Warm up with a tasty treat from one of the Alleghenies’ best bakeries

By Sarah Taylor

Local bakeries serve as a heartwarming hub for the area’s communities. Dedicated to crafting the freshest, highest-quality baked goods, they invite guests to gather and enjoy simple, delicious moments together. In the Alleghenies, bakeries sweeten the lives of residents and visitors alike. With countless bakeries offering everything from classic loaves to creative confections, here are a few of our favorites.

Sweethearts Confectionery – Huntingdon, Huntingdon County

In the heart of downtown Huntingdon, this cupcake business offers the option to build your own cupcake — or a box of them — and the chance to customize signature cakes. Sweethearts Confectionery is a one-stop-shop for all your sugary needs. 

Sweet Confections Bakery – Bedford, Bedford County

This small, local bakery stuns with a 100% recommendation rating among its Facebook reviews. Everything is made fresh, from the cookies to the cupcakes to the bagels. If you’re searching for a platter of freshly-baked Vanilla Grinch Macarons, Sweet Confections Bakery is the spot for you.

Custom Cakes and Cookies – Johnstown, Cambria County

For “sweet treats like your grandma used to make” and classic Italian delicacies, head on over to this Johnstown staple. If you want to decorate your own cake, you can attend one of Custom Cakes and Cookies’ “Take the Cake” classes. The best part? You get to take your uniquely personalized cake home to enjoy!

Always Sweet – Mifflintown, Juniata County

Mifflintown’s Always Sweet bakery offers a wide array of specialty decorated cakes, cupcakes, cookies and more crafted by a self-taught baker. Always Sweet’s holiday menu features ooey-gooey apple cake pops, white chocolate peppermint cupcakes and chocolate orange macarons, amongst many other options.

Sweets of Gold – Milesburg, Centre County

Sweets of Gold is the passion-project-turned-business of a Penn College baking and pastry arts graduate. The bakery’s mission is to “provide you with quality taste and appearance, heartfelt products and positive service through passion, integrity and grace.”

The Cookie Jar – McVeytown, Mifflin County

While its internet presence is not that showy, The Cookie Jar was ranked the 5th best place to eat in McVeytown. With over 61 votes and an average star rating of 4.8, this bakery is a must-visit. Guests can smell the delicious fresh pies and breads while shopping amongst the small collection of candles and decor.

Mrs. Benner’s Famous Scratch Made Bakery – Berlin, Somerset County

Located inside Landis Market, Mrs. Benner’s Famous Scratch Made Bakery is just what it sounds like: a bakery where everything is “made from scratch,” based off Mrs. Benner’s famous recipes. All the cakes, pies, breads and desserts include only the freshest ingredients and no added preservatives. With a range of delicious and one-of-a-kind pies, Mrs. Benner’s is one stop for all your dessert needs.

Real is Butter Bakery – McConnellsburg, Fulton County

Located in McConnellsburg, Real is Butter Bakery is a veteran-owned and operated bakery offering fresh buns and baked goods. With an array of mouthwatering cupcake flavors, from German chocolate to coconut; cheesecakes; sticky buns; and chocolate chip cookies, Real is Butter Bakery is a must-try during this hectic holiday.

The FARM Bakery & BBQ – Alexandria, Huntingdon County

The FARM is proud to serve BBQ and baked goods to the local community in Alexandria. The FARM’s Bakery offers traditional hand-rolled pies, ensuring each bite is a delightfully nostalgic experience.

Greenawalt’s Goodies – Everett, Bedford County

As the Christmas festivities come into full swing, be sure to check out Greenawalt’s Goodie’s assortment of cookies, including butter cookies with jam, snowball cookies, “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” cookies, frosted holiday-shaped cookies and classic chocolate chip cookies.

Lambcakes – Johnstown, Cambria County

Although lacking lambs, Johnstown’s Lambcakes does have plenty of cakes, including tiered cakes, sheet cakes, double layer round cakes, carved cakes and cheesecakes. Lambcakes also has an array of cupcakes, pies, cookies, gobs (whoopie pies), chocolates, fudge and yeast breads.

The Little Store Deli of Mifflintown – Mifflintown, Juniata County

The Little Store Deli of Mifflintown has apple, cherry blueberry, pecan shoofly, peach and coconut cream pies. If you’re looking for a little taste of homemade magic, this is the place to be.

The Square Café and Bakery – Lewistown, Mifflin County

The mantra at The Square Café and Bakery is “happiness is homemade,” and with whoopie pies, cookies and breads made from scratch, the business certainly lives up to its philosophy. The selection of whoopie pies is wide, with options such as peanut butter sandwich and red velvet. In the morning, the bakery offers cinnamon rolls and sticky buns, as well as scones and muffins.

Dough Girls Cakes – Rockwood, Somerset County

Dough Girls Cakes does more than just cakes. The business prides itself on creating the most delicious and splendid whoopie pies, cookies, regular pies, donuts and more. Dough Girls Cakes also prides itself on being a force for good in the community. On this year’s Small Business Saturday, half of all proceeds went to support Co-op Cheer, which was collecting items for those affected by recent hurricanes.

Mrs. Groves Bakery – Duncansville, Blair County

Mrs. Groves Bakery is open 6:00 am to 12:00 pm, Wednesday to Saturday. However, it’s first come-first served, so be sure to show up early in order to score some freshly baked fruit claws or some warm pecan sticky buns. With daily specials, this bakery is a morning treat.

Twisted Spoon & Co. – Warriors Mark, Huntingdon County

Twisted Spoon and Co. specializes in twisted cupcakes. What is a twisted cupcake you might ask? A twisted cupcake requires a fork because they’re “stuffed with amazingly flavorful jams, curds, caramels and ganaches.” Examples include the adult-only espresso bourbon caramel, the zesty blueberry lemon and the dense carrot cake cupcakes. If stuffed cupcakes are not your thing, Twisted Spoon and Co. also has regular, classic vanilla and chocolate cupcakes.

Maddie Cakes – Roaring Spring, Blair County

Desperate for a spring break trip to the Florida Keys? Try Maddie Cakes’ key lime flavored cupcake. Wishing for the healthier kind of a sweet pick me up? Try the mocha or carrot cake cupcakes. Craving a cupcake that tastes like a meal? Try the stuffed French toast or peanut butter & jelly cupcakes. With a seemingly unless array of gourmet cupcakes, Maddie’s Cakes has whatever flavor you’re craving.

The Alleghenies region is filled with so many small, locally owned bakeries. Shop small and enjoy all the delicious sweets the region has to offer.

Sarah Taylor is a communications professional studying telecommunications at Penn State University. She can be reached at sarah.st.taylor@gmail.com.