13 Unique Dessert Shops In Texas You Just Have To Visit
Texas may be famous for smoky brisket and spicy enchiladas, but anyone with a sweet tooth knows the state also delivers desserts worth writing home about.
Picture creamy scoops of small-batch ice cream, pastries that double as works of art, and confections bold enough to match Texas’s larger-than-life spirit.
Get your fork (or spoon) ready – we’re diving into 13 dessert spots where indulgence is the main attraction.
1. Lick Honest Ice Creams
Farm-fresh ingredients transform into extraordinary flavors at this beloved Texas ice cream chain. The seasonal menu changes with Texas harvests, featuring unique combinations like Goat Cheese & Thyme that’ll make your taste buds dance.
I still remember my first spoonful of their Honey & Vanilla Bean – pure creamy bliss that transported me straight to childhood summers. Their commitment to local sourcing means every scoop tells a delicious Texas story.
2. OMG Squee
Cute meets delicious at this entirely gluten-free Asian American dessert haven. The pastel-colored mochi donuts practically beg to be photographed before you devour their chewy-soft perfection.
Their taiyaki soft-serve – ice cream nestled in fish-shaped waffle cones – combines Instagram-worthy presentation with mouthwatering flavor.
The macarons come in rotating flavors that range from traditional to wildly creative, each one a tiny work of art.
3. Bananarchy
Frozen bananas reach their full potential at this quirky Austin trailer. Choose your dip (chocolate, vanilla, or peanut butter), then select toppings ranging from crushed cookies to nuts and sprinkles.
The magic happens when the cold banana meets warm chocolate coating, creating that perfect temperature contrast.
During my last visit, the friendly staff convinced me to try their signature “G.O.B.” banana – two bananas double-dipped in chocolate – which now haunts my dessert dreams regularly.
4. Round Rock Donuts
Those distinctive orange-yellow donuts have been tempting Texans since 1926. The secret lies in their yeast-raised dough that creates an airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture unlike any other donut you’ve tried.
Brave souls can attempt the Texas-Sized Donut – a massive creation equivalent to a dozen regular donuts. The shop often has lines out the door, but locals know the wait is absolutely worth it for these warm, freshly glazed pieces of heaven.
5. Emporium Pies
Housed in a charming converted bungalow, this pie paradise elevates the humble slice to art form status. Each handcrafted creation features an impossibly flaky crust and creative fillings that change with the seasons.
The “Drunken Nut” bourbon pecan pie remains a year-round favorite that perfectly balances sweetness with a hint of boozy warmth.
My grandmother’s homemade pies were legendary in our family, but even she would tip her hat to the mastery happening inside Emporium’s cozy kitchens.
6. Milk & Cream
Genius strikes in the form of their signature creation: ice cream sealed inside a warm, glazed donut. The contrast between a hot, fresh-baked donut and a cold, creamy filling creates dessert magic that defies traditional categories.
Customers choose their ice cream flavor and toppings, then watch as it’s all pressed together into a handheld treat.
The Lower Greenville location buzzes with energy on summer nights when Dallasites queue up for this perfect sweet remedy to Texas heat.
7. Howdy Homemade Ice Cream
Sweet treats with an even sweeter mission define this special scoop shop. Founded to create meaningful employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, every visit supports an incredible cause.
Their Dr Pepper Chocolate Chip flavor perfectly captures the Texas spirit – a bold, unexpected combination that somehow works brilliantly.
During my last visit, team member Marcus guided me through flavors with such enthusiasm and expertise that the joy in the air felt as delicious as the ice cream itself.
8. MELT Ice Creams
Small-batch perfection awaits at this craft creamery, where flavors rotate based on seasonal inspiration. The minimalist, Instagram-ready shops provide the perfect backdrop for their colorful, farm-to-cone creations.
Each flavor gets developed with meticulous attention to ingredient sourcing and balance. Their “Salt Lick” – salted caramel with a hint of sea salt – demonstrates how simplicity often creates the most profound flavor experiences.
The Magnolia Avenue location buzzes with families and date-night couples seeking sweet moments together.
9. Tiny’s Milk & Cookies
Childhood nostalgia gets a gourmet upgrade at this charming walk-up window. The scent of freshly baked cookies wafts through the air, drawing in passersby who can’t resist the classic combination of warm cookies and cold milk or ice cream.
I once stopped by on a rainy afternoon, feeling rather blue, but the first bite of their chocolate chip cookie – crisp edges giving way to a perfectly gooey center – turned my whole day around.
The house-made ice cream comes in flavors that complement their baked goods perfectly.
10. Red Circle Ice Cream
Asian-inspired dessert innovation makes this spot a true Houston gem. Their signature Churro Daddy combines freshly fried churros with creamy ice cream – crunchy, warm, cold, and sweet all in one magnificent bite.
The Hong Kong egg waffles wrapped around ice cream create bubble-textured cones that are as fun to photograph as they are to eat.
Adventurous flavor combinations like Thai Tea and Black Sesame attract dessert enthusiasts looking to expand their palate beyond the ordinary.
11. La King’s Confectionery
Step back in time at this historic Strand District treasure. The vintage soda fountain serves up old-fashioned malts and sundaes while candy-makers demonstrate traditional taffy-pulling techniques throughout the day on weekends and in summer.
The King family’s confectionery legacy dates to 1927, and La King’s has been delighting Galveston from its Strand location since 1976 – living history with a sweet tooth.
12. Bakery Lorraine
French pastry perfection awaits at this Pearl District institution. The display cases showcase meticulously crafted macarons alongside viennoiserie that would make Parisian bakers proud.
Each croissant shatters into buttery shards upon first bite, revealing hundreds of delicate layers within. The macarons come in creative flavors while maintaining that perfect texture balance – crisp shell giving way to chewy interior.
Morning lines form as locals seek their coffee-and-kouign-amann ritual before starting the workday.
13. Bella Cora Bakery
French technique meets border-town flavors at this acclaimed El Paso bakery. The entremets – multi-layered mousse cakes – showcase technical mastery with mirror-like glazes that seem almost too beautiful to cut.
Their viennoiserie section offers buttery croissants and morning buns that rival those found in European capitals.
During my visit last fall, I watched a father buy his daughter her first macaron – her face lighting up at that first perfect bite reminded me why desserts create such powerful memories for all of us.