Brooklyn's Best Bakeries

The minute you enter Leskes, an old school family-owned Danish bakery in Bay Ridge, you will instantly be drawn to the sweet aroma of baked goods. Those in search of Scandinavian favorites like Wienerbröd will find it at this bakery that has provided Bay Ridge with flavorful Scandinavian treats for over 50 years. Leskes is also home to one of the best black and white cookies in all of NYC. Doughnut lovers will be pleased with their freshly baked donuts. And I'll admit, I did make a pilgrimage here for their incredible Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick's Day. If you've ever wanted to visit an old school Brooklyn bakery, this place is worth a visit and the calorie intake.

Head to Red Hook, an industrial section of Brooklyn that has become increasingly trendy over the past decade, and indulge in chocolate chunk cookie at Baked. You might also want to make room for a whoopie pie, which is a cookie sandwich, that often comes in seasonal flavors. Even if it's warm out, you should order a hot chocolate with their oversized homemade marshmallow. Located on Van Brunt, which is Red Hook's Main Drag, Baked is the perfect spot to start your day or have a special dessert after a meal at one of Red Hook's many noted restaurants.

Once noted as Brooklyn's Little Italy and featured in the 1980's hit film Moonstruck, the area has been through a serious transformation in the past couple of decades. Many of the old Italian shops have been replaced by artisanal eateries.  Although the bakery where Moonstruck was set has shuttered, thankfully Mazzola Bakery is still thriving. If you want a selection of homemade Italian bakery cookies, you can get everything from rainbow cookies (also known as seven-layer or Napoleon) to finger sandwich butter cookies and other classics. They also have a wide variety of breads and baked goods. Other Carroll Gardens spots for great Italian bakery cookies include Court Street Pastry and Monteleone, both located a short walk away on Court Street. 

This Midwood kosher bakery located in an orthodox section of Brooklyn, the atmospheric neighborhood filled with kosher restaurants and shops, has some of the tastiest rugelach in NYC.  If you're searching for ethnic favorites including chocolate babka, hamantaschen and others, this is the spot. Just to note, since it's Kosher, Ostrovitsky Bakery closes early on Fridays and aren't open on Saturdays. It also closes for Passover. The bakery is right off of Coney Island Avenue, making it the perfect stop if you're riding a bike down to Coney Island. Yes, after that long ride, you deserve a treat. 

This relative newcomer to Smith Street in Boerum Hill is the perfect spot to indulge in a slice of cake and cup of coffee. Their large window filled with baked good is so enticing, it's hard to walk past without stopping in for a quick treat. Of course, Mia's Bakery isn't a place to just stop in, it's better when you have the time to hang out and linger over your latte. Grab a table inside or on their patio and relax with a slice of coconut cake and a coffee. 

This quaint bakery located on a residential stretch of stroller-friendly Park Slope is a local favorite. Ladybird Bakery has a menu of standard favorites. They're also known for their delightful cupcakes. Order a sprinkle, which is a classic chocolate or vanilla cupcake topped with seasonal favorites or try their decadent Brooklyn blackout. 

Located on Atlantic Avenue, just a short walk from Barclays Center, this retro style Boerum Hill bakeshop sells some of the tastiest and prettiest cakes and cupcakes in Brooklyn. Choose from their menu of standard classics like red velvet, vanilla, and chocolate. If you're a fan of tarts, pick up their scrumptious lemon curd tart or strawberry shortcake. After you've purchased your sweet treats, walk along bustling Atlantic Avenue and enjoy shopping in the many antique  furniture shops and boutiques