Dessert shops are hugely popular on Anna Maria Island, and there is no wonder why. Who doesn’t love a delicious sweet treat? It is the perfect way to satiate your hunger after a long swim in the beautiful Gulf waters or following a walk around AMI’s stunning trails.
So, which dessert shops do tourists and locals love the most? There are a few that really stand out, and you should absolutely plan on visiting while you stay on Anna Maria Island.
Donut Shops
After you leave your Anna Maria Island rental in the morning, head to one of AMI’s donut shops. The Donut Experiment is the perfect place to load up on donuts. It’s also a great place to spend a rainy morning. If you don’t feel like leaving the house right away, you can order online.
The shop lets you customize your donuts. Start with a fresh-baked donut, then add your icing and topping of choice. There are also specialty donuts available, including a daily special. Want a sriracha donut? The Donut Experiment has them! It’s all about what kind of donut will satisfy your sweet tooth. There are plenty of options to choose from, so you and your friends or family will not have to settle for a donut that does not sound appealing.
Ice Cream Shops
Why not treat your family to some cool, refreshing ice cream? It’s one of the things that families love to do while vacationing on AMI.
Small Town Creamery offers ice cream as well as fudge, candy, and toys for the kids to take home as souvenirs. While the food and snacks are delicious (especially the unique waffle dogs), the ice cream is truly phenomenal. Take your pick from one of their many flavors, including the Bear Claw, Butterscotch Bomb, and Garbage Can. Of course, they also have more traditional flavors, such as Superman and Cookie Dough.
Anna Maria Island Creamery & Bakery is another hot spot that sells amazing ice cream. Their handmade gelato is hard to pass up. They use fresh local products to produce their gelato in-house and offer free samplings of their gelato flavors. Also, their baked goods are all too enticing, especially the William Dean truffles (which can be pre-made).
Delicious Bakeries
Got the urge to grab a cookie or cupcake? How about a slice of cake? While you’re hanging out in Bradenton, stop by Hometown Desserts or visit their location on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria City. Their custom cakes, cupcakes, and cookies are mouth-wateringly delicious. Visitors rave over their cookie cakes too, which are great to share with family and friends. If you have a special occasion, you can custom order a cake, and you’d better believe that it will turn out to be the most beautiful cake you’ve ever seen. Eating them almost seems like a crime.
Plan Your Visit
Allow some space in your budget for the delicious sweets that AMI has to offer. Once you’ve booked one of the stunning rentals in Anna Maria Island, plan to take your family or friends to a few of the local dessert shops. It’s a decision you won’t regret.
If you are craving cupcakes, head on over to Cupcake Delights, located on East Bay Drive in Holmes Beach. This family-owned bakery is one-of-a-kind and has been making AMI’s most talked-about cupcakes since 2007. They use fresh ingredients to create frostings made from scratch (like the amazing Cream Cheese), and the results are impressive. They will gladly cater to your special event or wedding, too!