Dominique Weaver
From Alcohol-Infused Cupcakes To Texas-Sized Cookies, These Black-Owned Dallas Bakeries Have Something For Everyone’s Sweet Tooth.
Now more than ever, it is imperative to support Black-owned businesses, especially given a number of them are donating a percent of their proceeds to Black Lives Matter funds. Even so, supporting supporting the Black community in any form is a meaningful contribution.
Larger businesses and chains cannot compete with the intimate, welcoming atmosphere found in many locally-owned businesses. These are the places that recognize your face and remember your favorite orders.
Dallas is sustained on the many small businesses all over the city and surrounding areas, and this being Texas means a strong emphasis on good ol’ southern influences in cooking — that includes our penchant for desserts.
There are several great Black-owned bakeries in North Texas, ones that often don’t get talked about as much as restaurants in the food scene. But hey, we all have a sweet tooth every now and then, right? At least one of these below spots is guaranteed to satisfy yours.
Cake Bar
The Cake Bar is a sweet little spot located in Trinity Groves serving up moist cake, a selection of cookies, ice cream and coffee. Owner Tracy German has been offering a “large selection of traditional, southern style made from scratch cake and confections” for almost 14 years now. Due to the pandemic, the Cake Bar is only open for delivery at the moment.
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Chocolate Secrets
Chocolate Secrets is a small cafe located in Oak Lawn with over 20 types of bonbons to pick from and an assortment of 15 different truffles. There’s also a wide array of macaroons, cakes and pies along with ice cream and sorbet. Not craving something sweet? Also offered are a full menu of savory eats, including paninis and cheese boards. Pre-Covid, the quaint spot also held live entertainment in the form of jazz music and open mic nights. Chocolate Secrets is best described as a “gourmet chocolate and fine wine experience.” For now, it is only open for delivery.
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Kookie Haven
Kookie Haven is a small rustic space nestled on Jefferson Boulevard. It offers up a list of different types of cookies and a wide selection of cakes to pick from — the strawberry cake is a crowd favorite. There are also a few vegan options available in both cookies and cakes, if that’s your thing. The business was started by three sisters and all their recipes have been passed down from their mother who had been known as Ms. Kookie, hence the name Kookie Haven. As of now, the shop is open for takeout and no-contact delivery.
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Kessler Baking Studio
Kessler Baking Studio is a bakery located in Bishop Arts that serves up an array of treats from cookies and cinnamon rolls to imported Mexican vanilla. The baking studio has also seen some virality lately with the sharing of its Texas Pecan Shortbread Cookie floating around Instagram. Owner Clyde Greenhouse describes his bakery as “a happy & creative sweets boutique.” Kessler Baking Studio is currently open for pickup and delivery.
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The Jar Bar
The Jar Bar is a pop-up that can be found all over DFW, including the Farmer’s Market in Las Colinas. Desserts like banana pudding and strawberry shortcake are all packaged in cute little glass jars, making them a perfect choice for a sweet snack on the go. For delivery menus and pop-up scheduled dates, visit their website.
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Val’s Cheesecakes
Val’s Cheesecakes has three locations throughout North Texas, though the Fort Worth shop is closed at the moment. Val’s other locations, the Shack and the Shop, are located on Maple Avenue and Greenville Avenue, respectively. The Shop is hard to miss on Lower Greenville with its blue and white walls covered in a vibrant floral mural. Val’s offers a wide selection of cheesecake to choose from with fifteen different options. Owner Valery Jean-Bart’s business was born from the inspiration of his mother, who was diagnosed with cancer and has since passed.. Both locations that remain open are available for takeout and delivery.
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Funnel Cake Paradise
Missing the deep fried food of the Texas State Fair? Funnel Cake Paradise will ease that craving. There are about twenty toppings to choose from, along with speciality funnel cakes such as a pizza funnel cake. And of course, Funnel Cake Paradise serves other fair favorites like fried oreos, fried cheesecake and corn dogs. As of now dine-in is closed, but takeout and delivery are still offered.
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Cinnaholic
Cinnaholic is a franchise bakery that specializes in cinnamon rolls. The Black-owned Fort Worth location also offers several edible cookie dough options, all of which are vegan. You can also make your own cinnamon roll if you aren’t feeling their assortment of speciality flavors. Cinnaholic is open for takeout and delivery.
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The Cookie Society
Cookie Society is located in Frisco with about 14 different types of cookies to pick from. Among the menu are classics like chocolate chip and not-so-classic flavors like milk and cereal cookies topped with Lucky Charms. An added bonus, is that the shop ships out of state, too. As of now it is open for in-store shopping and delivery.
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Dough Boy Donuts
Dough Boy Donuts out Fort Worth offers a great selection of speciality donuts like the Bam Bam topped with Fruity Pebbles and the Sriracha Maple Bacon that has a large, sriracha-candied bacon topping. Beyond donuts, this spot offers a small selection of breakfast options along with coffee and orange juice. Dough Boy Donuts is only open for takeout at the moment.
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The Tipsy Cupcake
This one is not for the kids. With alcohol-infused cupcakes, adults are in for a real treat with signature cocktail cupcakes — all of the desserts are infused with top shelf liquor. Aside from cupcakes the Tipsy Cupcake offers gummy bears, popcorn and lollipops and cakes. Due to the pandemic they are only open for takeout.
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Cover photo via Kessler Baking Studio’s Facebook.