It’s February, the month of love, and my love language is CARBS! If you’ve ever wanted to know where you can find the best baked goods, but didn’t know if you could handle the sugar rush associated with some; have no fear, I volunteer as tribute. The sweet tooth is strong within me. A self-proclaimed bakery snob, I set out to find the top 10 bakeries of Kansas City. Let me tell you, my taste buds were not disappointed. In no particular order:
Simply Frosted
Blue Springs, MO
Highlight: ALL THE CUPCAKES!
Cupcakes are my jam, and in my opinion, this place is the best. The cakes are fluffy, the flavors are on point, and the customer service unmatched. The Boston Cream and What’s Up Doc? (carrot cake) are my favorite flavors. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is their most popular. There are also gluten free options, cookies and occasionally some macarons. I like checking out their Facebook page for specials like Happy Hour deals and discounted dozens! Fun fact, they have a “Cupcake Cruiser” van available for parties, weddings, and other special events.
Banksia Bakehouse
Kansas City, MO (Downtown)
Highlights: Avocado Toast & Australian pastries
It is an Australian bakehouse and cafe. I’m OBSESSED with their Avocado Toast. Their avo toast is on their pain levain bread (French-style sourdough), lightly smeared with white miso (my favorite part because of the touch of saltiness), stacked with arugula, avocado, Szechuan pepper, ponzu-roasted black sesame seeds, pan roasted cherry tomatoes, and topped with a fried egg. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard. It is $12, but I don’t even care. Thank goodness I don’t have a downtown pied-à-terre across the street, because I would be there every morning just begging them to take all my money. They also serve lunch and dinner, have amazing tarts, offer catering and have an event space. P.S. Breakfast is served all day. God bless the Aussies!
Heirloom Bakery & Hearth
Kansas City, MO
Highlight: homemade pop-tarts
I love that they support local. As much as possible, they try to source their ingredients from area farmers. They have the most original, unique flavors of scones and biscuits. Honey lavender, cheddar chive, pear and chocolate. Mmmm. My absolute favorite thing there are the salted rosemary shortbread cookies. It is a generous size and the perfect balance of sweet and salty. What many people know them for are their homemade pop-tarts, also in creative flavor pairings. Another one of my son’s favorite! This place also wins in the “Most Beautiful Bakery” category.
McLain’s Bakery
Kansas City, MO (Waldo)
Highlights: croissants, and peanut butter balls
They’ve been serving KC for over 70 years, and this is their original location. They serve Thou Mayest coffee, Shatto Milk, fresh artisan breads, and have famous chocolate cup cookies. But my heart lies with their Peanut Butter Balls. Peanut butter, chocolate, and a satisfying crunch inside! The Waldo location has the prettiest mural outside, making for the perfect photo opp with kids. They expanded to add two McLain Market locations in Lawrence and Overland Park that also sell some local makers’ goods in a retail section. Tip: The OP location has a drive-thru! You know…because, kids.
Tours les Jours
Overland Park, KS
Highlights: breads, cakes & French macarons
Although this is a chain, it’s too good not to mention. The bakery is French-Korean inspired with a classy, elegant feel. They have beautiful breads topped with exotic fruits or filled with flavorful creams, Korean drink refreshments, amazing occasion cakes and the yummiest Earl Grey macarons. My son is obsessed with the croissant topped with fresh cream and strawberries.
Best Regards Bakery & Cafe
Overland Park, KS
Highlights: salads and grilled cheese
They boast the title of “The Best Cookie” in the state of Kansas with their cranberry orange cookie. Their heirloom tomatoes and Berkshire bacon make for an amazing BLT that IS worth writing home about. It is also why they make some mean salads. (The Chop Salad is my favorite.) Other yummy things to note: Venny’s Gooey Butter cake, the eclairs and cream puffs, and so many grilled cheese options! Any day you visit, you’re sure to see owner, Robert Duensing, greeting everyone with a smile. If you recognize him, it’s probably because you’ve seen him on Food Network, Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Cafe Europa
Kansas City, MO (Union Hill & Crestwood)
Highlight: lemon cake & mini pies
It’s a restaurant, bar, and in-house bakery trifecta. Once upon a time, I worked relatively close to their Union Hill location. I would stop in after work for a slice of lemon cake every time I needed a pick-me-up. The lemon cake has a lemon cream cheese filling and citrus glaze. The fact that they have a full restaurant and bar means they’re winning all around. This is cheating a little, but I’m going to let you in on a non-bakery tip. Try the scallops and risotto; you won’t regret it.
JCCC Pastry Shop
Overland Park, KS
Highlight: breads & seasonal pastries
Also known as 12 Dames and One Dude Bakery, everything is freshly made by students of the JCCC pastry/baking program. The bakery is open every Friday when classes are in session, from 3 p.m. until sold out or 5:30 p.m. Everything is very affordable, as pricing reflects only costs of ingredients; labor is not calculated in the cost. But what’s cool is proceeds from pastry sales support the students in the program at JCCC. There is always a seasonal variety of breads, pies and tarts, cakes, chocolates, and cookies.
The Upper Crust Pie Bakery
Overland Park, KS (Downtown)
Highlight: PIE!
This cute bakery is run by sisters, with the help of their mom. All pies are baked from scratch and many are from old, family recipes. Pies come whole (9″), cutie (5″), and by the slice. Whole CREAM pies are only available by pre-order. They have over 30 pie flavors from fruity to nutty and everything in between. If you’re Pokemon for pie and gotta try ’em all, all you need to remember is THIRD FRIDAYS! Every third Friday, they offer PIE FLIGHTS! With wine! Tip: They are closed Sunday – Tuesday.
Quick mentions:
Orange rolls and hand pies at Dolce Bakery in Prairie Village
Cream puffs and macarons from Bloom Baking Co in River Market
Lemon tarts from Andre’s
Almond croissants from Bean Counter Cafe
Admittedly, I don’t get out north as often as I probably need to. Northlanders, do tell, what are your favorite bakeries we can add to this list?
