HOW sweet IT IS
It’s a good time to treat yourself
Cannolis, Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, Lemon Cheesecake Donuts, French Macarons.
Treat yourself! The Bucks County Sweet Spots Trail makes it easy. And as a bonus, you get to enjoy the sweet spring weather and visit some picturesque small towns.
Visit Bucks County, the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County, has compiled a list of 40 sweet shops including bakeries, ice cream parlors, cafes and candy stores. Visit 5 places to get a free stuffed deer. Do it before April 30, and you only have to visit 3 places to snag the deer. That doesn’t give you much time, but you don’t really need an incentive to devour death by chocolate ice cream with brownie pieces and fudge at Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream at Shady Brook Farm in Morrisville or scarf down dark chocolate-covered apricots at Naked Chocolate in Newtown, do you?
If you’d like to make a game of it, visit www.visitbuckscounty.com/things-to-do/sweet-spots/sweet-spots-trail/ to check out the sweet list. Click on “Get Your Free Passport” to download the passport to your smartphone. And you’re off. The user-friendly passport enables you to check-in at each eatery using a 4 digit code you get when you arrive. Some places offer discounts too. The fastest way to get your fill is by visiting one of the small towns where you’ll find clusters of sweet shops - Bristol, Doylestown, New Hope, Newtown and at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska. Or, do a little at a time, enjoying the countryside.
The list includes some gluten-free bakeries like Sweetah’s Gluten Free Bake Shop in Doylestown; The Happy Mixer Gluten-Free Bakery in Chalfont and Newtown, Magic Arts Studio and Sweet Treats Too in Morrisville and places that have gluten-free options, including Tabora Farms in Chalfont and Sciascia Confections in New Hope.
It’s hard to think of a sweeter
way to spend these longer, warmer spring evenings.
More sweet spots around the region
BEILER’S DOUGHNUTS >>Donuts from this Amish merchant in Reading Terminal market were named one of America’s 20 best desserts by Fodor’s Travel. Additional locations in University City and Lancaster.
MOO HOPE >> A family-run ice cream parlor that makes small-batch ice cream in the heart of New Hope, including non-dairy options.
BUCKS COUNTY CONFECTIONS>> This cupcake shop in Quakertown offers tempting cupcake flavors such as key lime, as well as apple dumplings and gluten-free cookies, breads and confections.
ECLAT CHOCOLATE >> Chocolatier Christopher Curtin honed his skills at chocolate houses in Belgium, Switzerland, France, Japan and Germany, where he was the first American awarded the honor of German Master Pastry Chef and Chocolatier. In West Chester.
JOHN & KIRA’S >> Makes whimsically-shaped confections such as striped honey caramel bees and polkadotted ladybugs. Available at Bean & Burlap in Newtown, Frosted Fox Bakeshop in Mt. Airy, Di Bruno Bros. in Ardmore and Center City, Vault & Vine in East Falls, Green Aisle Grocery in South Philly, Egan Rittenhouse and the Pennsylvania General Store in Center City, Talula’s Table Market in Kennett Square, Talula’s Daily in Washington Square, Valley Forge Flowers in Wayne, Weaver’s Way Co-op in Chestnut Hill, at local farmer’s markets and online.
MUELLER CHOCOLATE CO. >> A family-owned shop known for its chocolate-covered candies and anatomically correct chocolate body parts including hearts and lungs, which made it into Ripley’s Believe it or Not. In Reading Terminal Market.
PERTUCCI’S >> More than 30 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream at Nor-View Farm in King of Prussia. It’s a real working mini-farm with goats, horses, rabbits, ducks, geese and, usually by mid-summer cows too. There’s another Pertucci’s in Phoenixville with the same great ice cream but no goats.
AURORA GRACE CHOCOLATES >> Artisanal handcrafted chocolate bonbons, macarons, bars, and baked goods. On 5th Street, just north of South Street.
VELVET SKY BAKERY >> This Jenkintown bakery makes everything from scratch cupcakes, wedding cakes, and amazing specialty cakes.
STUTZ >> Where they’ve been making candy the old-fashioned way since 1938. Think chocolate-covered pretzels, peanut brittle, salt water taffy, boxed chocolates and more. With locations in Hatboro and Warrington.
LA MICHOACANA HOMEMADE ICE CREAM >> This ice cream parlor in Kennett Square offers unusual flavors such as avocado, corn, and guava cheese.
The past year has been tough. Indulge!