying their favorite treats to enjoy during beach vacations.
12. French Broad Chocolate Lounge
Liquid chocolate in drinkable form reaches new heights of indulgence at this Asheville chocolate lounge where hot chocolate becomes a gourmet experience. Single-origin drinking chocolates offer intense flavors that showcase different cacao regions around the world.
Chocolate desserts pair perfectly with house-made drinking chocolates for an immersive chocolate experience that satisfies the most serious cocoa cravings. Vegan and dairy-free options ensure everyone can participate in the chocolate celebration.
The cozy lounge atmosphere encourages lingering over rich drinks and desserts while discussing the nuances of different chocolate origins. Educational tastings help customers develop more sophisticated chocolate palates through guided experiences.