Crusty breads, sugar-kissed pastries, frosted cakes, gooey eclairs, and cookies galore—these carb coma-inducing treats are always the best from a top-notch bakery. Here are some favorite finds in unexpected places in Wine Country.
Hidden high in the mountains west of Guerneville at The Elim Grove Cottages, the tiny shop sits beneath majestic old growth redwoods alongside Austin Creek. The bakery features fresh-baked-daily breads, parmesan foccacia, muffins, cinnamon rolls, buttermilk blueberry scones, croissants, lemon bars, apple coffeecake, cookies, fruit tarts, turnovers, fougasse, double chocolate brownies, biscotti, palmiers, Danishes, and much, much more. 5400 Cazadero Hwy, Cazadero
Just past their recent opening in a 1895 bungalow near downtown, the cheerful shop tempts locals and visitors alike with an all-vegan menu (gluten-free options also available). You won't miss the dairy or eggs in baker Tika Moon's treats, including tofurky sausage wrapped puff pastry with vegan Cheddar, peanut butter truffles, Russian tea cakes, and carrot cake Whoopie pies. 330 South Main Street, Sebastopol
Bumblebee Farms Bakery and Café
A visit to the Antique Society store is required in order to enter this closet-sized shrine to all things bakery. Tarts and cookies are glazed in homemade preserves made from the family farm, ranging from classics like blueberry and apple all the way to adventurous hibiscus flower and ginger. Owner Denise Shuster changes her menu daily—depending on your luck, you might snag Thin Mints cupcakes, sugar crusted fruit turnovers, truffle cake, or cranberry orange scones. Don’t mind if we do. 2661 Gravenstein Hwy S, Sebastopol
Tucked away in the back of Cairdean Estate winery village, chef Joseph Humphrey rolls his stuffed croissants with chocolate, cheese, and butterscotch-lime, resulting in flavor-packed croissants with filling throughout every bite. He takes the same care with other specialties, such as artisanal sourdough striped with Mendocino seaweed, Vadouvan brioche, and a good assortment of teacakes, filled doughnuts, trifle, bread pudding, and more. 3111 St Helena Hwy, St Helena
While driving down Bohemian Highway, if you blink for a second too you, you could miss tiny Wild Flour Bread. Once you step inside, you'll see bread master Jed Wallach manning the wood fired brick oven in this tiny cottage, churning out a dozen different kinds of organic, sourdough-based breads every day. But this bakery doesn't stop at bread—be sure to pick up their famous whipping crème scones, sticky buns, cheese fougasse, goat cheese flat bread, and biscotti. Relax and munch awhile in the scenic organic garden next to the open fields and barns. 140 Bohemian Hwy, Freestone
