My mom gave me my love of pastries. When I was a kid, we regularly visited a French bakery on Saturdays and came home with a box of pastries. Sometimes, half of the box’s contents were already gone by the time we arrived home. I loved them all, but my favorites were croissants and palmiers, a heart-shaped pastry that was crunchy, caramelized, and sweet. As an adult, I discovered the kouign amann, and it is a combination of my favorite pastries!

What is Kouign Amann?

First, you’re probably wondering how to pronounce the name: queen ah-mahn.

I love the crisp flakiness of the pastry, the buttery layers, and the sweet, caramelized crisp on the outside. Like puff pastry or a croissant, the kouign amann is light and fluffy with many layers. Kouign amann has layers of butter and sugar on the inside and caramelized sugar on the outside. The flavor is similar to a palmier, but it’s a little fluffier.

Where to Find Kouign Amann in Austin, TX

Kouign Amann isn’t as readily available as a variety of croissants, cinnamon rolls, and other pastries. No matter which restaurant or café you visit, be sure to go early because the kouign amann is bound to sell out!

Here are 10 bakeries where you can find a kouign amann in Austin.

Baguette et Chocolat

This bakery and cafe in Bee Cave has some amazing pastries! Their kouign amann is more like a palmier because it is less fluffy, more crispy, and flatter. A popular choice in the area, Baguette et Chocolat also has a menu of French cafe eats.

Address: 12101 FM 2244, Bldg 6, Bee Cave, Texas, 78738
Website: https://www.baguetteetchocolat.com/

Bakery Lorraine

This pastry shop, led by chefs who met while working at Bouchon Bakery, originated in San Antonio and expanded to Austin with a location at the Domain on Rock Rose. Their delicious kouign amann is filled with lemon curd. I also love Bakery Lorraine for brunch.

Address: 11600 Rock Rose, Ste #110, Austin, TX 78758
Website: https://www.bakerylorraine.com/

Epicerie

Curious about a savory kouign amann? Epicerie’s kouign amann combines the sweet and butter caramelized pastry with hints of rosemary, which makes it a unique offering. This restaurant gets very busy for weekend brunch so be sure to arrive early.

Address: 2307 Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas 78756
Website: http://epicerieaustin.com/

La Patisserie

With two locations in Austin (north and south), you can pick up this kouign amann on the weekends. It is many times filled with seasonal fruit, so it tastes similar to a pie or pastry tart.

Address: 602 W. Annie St., Austin, Texas 78704 or 7301 Burnet Road Ste 102, Austin, Texas 78757 
Website: https://www.lpaustin.com/

Nougatine Bakery

This bakery first existed at the Barton Creek Farmers Market, but they now also have a brick-and-mortar bakery at The Austin Winery. You’ll find plenty of delicious pastries here, including a kouign amann.

Address: 440 E St Elmo Rd A1, Austin, TX 78745
Website: https://nougatinebakery.com/

Pieous

While Pieous is famous for its pizza and pastrami, its bakery has created its own following for its pastries. Their kouign amann has all the crispy layers you’re looking for!

Address: 166 Hargraves Drive, Bldg H, Austin, TX 78737 (in the Belterra Village Shopping Center)
Website: https://www.pieous.com/

Rocheli Patisserie

In East Austin, Rocheli Patisserie is a cute bakery with a pastry case full of pretty treats. They also serve high tea. Their kouign amann is more bready inside and has fewer caramelized bits on the outside.

Address: 1212 Chicon St #102, Austin, TX 78702
Website: https://rocheli-patisserie.square.site/

Sour Duck Market

The littlest sister of Barley Swine and Odd Duck, Sour Duck Market has many pastries on their menu, including the kouign amann. The Eastside bakery (and restaurant) has a spacious patio for dining in.

Address: 1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78702
Website: https://www.sourduckmarket.com/

Swedish Hill Bakery

This popular bakery and cafe on West 6th is a busy spot full of pastry options, including a kouign amann. Enjoy pastries and coffee, and grab some grocery items on the way out.

Address:

• 1128 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
• 1804 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
• 415 Colorado St Unit 102, Austin, TX 78701
• 3663 Bee Caves Rd #4A, West Lake Hills, TX 78746

Website: https://www.swedishhillbakery.com/

Ti Amann

This cottage baker specializes in kouign amnn, so there are big expectations! These kouign amann were very crispy and had a little less butter than I expected. Pre-orders open every Monday at 5 pm.

Address: Pick-up locations
Website: https://www.instagram.com/tiamannbakery/

Know any other bakeries or restaurants in Austin where I could find kouign amann? I’d love to know!

Save this post on Pinterest for later!

P.S. See where I go for the best pastries in Austin in this post.

The post Where to Find Kouign Amann in Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Croissants, kouign amann, kolaches, turnovers, and pies. Let’s get pastries! Baked goods make the world a better place. Let me help you out because Austin has an abundance of pastries for you to enjoy.

Check out all 40 places on this list! It includes bakeries and a few restaurants known for their pastries.

85°C Bakery Cafe

6929 Airport Blvd #197, Austin, TX 78752 or 11301 Lakeline Blvd Suite 140, Austin, TX 78717

Details: Asian (Taiwanese) bakery chain

What to get: red bean bread, taro swirl

Abby Jane Bakeshop

16604 Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

Details: bakery in the Hill Country

What to get: croissant, sesame cookie

Baguette et Chocolat

12101 FM2244, Bee Cave, TX 78738

Details: French bakery in West Austin

What to get: cinnamon roll

Bakery Lorraine

11600 Rock Rose Ste #110, Austin TX 78758

Details: popular San Antonio bakery with a location at the Domain

What to get: pain au chocolat, kouign amann

Baklava House

10205 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

Details: many different kinds of baklava

What to get: pistachio baklava

Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches

3220 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723

Details: sweet and savory kolaches; also a taproom

What to get: brisket kolache

Brentwood Social House

1601 W Koenig Ln, Austin, TX 78756

Details: cafe with English baked goods and afternoon tea

What to get: Fat Rascal (scone), quiche

Cafe Nena’i

1700 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741

Details: cafe with South American pastries

What to get: pastafrola (guayaba tart), factura de guayaba y queso (Argentine croissant)

See my review here

Café No Sé / Mañana

1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Details: restaurant (Café No Sé) and coffee shop (Mañana) a part of South Congress Hotel; beautiful, light-filled spaces

What to get: kouign amann, croissants

Comadre Panaderia

1204 Cedar Ave, Austin, TX 78702

Details: Mexican American baked goods made with whole ingredients

What to get: concha, pink cake

See the feature post about this bakery here.

Easy Tiger

6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd Suite 1100, Austin, TX 78752; 3508 S Lamar Blvd Suite 200, Austin, TX 78704

Details: bake shop and beer garden

What to get: pretzel, fruit danish, cinnamon knot

epicerie

2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756

Details: cute house restaurant with good brunch too

What to get: cruffin, beignets, bostock

Good Things

101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701

Details: don’t sleep on this bakery in the Fairmont Hotel. It’s got lots of great options

What to order: croissant

Heaven’s Bistro Bakery

2205 W Parmer Ln Ste 100, Austin, TX 78727

Details: bakery and cafe in North Austin

What to get: danish

The Rose Bakery

10000 Research Blvd, Unit 123, Austin, TX 78759

Details: French bakery that first made its name at farmer’s markets

What to get: any croissant

La Patisserie

602 W Annie St, Austin, TX 78704 and 7301 Burnet Road Suite 102, Austin, Texas 78757

Details: French bakery

What to get: CroBrio, croissants, morning bun, macarons

Latin Bakery

11404 Ranch Rd 2222 #4, Austin, TX 78730

Details: bakery featuring Latin American flavors and typical baked goods

What to get: alfajores, chantilly cake

Mi Tradición Bakery

8716 Research Blvd #2090, Austin, TX and 801 E William Cannon Dr, Suite 125, Austin, TX 78745

Details: Mexican bakery with traditional treats

What to get: pan dulce, churros

Moonlight Bakery

2300 S Lamar Blvd #102, Austin, TX 78704

Details: Neighborhood bakery with fresh-baked goods and loyal customers

What to get: orange blossom

My Sweetish Friend

Check the Instagram for the next pop-up location

Details: new pastry trailer offering Swedish-influenced treats

What to get: Swedish tosca almond cake

Peace Bakery and Deli

11220 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753

Details: simple bakery with a small selection of Mediterranean sweets; attached to restaurant

What to get: baklava, almond cake

Phoenicia Bakery and Deli

4701 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756 and 2912 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Details: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern baked goods

What to get: baklava, pita bread

Pieous

166 Hargraves Dr, Bldg H, Austin, Texas 78737

Details: known for their pizza and pastrami but don’t miss the pastries

What to get: kouign amann, croissants

Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery

411 E 43rd St, Austin, TX 78751

Details: tucked away in Hyde Park; popular study/hang-out spot; also see sister bakeries Lady Quackenbush’s Cakery (1900 Simond Ave #300, Austin, TX 78723) and Captain Quackenbush’s Coffeehouse (5326 Manchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745)

What to get: pies, cakes, cookies

Rocheli Patisserie

1212 Chicon St #102, Austin, TX 78702

Details: cute bakery on the Eastside with a big French pastry selection

What to get: almond croissant

Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop

2400 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702

Details: bakery with a wide selection of delish pastries

What to get: special croissant flavors

Read more about the bakery here

Sour Duck Market

1814 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78702

Details: bakery and restaurant from the folks of the restaurant Odd Duck and Barley Swine

What to get: kouign amann, brown butter cake

Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop

1905 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

Details: known for its cupcakes but has a creative selection of pastries

What to get: bourbon chocolate pecan bar, s’more bar, cupcakes

Swedish Hill

1128 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

Details: Little Swedish Hill is their new outpost with an impressive pastry case while their original location is remodeled

What to get: fruit galette, kouign amann

Teal House Coffee & Bakery

2304 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78704

Details: South Austin bakery known for its cinnamon roll

What to get: cinnamon roll

Texas Bakery

10901 N Lamar Blvd D408, Austin, TX 78753

Details: Mom-and-pop Chinese bakery

What to get: coconut cream bun, pandan cake

Read more here

Texas French Bread

2900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705

Details: The bakery is still working to rebuild after a fire but they sell from a trailer behind the building

What to get: ham and cheese croissant, danish

Thai Fresh / Gati Ice Cream

909 W Mary St, Austin, TX 78704 or 1512 Holly St, Austin, TX 78702

Details: Thai restaurant and bakery known for gluten-free and vegan treats

What to get: peanut butter fudge cake

ThoroughBread

1709 Bluebonnet Ln, Austin, TX 78704

Details: small bakeshop with all types of bread and stuffed cookies

What to get: banana nutella cookie

Tiny Pies

5035 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756

Details: mini pies, classic and unique flavors, sweet and savory

What to get: Texas Two-Step pie

See my review here

Tinys Milk and Cookies

1503 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

Details: walk-up window or sit-down restaurant with roots in Houston

What to get: morning bun

Tous Les Jours

6808 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752

Details: chain Korean bakery with a great selection of fresh baked goods

What to get: Almond Croissant, mini Danish Pan Bread, milky bread

Upper Crust Bakery

4508 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756

Details: cute and roomy neighborhood bakery; also have savory lunch items

What to get: cinnamon rolls, Danish pastries, Italian crème cake

Use this map to find the closest place for pastries!

Don’t see your favorite on the list? Tell me about it below!

This guide is part of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance’s 2025 City Guide. Check out more of the best eats in Austin, curated by Austin food bloggers, on the full list of guides.

P.S. Be sure to check out my other Austin foodie lists!

• Austin Dessert Pop-Up Orders You Should Try
• Ultimate Austin Foodie Bucket List
• Best Cupcakes in Austin
• Best North Austin Restaurants
• Kouign Amann – the queen of all pastries?
• My Favorite Restaurants in Austin

The post Best Pastries in Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop

As the rockstar baker behind the eponymous bakery, Amanda Rockman has been feeding Austinites delicious bakeries for a decade. She returned to Austin in 2015 after pastry adventures took her to New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. You may have tasted her pastries in one of the New Waterloo venues like Mañana.

Now, aren’t we lucky to get this special bakery? A place of Rockman’s own with creative pastries, caffeine and booze, and a colorful interior. There are 18 classic pastries, 4 bagels, and 9 weekend special pastries on the menu. That’s a whole lotta pastry! It’s a blessing and a curse – so much variety and so little time. I highly recommend bringing a group so you can split a little bit of everything!

And drinks! There’s coffee, there’s booze. The seating is casual but if your group gets there early enough, you could share a carafe Sammy Sunrise (mimosa) and have a really good time.

What’s in My Pastry Box

With so many options, how do I choose?! I try to get a sampling of items, a mix of classic and specialty. The main categories here with multiple options are croissant, bagel, cake, cookie, and schmear. Items like buns, cones, and turnovers are available too.

Here’s what I got.

Kouign Amann – This was a must, of course. It’s one of my favorite pastries. Rockman has a regular flavor and a seasonal flavor. When I went I believe the special was a lime margarita.

Strawberry Cheesecake Croissant (weekend special) – They do have a plain croissant but with so many flavors, it was hard to resist! This strawberry cheesecake version was great! It has dried strawberries and light strawberry glaze on the outside and cream cheese filling. The outside was a bit crispier than I like but the inside was like a cheese danish.

I’ve had the Churro Croissant on another occasion and it was delicious too. It is loaded with cinnamon on the outside and also has a cream filling.

Everything Bagel with French Onion Dip – When there’s a whole bagel and schmear section, you have to order one! I also ordered this to try to balance out my box of breakfast sweets. (This is correct logic, right?) These are tear and dip bagel/schmear situations and this combo was great! Next time I want to try the pepperoni pizza bagel. 

Vanilla Chantilly Cake (weekend special) – There are two kinds of cake at Rockman. One is cake disguised as breakfast – think banana chocolate walnut cake and almond poppysead lemon cake, which are both available on the classic menu. The other is clearly cake, a party cake. This vanilla chantilly cake is excellent and of what I ordered, the only thing that would be a must-order again for my next visit, probably because there are fewer party cake options on the menu.

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie – I typically order a chocolate chip cookie for two reasons – it’s a classic bakery item to compare and it’s my husband’s favorite. This one was pretty good. Next time I want to try the Oat Crack Cookie.

Cardamom Bun – I went for adventurous on this flavor and while good, I wish it was cinnamon. The texture and glaze were perfect though!

On my list for my next visit:

• Pepperoni Pizza Bagel
• Oat Crack Cookie
• Snickerdoodle Cookie
• Cinnamon Roll
• Almond Poppyseed Lemon Cake
• Butterscotch Pineapple Turnover

If you choose based on your taste profile, you can’t go wrong. There are plenty of excellent choices and the quality is A++.

Psst…before you leave, take a peek at their bathroom wallpaper.

Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop
2400 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702
https://www.rockmanatx.com

Looking for more Austin pastries? See these posts:

• Best Pastries in Austin
• Visit Comadre Panadería for Mexican Bakery Pastries in Austin
• Why You Should Visit Texas Bakery, Chinese Bakery in Austin

The post Which Pastries to Get at Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Comadre Panadería

Chef Mariela Camacho first started popping up with Comadre Panadería in Seattle in 2017. When she moved back to the Austin/San Antonio area in 2019, her pop-ups were a hit. I first tried the pastries from the pick-up orders at Nixta Taqueria. In April 2023, the bakery moved into a space next door and Austin is delighted with the variety of pastries on the menu.

Translated from Spanish as “homegirl’s bakery,” Comadre Panadería focuses on quality ingredients and on enhancing traditional recipes with sometimes unexpected flavors. For me, it’s an exciting education on Mexican pastries that has made me love pastries even more, and this bakery is good for the community. I love that Camacho is preserving and sharing Mexican recipes, as well as her talent. Others are taking notice as well. She was nominated for a James Beard Award in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category this year.

Ultimately, the delicious tastes and the weekend lines speak for themselves!

When you arrive, look for the “park here for pan” sign and the orange door.

Logistics and Menu

Pre-orders open on Wednesday at 10 am, but the bakery also has walk-in availability (expect a short line). They are currently open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The menu differs every week but may have some similar or re-occurring items. Flavors will vary from week to week, but there are typically two concha flavors, two cookie flavors, a cake, and an empanada. They also have six packs of flour tortillas.

All My Mexican Bakery Goodies

If it’s your first visit, be sure to try an empanada, a concha, and a cookie.

Here’s what I got – pretty much one of everything – on my most recent visit.

Meyer Lemon Concha – brioche bun topped with a TX meyer lemon shell

Cacoa Nib Concha – brioche bun filled with dark Mexican chocolate chunks, topped with a shell filled with Mexican cacao nibs

Atole Sugar Cookie – inspired by Atole; based with heirloom masa (Nixta Taqueria), Mexican cinnamon, and piloncillo

Sourdough Choco Chip Cookie – classic cookie with dark chocolate chips

TX Buckwheat & Cajeta Choco Cake – dark chocolate and Texas-grown buckwheat cake layered with cajeta (caramelized goat milk) cream cheese frosting

Papa Ranchera, Egg, Cheese Empanada – tender dough filled with yukon gold potatoes simmered in a spicy salsa, scrambled eggs, and cheddar cheese; served with salsita

Bean and Cheese Kolache – masa madre (sourdough) kolache filled with Chihuahan-style cheese

Pink Cake – classic panaderia sheet cake with TX heirloom corn flour

Piloncillo Caramel Apple Fritter – masa madre (sourdough) donut with Texas granny smith apples

My favorites from this menu were the empanada, the meyer lemon concha, the choco chip cookie, and the pink cake, but all were tasty.

Don’t forget a drink! HIJITA is an Austin company that makes drinking chocolate drinks. Made from regenerative Mexican cocoa, these drinks are delicious! The HIJITA Snow Jasmine Choco Milk Tea, made with oat milk, local honey, and jasmine tea, is going to be my go-to. I loved this unique combination and would drink it again.

Now, I’m already thinking about when I can visit next! Go try it out for yourself and let me know what you think!

Comadre Panadería
1204 Cedar Ave, Austin, TX 78702
Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday
https://comadrepanaderia.com/
https://www.instagram.com/comadre_panaderia/

P.S. Looking for more pastries? You’ll want to check out these posts:

• Why You Should Visit Texas Bakery, Chinese Bakery in Austin
• Best Pastries in Austin
• South American Pastries at Café Nena’i in Austin, TX

The post Visit Comadre Panadería for Mexican Bakery Pastries in Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Where are the Chinese Bakeries in Austin?

While there are similarities in baked goods in East Asian cultures, I’m most familiar with Chinese bakeries, and they were a regular delicacy while growing up in Dallas. I’ve noticed more and more the lack of these bakeries in Austin, a somewhat common deficiency in ethnic food. Austin’s population is becoming more diverse, and hopefully, with that, the choices and variety of restaurants will expand along with it. Years ago, we had at least two mom-and-pop bakeries, but with closures and constantly changing hands, it’s evident that this has always been on shaky ground. This is why I want to support Texas Bakery as much as I can – they have great baked goods to offer in a sorely lacking category in Austin.

You might be thinking, you’re forgetting all the other East Asian bakeries in Austin! There are several locations of Tour Les Jour (national Korean franchise) and 85 °C Bakery Cafe (international Taiwanese franchise) in Austin to satisfy our cravings for milk bread and taro buns. I still shop there. They fill the need and their products are consistent, but I’m always left wanting more. Maybe it’s something only mom-and-pop shops with recipes passed down through generations provide. Maybe it’s using local ingredients and making things from scratch. For me, Texas Bakery hits different.

Texas Bakery

Tucked in the corner of Austin’s Chinatown Center in North Austin, this small shop holds big dreams. It’s nostalgia for enjoying a coconut cream bun after school and the growing need to connect with my culture as an adult. This spot has been an Asian bakery for at least 10 years, though it has changed owners several times. A Chinese family currently owns it.

When you walk in, you’ll find trays and tongs on the left to help you gather your choices. The shelves are overflowing with options, a bit haphazard when it comes to the differing tables but still organized with item labels in English and Chinese.

As with many Chinese bakeries, dietary restrictions aren’t accommodated and most of the breads are made with gluten and milk. However, if you’re looking for meat-free options, they have sweet and savory types.

If you need a cake for a special occasion, they also do custom orders. Ask to see their product book and talk through the options.

They do have a $15 credit card minimum, so be sure to bring cash just in case or be ready to load up on pastries.

What to Buy at a Chinese Bakery

When it comes to sweet offerings, my favorite things are:

• Coconut cream bun
• Sponge cake and cake rolls
• Coconut bun
• Red bean bun
• Taro bun
• Pineapple bun
• Egg tart
• Wife cake
• Sesame ball with red bean

At Texas Bakery, I don’t recommend their egg tart and pineapple bun, but I love their coconut cream bun and pandan cake!

For savory items, the hot dog bun is traditional as well as dry pork / pork floss rolls. Texas Bakery sells curry “dumplings” (like an empanada) and pork buns.

It might be a monumental ask for this small shop to fill the physical and emotional needs of Asian Americans like me. All we can do is give them our support and hope for the best. I encourage you to give it a try!

If you’re looking for more Chinese baked goods, Tour Les Jour and 85 °C Bakery are available. You can also find them at dim sum at restaurants like Lin Asian and Chinatown.

Looking for more Asian food? Check out these posts:

• Where to Eat Chinese Dumplings in Austin
• Best Asian Desserts in Austin
• Where to Eat Noodles in Austin

The post Why You Should Visit Texas Bakery, Chinese Bakery in Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Since I visit Dallas a few times a year, I keep an eye on places to eat and drink there. Kessler Baking Studio has been on my list for years because their sweet treats look so tasty. Did you know they were a James Beard semifinalist in 2020? (James Beard Awards are one of the highest culinary honors solely in the U.S.) On a recent trip to Dallas, I finally made it there!

Why Visit Kessler Baking Studio?

You can find good baked goods in many places but you can tell when they’re exceptional. The secret might be love, but using Texas butter and Texas pecans might have something to do with it at Kessler Baking Studio. They also never add preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors.

Chef Clyde Greenhouse, the Bow Tie Baker, started Kessler Baking Studio in 2001, so if you live in Dallas, you’re no stranger to this deliciousness. Be sure to visit on a Saturday when they pull out their specialty breakfast items like cinnamon rolls and banana bread.

Which Baked Goods to Try

I couldn’t help but get a sampling of different things – cookies, brownies, and pastries.

Kessler Banana Bread (with pecans and walnuts)

“Mom’s banana bread” is a hefty circular loaf, a perfect banana bread offering. Each is about 2-3 inches wide and 1 inch tall.

Kessler Cinnamon Roll

Big, fluffy, and drenched in icing, this cinnamon roll was a good breakfast treat.

Chocolate Pecan Brownie

Their brownies are fudgy and thick! This pecan variety had pieces within the brownie and decor on top.

Texas Pecan Shortbread Cookie

Some may say shortbread cookies are boring, but they haven’t had this buttery version. The Texas shape and addition of pecans make their signature cookie extra special.

Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie

The cookies are big, between 2-3 inches across. The edges are crispy with a softer middle. Have you ever had a chocolate chip pecan cookie? Texas pecans are a good accompaniment.

Kesslerdoodle Cookie

I love snickerdoodle cookies and what really drew me to this one was the addition of ginger and look at the photo – so much cinnamon!

Oak Cliff Ranger Cookie

This one is a loaded oatmeal cookie with coconut, chocolate, pecans, and almonds. A little bit of everything that makes it unique.

Other items I didn’t get but sound scrumptious:

• Buttermilk biscuits
• Seasonal scone
• Sandwich cookie (2 cookies with vanilla buttercream)

Ordering for a group? The giant 9-inch oatmeal cream pie or 14-inch cookie cake would be great for a celebration.

If you’re in Dallas and driving past this cute bakery, make sure to stop in for a sweet treat!

Kessler Baking Studio
1129 N Beckley Ave, Dallas, TX 75203
https://www.kesslerbakingstudio.com/

The post Which Cookies to Try at Kessler Baking Studio in Dallas appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I love pastries! I gather some Austin favorites in an annual best pastries list. Thinking about the many bakeries in Austin and their cultural origins made me want to start a series where I dive deeper than the list. Pastries in Austin features the pastries and bakers and the countries and traditions that inspire them.

I have yet to visit South America, and I figured getting to know the flavors in Austin would be a good place to start. Café Nena’i opened in February 2017 and the light-filled cafe is a sweet place to stop for a South American pastry and coffee.

Café Nena’i

The café is a sweet and quiet shop decorated in white, black, gold, and a touch of red. Co-owner Elena Sanguinetti bakes all the delicious pastries at Café Nena’i. “Nena’i,” a nickname Elena had growing up, means ‘little girl’ in Paraguayan Guarani. The name serves as a reminder of dreams coming true for any and all girls, just as her dream of sharing her cooking has come true with this café. Elena’s talents in baking are brightening up the east side of Austin with the help of her daughter and co-founder Gladys Benitez’s skills in marketing and business.

Sweet Pastries

The Café Nena’i menu is inspired by Elena’s home country, Paraguay, and includes tastes from Argentina, Cuba, and Venezuela. The South American flavors and traditions are well represented in the pastries, empanadas, sandwiches, and drinks. Baked fresh every day, the confituras (sweets) are what I gravitated towards first. They’re beautifully displayed on the counter and it’s hard to choose only one!

• Alfajor – cookie sandwich with dulce de leche and coconut flakes
• Pastafrola – guava tart
• Torta de Miel – sugar cane cake
• Bollo – filled doughnuts (choose dulce de leche or guava)
• Medialunas – Argentine croissants, may be filled

The pastafrola was my favorite out of the confituras. The guava was perfectly portioned on the pastry. As I learned from Elena, Greeks have a similar pastry but they call it pastaflora. Upon further research, I found out the name of the dish comes from an Italian word and is thought to have come to South America through Italian immigrants. From the look and taste, it reminded me of a Thanksgiving pie or Czech kolache. These days, fusion restaurant concepts are newsworthy, and it’s interesting how cultures did this organically and created dishes we enjoy today.

Savory Pastries

There are also a handful of savory pastries available.

• Empanada – filled with beef, ham, chicken, or spinach and cheese
• Arepa – corn pastry with eggs, ham, and cheese
• Chipa – Paraguayan cheese bread
• Sandwiches – beef Milanese, ham and cheese, or Nutella

Coffee, anyone?

You can get your caffeine fix here. They’re set up for a “cafecito” (Cuban espresso) and other coffee drinks. Other than coffee, they have fresh orange juice and a fridge of bottled drinks.

Conclusion

The pastries are a hit, the décor is eye-catching, and it’s a quiet place to get some work done. If you’re looking to try some South American pastries in Austin, you’ll need to stop by Café Nena’i!

Café Nena’i
Address: 1700 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: http://www.cafenenai.com/

Have you ever tried South American pastries?

P.S. See more noteworthy Austin pastries here.

Keep up with my food adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post South American Pastries at Café Nena’i in Austin, TX appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I love pastries! I gather Austin favorites in an annual list for the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance. Thinking about the many bakeries in Austin and their origins made me want to start a series where I dive deeper than the list. Pastries in Austin will feature the pastries, the bakers, and the traditions that inspire them.

Disclosure: I attended a complimentary media tasting recently, though I’ve been buying Tiny Pies for years and will continue to buy them!

If you’ve ever tried to wrap up a slice of dessert to-go, you know how messy it can be. This was the thought process when owner and founder Amanda Bates’ son asked to take a slice of pie to school. Amanda and her mom Kit Seay got to thinking and the result is an Austin favorite that is shared and spotlighted nationwide. And you know what? No more messy pies to-go! These pies fit in your hand, much like a cupcake.

These are the tiny-tiny pie versions!

Tiny Pies opened in 2011 and started selling their pies at local farmers markets. They’ve grown quickly since opening, from creating packaged products to opening two storefronts in Austin. Their accolades include earning a spot on Oprah’s O List in The Oprah Magazine and being on the Katie Couric show. As much as I’ve stopped by for a tiny pie on the way home from work or picked up treats as gifts, I can’t imagine a time when these sweet treats haven’t been in my life. I’m not the only fan. Last Thanksgiving, they sold 2000 pies to walk-in customers in a five-hour period, and this didn’t even include pre-orders!

What makes me go back to Tiny Pies again and again? The flavors and the crust. The beautiful thing about pastries is the way the ingredients transform into something that melts in your mouth. They’re flaky and buttery, and that’s exactly what you’ll find with these pies. When it comes to the filling, they source locally as much as possible, so you know it’s fresh and full of flavor.

For flavors, they’ve got the “classic” favorites – apple, cherry, and pecan – along with other best-sellers such as Texas Two Step (pecan pie with a brownie on top) and the Chocolate Cream (chocolate pastry cream with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings). While my favorite flavors are apple and pecan, I also love their chess pie and seasonal strawberry basil pie (summer) and pear cranberry pie (fall)!

There’s frequently something new in store. I finally tasted one of their cherry pie tarts and it has hands-down become my favorite thing. I’m also loving the pot pies and empanadas. They’re all vegetarian and made with local veggies, usually whatever they get from the farmers market that week. My favorite savory offerings are the veggie pot pie, potato leek empanada, and spinach ricotta empanada. Kitchen Manager and Pastry Chef William Ankeney joined the Tiny Pies team this year and you bet he’s been helping with some exciting additions, like the savory pies. I hear they’re also working on some gluten-free options…

Savory Pot Pies and Empanadas

Though their signature offerings are the tiny pies that will fit in your hand, they also bake “not so tiny” nine-inch pies you can order for a gathering. Yes, they do custom orders for events and gifts! These are great for weddings, company parties, and party favors. You can decide the flavors, sizes, and shapes of your pies. From intricate designs to cute pie pop shapes, they will all taste amazing and are sure to delight your party guests. Check out this pretty pie!

With all the success they’ve earned, the Tiny Pies team continues to bake up smiles and fill our tables with delicious pies! Because of childhood experiences, I always thought pies were strictly for Thanksgiving. Since Tiny Pies has been around, I’ve happily learned they are perfect for any occasion year-round. Cheers to pie!

Tiny Pies
http://www.tinypies.com/
Storefronts: 5035 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756 and 2032 South Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78704
Yes, they ship nationwide! Order on their website.

P.S. Want to see the other pastries on my list? See them here!

Keep up with me! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Tiny Pies: The Place for Delicious Pies in Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Croissants, kouign amann, kolaches, turnovers, and pies. Are you getting hungry now? I’m not sure I could live without pastries. I did it during my Whole30 challenge last year, but baked goods make the world a better place. Let me help you out because Austin has an abundance of pastries for you to enjoy. I hope you get to check out all 24 of the places on this list! It includes bakeries and restaurants known for their pastries.

Baguette et Chocolat
12101 FM2244, Bee Cave, TX 78738
Details: French bakery
What to get: croissant sandwiches, crepes, choux creme

Bribery Bakery
2013 Wells Branch Pkwy #109, Austin, TX 78728 and 1900 Simond Ave. #300, Austin, TX 78723
Details: cute bakery by Chef Jodi Elliott
What to get: Pineapple brown butter blondie, stuffed brioche, croissants

Bribery Bakery

Café No Sé / Mañana
1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Details: restaurant (Café No Sé) and coffee shop (Mañana) a part of South Congress Cafe; beautiful, light-filled spaces
What to get: kouign amann, croissants

Capital City Bakery
2211 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Details: 100% vegan
What to get: cinnamon rolls, kolaches

Cream Whiskers
2222 Rio Grande St b120, Austin, TX 78705
Details: cream puffs and coffee shop in West campus near UT; busy student hangout spot
What to get: Fresh Strawberry cream puff

Cream Whiskers

Easy Tiger
709 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Details: bake shop and beer garden
What to get: almond croissant, Tiger Claw, all types of bread

Elizabeth St. Café
1501 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704
Details: Vietnamese restaurant with a bakery section
What to get: eclairs, macarons, croissants

epicerie
2307 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756
Details: cute house restaurant with good brunch
What to get: beignets

Josephine House
1601 Waterston Ave, Austin, TX 78703
Details: house restaurant with lovely patio and good brunch
What to get: kouign amann, canele

La Patisserie
602 W Annie St, Austin, TX 78704 OR 7301 Burnet Road Suite 102, Austin, Texas 78757
Details: French bakery
What to get: croissants, morning bun, macarons

Lucky Bakery
8557 Research Blvd #144, Austin, TX 78758
Details: traditional Chinese bakery
What to get: egg tart, coconut cream bread, pineapple bun

Lucky Bakery

Mi Tradición Bakery
8716 Research Blvd #2090, Austin, TX
Details: Mexican bakery with traditional treats
What to get: pan dulce, churros

Moonlight Bakery
2300 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Details: bakery with almost any kind of pastry you can think of
What to get: cinnamon roll, croissants, kolaches

Peace Bakery and Deli
11220 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
Details: simple bakery with a small selection of Mediterranean sweets
What to get: baklava, almond cake

Peace Bakery and Deli

Pie-e-tea
12005 W Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78737
Details: bakery of restaurant Pieous
What to get: kouign amann, croissants

Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery
411 E 43rd St, Austin, TX 78751
Details: tucked away in Hyde Park; popular study/hang-out spot
What to get: pies, cakes, cookies

Russell’s Bistro
1601 W 38th St #1, Austin, TX 78731
Details: popular brunch spot with a great selection of pastries
What to get: croissants

Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop
1905 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704 and 2406 Manor Road Suite B, Austin, Texas 78722
Details: known for their cupcakes but has a creative selection of pastries
What to get: bourbon chocolate pecan bar, s’more bar, cupcakes

Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop

Sweetish Hill Bakery
1120 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703
Details: downtown bakery with a huge selection of baked goods
What to get: sticky buns, fruit & cheese Danish

Texas French Bread
2900 Rio Grande St, Austin, TX 78705
Details: spacious restaurant and bakery in West Campus
What to get: ham and cheese croissant, bread

Tiny Pies
5035 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
Details: just as the title says, they are the home of small (about 3 to 5 bites) pies; classic and unique flavors, sweet and savory
What to get: Texas Two Step pie, Spinach Ricotta empanada, pie pops

Tiny Pies

Tous Les Jours
6808 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
Details: chain Korean bakery with a great selection of fresh baked goods
What to get: Almond Croissant, mini Danish Pan Bread, milky bread

Tous Les Jours

Upper Crust Bakery
4508 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
Details: cute and roomy neighborhood bakery; also have savory lunch items
What to get: cinnamon rolls, Danish pastries, Italian crème cake

Walton’s Fancy and Staple
609 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Details: adorable restaurant and bakery on 6th Street
What to get: cupcakes, bread pudding

Don’t see your favorite on the list? Let me know in a comment below.

This guide is part of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance’s 2017 City Guide. Check out more of the best eats in Austin, curated by Austin food bloggers, on the full list of guides.

P.S. Check out my guides to Best North Austin Restaurants, Best Cupcakes in Austin, and my Favorite Restaurants in Austin.

Keep up with my food adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Snapchat (@wanderlustanita). You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Best Pastries in Austin – 2017 City Guide appeared first on Fearless Captivations.