I Spent A Weekend In Small-Town Vermont Visiting 11 Maple Bakeries (And 3 Of Them Were Pure Heaven)
Last Saturday morning, I woke up with one mission: eat my body weight in maple pastries across the Green Mountains. My car smelled like cinnamon by noon, and my camera roll became a sugar-dusted shrine to butter and Vermont pride.
Some bakeries served decent treats that tasted fine but forgettable. Others made me pull over twice just to savor another bite in the parking lot.
By Sunday evening, I had found three spots so spectacular they deserved their own fan club, and eight others that still earned their place on any pastry pilgrimage.
Here is every stop, ranked by how loudly I hummed while chewing.
1. Red Hen Baking Company, Middlesex (Pure Heaven)
Wood smoke curls out the chimney before sunrise, and by the time you step inside, the whole café smells like toasted grain and caramelized sugar. I ordered a maple latte and a morning bun so sticky it required two napkins and zero regrets.
Their counter case empties fast, so sleeping in costs you the best selection. Sandwiches arrive on house bread that crackles like autumn leaves when you tear into it.
Hours are posted clearly on their website, and parking fills up quick on weekends. This place earned its heaven status within three bites.
2. King Arthur Baking Company Café, Norwich (Pure Heaven)
Legend meets small-town charm in a café where you can watch bakers shape dough through big windows.
I crushed a maple scone that crumbled perfectly, then chased it with a maple-iced treat that made my taste buds stand up and applaud.
Seating disappears fast on Saturday mornings, but the line moves with surprising speed. Hot drinks pair beautifully with anything you grab from the case.
Check their café hours and seasonal menus online before you visit.
3. Stowe Bee Bakery & Café, Stowe
Mornings here taste exactly like Vermont should, with maple donuts that melt on your tongue and seasonal pastries that change with the leaves.
Their espresso hits strong and smooth, the kind that wakes you up without punishing your stomach.
The room stays cozy even when packed, and locals clearly know the drill. Treats box up beautifully if you want to take some along for a mountain drive later.
Everything I tried felt thoughtfully made.
4. Sweet Simone’s, Richmond
This place buzzes with neighborhood energy, the kind where everyone knows the baker’s first name.
I grabbed a slice of layer cake so tender it barely needed a fork, plus a cookie that tasted like someone’s grandmother had perfected the recipe over decades.
Rotating pastries lean hard into Vermont flavors, and maple makes regular appearances in seasonal specials. The vibe stays warm and bustling without feeling rushed.
Current hours and fresh bakes are updated regularly online.
5. Dorset Bakery, Dorset
Sunlight pours through the windows like honey, and the pastries inside match that golden glow. I snagged something maple-sweet and a strong coffee, then lingered longer than I planned because the vibe felt too good to rush.
Breakfast sandwiches tucked into flaky croissants vanish early, so timing matters. The farmhouse aesthetic feels refined without trying too hard, and every detail looks intentional.
This spot rewards anyone willing to slow down and savor.
6. Grandma Miller’s Pies & Pastries, South Londonderry
Pies rule this country bakery, but the doughnuts taste like October rolled into dough and fried until golden.
Maple appears in seasonal specials, and the whole place radiates that pure Vermont kindness you hope to find but rarely do.
I left with a box of treats that made my car smell like a sugar shack for the rest of the trip. The vibe stays humble and homey, never flashy.
Everything here tastes like it was made by someone who actually cares.
7. Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Waterbury Center (Pure Heaven)
Cider doughnuts fry all day long, filling the air with a scent so good it should be bottled. Maple everything lines the shelves, from candies to creemees when the season allows, and the bake counter never seems to rest.
It leans touristy, sure, but locals still show up because the quality holds. I ate three doughnuts in the parking lot and regretted nothing.
Open daily with clear information posted on their site. This spot earned its heaven status by doing one thing exceptionally well and never getting lazy about it.
8. Woodstock Farmers’ Market, Woodstock
A year-round market houses a legit commercial bakery that cranks out maple-leaning pastries and grab-and-go sandwiches that actually taste fresh. The line proves the point better than any review could.
I grabbed a pastry and a sandwich, both of which disappeared faster than I expected. The setup makes it easy to stock up for a picnic or a long drive through the hills.
This spot balances convenience with quality in a way that feels rare and worth celebrating.
9. Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop, Bennington
Road-trip vibes hit the moment you pull into the parking lot, and the bake case inside rewards every impulse buy. Pies, cider doughnuts, and maple treats share space with fresh orchard goods that smell like September.
Quick coffee pairs perfectly with whatever you grab from the counter. The setup makes it easy to stop, stock up, and keep rolling.
Seasonal and daily hours are noted online, so planning a detour takes minimal effort.
10. The Warren Store, Warren
An old-school general store hides a serious bakery operation in the barn out back. Maple shows up in croissants and morning buns that taste as good as they look, and the deck over Freeman Brook makes the perfect perch for pastry therapy.
I sat outside with a bun and a coffee, watching the water tumble past while crumbs collected on my lap. The whole setup feels timeless in the best way.
This spot proves that general stores can still surprise you.
11. Haymaker Bun Company, Middlebury
A bun temple where weekly lineups of brioche swirls, sticky buns, and seasonal glazes sell out faster than you think possible. Maple flavors rotate in depending on the week, and every bun feels like a small edible masterpiece.
The Middlebury shop keeps tidy daytime hours that make planning easy. I tried two different swirls and immediately wished I had bought four.
Recent local guides confirm those hours, so checking ahead saves disappointment.