The Sweet Life in Harlem and Beyond: 15 Bakeries and Dessert Spots for Treats Galore

Harlem Chocolate Factory's chocolate bonbons.

With fall and its many holidays here, you might find yourself searching for sweets you can share with your friends and family.

Happily, these uptown bakeries and confectioneries are alway churning out mouth-watering treats, from freshly-made cupcakes to bonbons you won't find anywhere else.

Here's where to find them:

1. Avrilililly's

Hamilton Heights 1610 Amsterdam Ave between W 139th and W 140th Sts

A neighborhood spot for creamy house-made gelato (look also for vegan flavors like Flying Coconuts), plus stunning flower cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more.

Avrilililly's makes custom flower cakes.

2. Choc NYC

Inwood 4996 Broadway at 212th St

A wonderland of jewel-like pastries, confections and tarts, including glaze-topped pistachio eclairs and delicate flourless cakes.

3. Dutch Baby Bakery

Washington Heights 813 W 187th St between Fort Washington Ave and Pinehurst Ave

Chef Karah Rempe puts a creative spin on pastries, cupcakes, tarts, layer cakes and plenty of other treats made in-house.

4. Harlem Chocolate Factory

Central Harlem 2363 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between W 138th and W 139th Sts

Artisanal chocolate bonbons (Bodega Dreams), truffles (Red Velvet) and more inspired by Harlem's rich history.

5. L.A. Sweets NY

Central Harlem 192 Malcolm X Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts

Named after owner Loretta Alston (not the West Coast city), this small neighborhood bakery specializes in moist cupcakes in flavors like red velvet, sea salt caramel, and loaded Oreo, plus sliced cake, cinnamon rolls, cookies and more.

Lee Lee's rugelach comes in three flavors: apricot, raspberry and chocolate.

6. Lee Lee's Baked Goods

Central Harlem 283 W 118th St and Frederick Douglass Blvd

The scrumptious "rugelach by a brother"—a.k.a Harlem baker Alvin Lee Smalls—comes in three flavors: apricot, raspberry and chocolate. There are cookies and pies, too.

7. Levain

Central Harlem 2167 Frederick Douglass Blvd between W 116th and W 117th Sts

Famous for its ginormous (six-ounce) chocolate chip cookies, this cult chain also makes its own banana bread, sticky buns and lots more.

8. Lloyd's Carrot Cake

East Harlem 1553 Lexington Ave between E 99th and E 110th Sts

Possibly the moistest carrot cake in all of New York.

9. Make My Cake

Central Harlem 409 W 125th St between Morningside and Amsterdam Aves

This Harlem institution is located right on 125th Street, offering layer cakes and cupcakes in flavors such as red velvet and strawberry buttercream, plus cheesecake and pies.

10. Ma Smith's Dessert Cafe

Central Harlem 2380 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and W 139th St

This offshoot of Make My Cake (see above) is your one-stop source for all the Southern classics, including cheesecake, carrot cake, sweet potato pie and banana pudding.

11. Mojo Mousse Bar

East Harlem Window at corner of Lexington Ave and E 100th St

A truly one-of-a-kind destination for Belgian mousse made in small batches and served with little gold spoons.

Cupcakes at Make My Cake.

12. Pabade Bakery

East Harlem 135 E 110th St between Park and Lexington Aves

The pastry case here is filled with everything from flaky croissants to buttery financiers (made with almond flour, they're gluten-free). Plus cookies, cakes, brownies, vegan muffins and, yes, coffee to wash it all down.

13. Sugar Hill Creamery

• Central Harlem 184 Malcolm X Blvd between W 119th and W 120th Sts

• Hamilton Heights 3629 Broadway between W 149th and W 150th Sts

• East Harlem 1642 Lexington Ave between 103rd and 104th Sts

There are now three locations of this family-owned ice cream shop, with flavors such as the popular Chairperson of the Board (blueberry cheesecake) and Harlem Sweeties (salted caramel). Don't miss the ice cream cakes—and pies during the holidays.

14. Super Nice Coffee and Bakery

East Harlem 156 E 117th St between Third and Lexington Aves

This popular East Harlem bakery is known for its hand-made donuts, and now even has a new location at 196 W 108th Street for those who are closer to the west side. Just some of the many options: rainbow sprinkle, chocolate glazed, and passion fruit glazed.

A freshly made yeast donut from Super Nice Bakery.

15. Sweet Chef Southern Style Bakery

Hamilton Heights 122 Hamilton Pl between 142nd and 143rd Sts

The pies are the year-round draw at this 28-year-old small business. Choose from fruit-filled varieties like the apple and three-berry or the Yelp-approved sweet potato pie. Yep, there's also pecan and pumpkin.

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