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Whenever we travel, we're always interested in one thing — local eats! And what better way to experience America's many food traditions than by enjoying a slice of sweet-potato pie in Mississippi, a square of fudge made from goat cheese in South Carolina, or a potato-shaped ice cream sundae in Idaho?
We’ve found 49 iconic sweet treats and the best place to get them in each state (North and South Dakota share a signature). Some offer tours and free samples; others are just a short distance away from some of the area's most popular attractions and museums. So take a virtual road trip across America, and next time you're going somewhere new, try out one of these famous local spots. You can even get started right now, with our sugary pick for your own state.
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Alabama: Pie AtPie Lab
In the small town of Greensboro, Alabama, there is a place that has seemingly cracked the code on what it takes to break down barriers and create conversation: a slice of pie. The concept for this establishment, “Pie + Conversation = Ideas. Ideas + Design = Positive Change,” has garnered international attention and accolades. But, at its core, Pie Lab is a place where you can try some of the South’s signature flavor creations, including buttermilk, coconut, and pecan, along with their award-winning apple.
Photo: Via @pielab_greensboro.Clik here to view.
Alaska: Ice Cream AtThe Ice Cream Shop
If going out hunting and fishing or sitting down to a plate of moose ribs in this wildlife-rich state is not on your agenda, you can still experience its essence while trekking through Girdwood Valley to The Ice Cream Shop. Beyond vanilla and chocolate, their flavors include Alaskan Wildberry, Fireweed & Honey, cinnamon and ginger-flavored Glacier, or coconut-laced Polar Bear.
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Arizona: Prickly Pear Gelato At Tortilla Flat General Store
The prickly pear cactus grows plentifully across the desert, and once late summer hits, its bulbous, purple-hued ends are ripe for the picking. Its juices can be blended into nearly every type of food and drink, from cocktails to jams and jellies. At the Tortilla Flat General Store, a place on the Apache Trail that was once a stagecoach stop, you can try prickly pear gelato as well as prickly pear barbecue sauce. For a full dining experience, mosey up to Superstition Saloon, where the seats are actual horse saddles and the walls are covered with dollar bills signed by past guests.
Photo: Courtesy of Peter Wan.Clik here to view.
Arkansas: Karo Nut Pie At Franke's Cafeteria
This pie from Arkansas’ oldest eatery, Franke’s Cafeteria, in Little Rock, was named as the top dessert in the state by the Zagat Guide in 2015. When compared side by side, the recipes for this and pecan pie (pecans are the official state nut of Arkansas) are practically one and the same, and it's just as tasty.
Photo: Courtesy of Franke’s Cafeteria.Clik here to view.
California: Cookies AtHot Cookies
In San Francisco, a city long known for endorsing free love and unbridled forms of expression, it should come as no surprise that one of its most popular bakeries specializes in phallic treats of all shapes and, er, sizes. Best known for its man- and lady-parts-on-a-stick cookies (a.k.a. Penis and Venus) in your choice of vanilla or chocolate (with a sprinkling of coconut for emphasis), Hot Cookies also serves Rice Krispies Treats, brownies on a stick, and all types of cookies with a spin, like the Sticky Nikki (chocolate chip with pretzels, caramel, and sea salt).
Photo: Courtesy of Helder Ribeiro.Clik here to view.
Colorado: Mitchell Sweets At Hammond's Candy Factory
The only thing better than being a kid in a candy store? Being an adult in a candy store. Hammond’s Candy Factory has been a fixture in Denver for more than 90 years, where they produce everything from caramel corn to old-fashioned ribbon candy, as well as their signature Mitchell Sweet — a marshmallow hugged by caramel. They are now internationally known, but you can explore where it all begins by taking a tour Monday through Saturday.
Photo: Courtesy of Hammond’s Candy Factory.Clik here to view.
Connecticut: Ice Cream At Ashley's Ice Cream
While there are several creameries and parlors around the state to satisfy your craving for this ever-refreshing cool treat, Ashley’s Ice Cream can be found in five different locations across the state. They offer a large variety of flavors, including Nutella Chip and Raspberry Sorbet, as well as frozen yogurts, shakes, and pies.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashley’s Ice Cream.Clik here to view.
Delaware: Peach Pie At Bennett Orchards
This state takes its peaches very seriously. This stone fruit was extremely important to the agricultural and economic development of Delaware in the 18th and 19th centuries, and in 2009 peach pie was officially declared the state dessert. Once the season hits, take a trip to the coast and pick your own harvest of both peaches and blueberries at Bennett Orchards in Frankford, which is just an hour away from the state capital. They sell their own old-fashioned peach-cobbler mix, and have a recipe for pie on their website.
Photo: Courtesy of Bennett Orchards.Clik here to view.
Florida: Key Lime Pie At Kermit's
Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Pie is hardly a secret; when Food Network personality Alton Brown gives his signature of approval (along with several other media outlets), you can bet that your business is bound to become a destination spot. It’s worth the trip, even if you aren’t the biggest fan of the state dessert — Kermit’s offers key lime cookies, jelly beans, even salad dressing, which visitors can try along with several other flavors at the Tasting Bar set up in-store.
Photo: Courtesy of Terence Faircloth.Clik here to view.
Georgia: Key Lime Coolers AtByrd Cookie Company
Though Georgia is known as the Peach State, it’s all about the flavor of key lime at Byrd Cookie Company in Savannah. Let your nose catch hold of the fragrant cookie scent that wafts around the block and take a trip to the flagship store, which opened in 1924. The key lime coolers are the company’s biggest seller, but you can sample and purchase several varieties, including almond shortbread, chocolate mint, and their bite-sized peach-cooler cookies.
Photo: Courtesy of Katie Wells.Clik here to view.
Hawaii: Malasadas AtLeonard’s Bakery
It seems that every region in the United States has a special way of putting its spin on fried dough — and Hawaii is no different. The favored choice? Malasadas, a round, hole-free yeast-and-egg doughnut that is of Portuguese origin. At Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu, options include malasadas dipped in sugar, filled with custard, or in special flavors of the month like pomegranate. This shop claims to be Hawaii’s oldest malasada bakery.
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Idaho: Ice Cream Potato AtWestside Drive-In
This state produces the largest number of potatoes in the country, so it should be of no surprise that spuds have extended into the dessert world. At the Westside Drive-In in Boise, you can get true American fare: corn dogs, cheeseburgers, patty melts — and their iconic Ice Cream Potato dessert. Don’t worry, though — it’s not an actual frozen potato or even potato-made ice cream, but rather ice cream that is covered in cocoa powder, topped with whipped cream, and molded into the shape and look of a potato.
Photo: Courtesy of Westside Drive In.Clik here to view.
Illinois: Popcorn AtDel’s Popcorn Shop
The official state snack food of Illinois sticks to the basics at small-town Del’s Popcorn Shop in Decatur. Caramel, kettle, and cheese popcorn flavors (as well as cookies and cream, chocolate, and peanut butter) can always be found at this establishment, along with freshly dipped caramel apples, fudge, novelty candy, and more.
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Indiana: Gummi Bears AtAlbanese Confectionery Group, Inc.
Though gummi bears look small and dainty in your hand, the process behind making those tiny, smiling sugar bombs is not easy. Albanese Confectionery Group, Inc. in Merrillville, Indiana, allows the public to go behind the scenes on a free factory tour — and you even get to try a gummi, along with their signature chocolate, once it’s over! Located less than an hour outside of Chicago, the factory store also sells gummy worms, nuts, and other special treats.
Photo: Courtesy of Albanese Confectionary Group.Clik here to view.
Iowa: Caramels AtOur Lady Of The Mississippi Abbey
At Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa, a group of nuns is known for producing some of the highest-quality caramels in the United States. These “Trappistine Creamy Caramels,” which come in vanilla and chocolate, are sold alongside homemade truffles, meltaways, and mints. The nuns work six days a week and produce around 70 tons of caramel a year.
Photo: Courtesy of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey.Clik here to view.
Kansas: Povitica AtStrawberry Hill In Merriam
While there are several German, Scandinavian, and Dutch foods that have become popular here in the United States, in Kansas there is one special, under-the-radar treat that is worth the drive: povitica. Pronounced po-vuh-tee-tsa, this sweet bread originated in Croatia and, when sliced, reveals thin, swirly layers stuffed with nuts, cinnamon, chocolate — whatever fits the bill. It’s made fresh daily at several locations, including Strawberry Hill in Merriam, Old Country Bakery in Lenexa, and MeMa’s Bakery in Kansas City. All three of them are within a 20-mile radius of each other, so make a day of it and do some serious research to see which one is best!
Photo: Courtesy of Strawberry Hill Povitica.Clik here to view.
Kentucky: Bourbon Candy At Rebecca Ruth Candy
When you’re in a state that produces 95% of bourbon for the entire world, it is only natural that it will infiltrate into the products of daily life. Rebecca Ruth Candy claims to be the inventor of bourbon-ball chocolate candies — and when you’ve been in operation for nearly 100 years, that’s hard to dispute. The on-site tour includes a glimpse at factory production and info on the life of Ruth Booe, the entrepreneur behind this sweet dynasty. The confections don't stop at bourbon, however — you can purchase rum balls, scotch balls, cognac balls, and Irish-coffee balls.
Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Ruth Candy.Clik here to view.
Louisiana: Beignets AtCafe Du Monde
The state doughnut in Louisiana is a pillowy piece of sweet fried perfection covered in powdered sugar and best enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee. The French are credited with bringing beignets to New Orleans back in the 18th century, and in 1862 the iconic Cafe Du Monde opened its first stand in the French Market. They are open 24 hours a day, and a plate of three will only set you back $3. Grab a seat and enjoy them while they are hot.
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Maine: Whoopie Pie AtFriars’ Bakehouse
This delectable sandwich-style treat of cake and cream has origins that have long been disputed by Mainers and Pennsylvanians alike; in 2011, Maine decided to take legal action and make the whoopie pie its official state treat. The Franciscan Brothers of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary in Bucksport have made whoopie pies a part of their business model in more ways than one. The brothers make and sell both the dessert and a beer of the same name at their restaurant, Friars’ Bakehouse. Take a growler with you when you go!
Photo: Courtey of Martin Cathrae.Clik here to view.
Maryland: Smith Island Cake AtSmith Island Baking Company
Nine, 10, 12 layers — who’s counting when they’re all good? The state cake of Maryland is a composition of a narrow layered cake and icing that originated on the island of the same name many generations ago. The number of layers can range from six to 12, depending on the recipe, but it is made with 10 at the Smith Island Baking Company, located in Criswell. While you are in store, pick up a tin of their fudge for the road — or the boat, rather, as you have to take a ferry to get there. If boats aren’t your thing, harborside restaurant Rusty Scupper in Baltimore also serves slices on their menu.
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Massachusetts: Boston Cream Pie AtOmni Parker House
Take a trip to the Omni Parker House, where the dessert itself was birthed some 160 years ago by French chef M. Sanizian. The cake — not pie, as the name denotes — is filled with a layer of custard and topped with chocolate. Though you can surely order just a slice, it’s worth having a sit-down for an idyllic New England meal. Not dressed for an elegant dinner? Have a seat in Parker’s Bar for a more scaled-down (but no less tasty) dining experience.
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Michigan: Pasties AtMuldoon’s Pasties
There’s nothing more convenient than a food that does it all — something that’s both sweet and salty, that fits well in the hand and is therefore transportable. If all this appeals to you, then the pasty (pronounced pass-tee), a portable meat pie that legend says came to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the 1800s by way of Cornish miners, is your type of treat. Though they are typically known as a savory snack, dessert pasties are also popular complements to a meal — and give you something to hold in your other hand. One of the most popular places to find this Yooper treat is at Muldoon’s Pasties in Munising. They serve both veggie and meat-filled pasties, as well as dessert pasties filled with apple and other fruits.
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Minnesota: Lefse AtNorsland Lefse Factory
This Norwegian flatbread is a Scandinavian specialty that is traditionally made from potatoes and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. It can also be filled with anything from fruit to Nutella. To see it laid out and rolled up in action, visit the Norsland Lefse Factory in Rushford, Minnesota, Monday through Saturday. Starting at 7 a.m., you can press your face to the glass as it is rolled, formed, and baked right before your eyes. Pick up a few bags to go in the adjoining bakery, as well as several choice cookies, donuts, and brownies.
Photo: Courtesy of Norsland Lefse.Clik here to view.
Mississippi: Cake, Cake, Cake AtSugaree's Bakery
Less than a half hour away from Elvis Presley’s birthplace of Tupelo, Sugaree's Bakery in New Albany has every type of Southern indigenous cake there is to be found: hummingbird cake, pound cake, caramel cake, coconut cake. But don’t stop there — there are lemon bars, sweet-potato pie, decorated cookies, and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Sugaree Bakery.Clik here to view.
Missouri: Custard AtTed Drewes Frozen Custard
This special frozen treat is separated from the pack of frozen dairy desserts by the addition of egg yolk, making for that smooth, rich texture you can’t find in soft-serve or a cone of ice cream (which is the official state dessert). In St. Louis, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard sits right on Route 66 — yes, THAT Route 66 — and during the spring and summer months the lines are long but move fast in order for customers to get their hands on a “concrete,” the nickname for a serving of the dessert. Mix in anything from strawberries to Oreo bits, or get a banana split or ice cream sandwich instead. On warm nights, diners prop up next to cars, snag a precious seat on the bench, or simply stand and chat as their spoons scrape the sides of their containers for every last drop.
Photo: Courtesy of Ted Drewe’s Frozen Custard.Clik here to view.
Montana: Huckleberry-Filled Pastries AtPolebridge Mercantile
Once deep summer hits in the state of Montana, that means it’s time for one thing: huckleberry harvesting. “Purple gold” grows wild and plentiful in the northern Rockies, and it’s not uncommon for both locals and tourists to take their buckets and go foraging. Though there is a chance that one might meet a grizzly bear along the way, those who prove victorious love to use the berry in everything from preserves to pound cake. At Polebridge Mercantile in northwest Montana, the bakery is known for turning out several huckleberry-filled sweets, including macaroons, turnovers, bearclaws, and pies.
Photo: Courtesy of Polebridge Mercantile.Clik here to view.
Nebraska: Popcorn At HR Poppin’ Snacks
As Nebraska is known as the Cornhusker State, it’s only fitting to munch on a bag or two of popcorn while making your way through. At HR Poppin’ Snacks in Gibbon, flavors including caramel apple, orange soda, butter pecan, and even wine can be made by the company. You can stop in and ask for a tour, try a few kernels, and buy a fresh bag to go. They’ve featured more than 125 flavors to date, so you are bound to find something to satisfy our sweet tooth.
Photo: Courtesy of Poppin’ Snacks.Clik here to view.
Nevada: Farm-Fresh Produce & Baked Goods AtLattin Farms
While the heat of summer is perfect for finding something cool to lick, the weather is also conducive to the growth of melons — honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe, to be specific. At Lattin Farms in Fallon, NV (just an hour outside of Reno), visitors can pick their own melons, along with several other fruits and vegetables grown on the land. After you’ve gotten a crisp taste of the naturally sweet food, take a walk through one of the farm’s corn mazes, which they redesign every year. If you would like something a bit sweeter to take back on the road, pick up some homemade cookies, cake pops, and muffins at Leanza’s Bakery, located within the farm.
Photo: Via @lattinfarms.Clik here to view.
New Hampshire: Purple Velvet Cake AtFrederick’s Pastries
Cake lovers know the red velvet cake — traditionally made with cocoa and topped with cream-cheese frosting — is a delectable treat. But inside Frederick’s Pastries, they have thrown that whole red concept out of the window with their trademarked Purple Velvet Cake. It’s a flavor so popular that the bakery makes it as a cupcake, a torte, a cheesecake cup, and a whoopie pie (but call ahead to place an order for that one).
Photo: Courtesy of Frederick’s Pastries.Clik here to view.
New Jersey: Saltwater Taffy AtJames Candy Company
While some might argue that Snooki is the most popular name known outside of the Jersey Shore, the one that has staying power is the James Candy Company, founded and headquartered in New Jersey. They have been producing saltwater taffy for more than 100 years — that signature chewy, gum-like confection that is a fixture on boardwalks around the world. The candy earned its place in pop-culture history in 2003, when Carrie Bradshaw munched on a few pieces while contemplating the deflation of her girls’ weekend in Atlantic City. Grab a box, along with some of their signature macaroons and fudge, take a stroll, and hum the SATC theme song while contemplating what it’s really all about as you stare into the distance.
Photo: Courtesy of James Candy Company.Clik here to view.
New Mexico: Biscochito AtGolden Crown Panaderia
The state cookie of New Mexico is traditionally made with anise and butter and dipped in cinnamon and sugar. It’s a special treat served at festive times like Christmas, weddings, and baptisms. At Golden Crown Panaderia in Albuquerque, you can find not only this cookie (in five different versions, including sugar-free) but also empanadas, marranitos (Mexican pig-shaped cookies), and the traditional powdered-sugar-covered New Mexico Wedding Cookie.
Photo: Courtesy of Ian Westcott.Clik here to view.
New York: Grape Pie AtMonica’s Pies
While you can cast a net and hit nearly every taste and type of dessert in New York City, you’re going to need to head upstate to get a taste of a true state speciality. Grape pie is a dessert whose rise to fame can be traced back to Irene Bouchard of Naples, New York, the “Grape Pie Queen ” who created a recipe for it back in the '60s. Traditionally made with Concord grapes, which are harvested in early fall, the pie can be found year-round at local bakery Monica’s Pies.
Photo: Courtesy of Monica’s Pies.Clik here to view.
North Carolina: Chocolate AtVideri Chocolate Factory
Wine and chocolate — it sounds like a delicacy one would have to wait to enjoy at the end of the day, or at a cocktail party. But at Videri Chocolate Factory in Raleigh, North Carolina, the back patio of the facility is BYOB — the perfect place to nibble on a square of their specially made in-house goods. The company, which operates on fair trade and organic-sourcing principles, allows visitors to take a guided tour of all the stages of their production, from roasting the beans to putting them in their packaging.
Photo: Courtesy of Videri Chocolate Factory.Clik here to view.
North And South Dakota: Kuchen AtGrandma’s Kuchen
It’s a delicacy that looks like a cross between a Dutch baby pancake and a cheesecake. However, when traditionally made, kuchen has a filling and topping more akin to a sugary pie, and depending on whichever small-town bakery you buy it from, it can be filled with berries or taste more like a crumbly cake. Kuchen, a German dessert, was brought to South Dakota in the 1880s and became the official state dessert in 2000. Delmont, a town in southeast South Dakota, has held an annual kuchen festival every year since 1997. If you want to get a taste before the September festival, head to Grandma’s Kuchen, which is actually located in North Dakota, near its southern border with South Dakota. In 2014, they sold more than 54,000 — so it’s clear they know their kuchen.
Photo: Courtesy of Grandmas Kuchen.Clik here to view.
Ohio: Killer Brownies At Dorothy Lane Market
If one can actually die by chocolate, then the Killer Brownie at Dorothy Lane Market might be the product that will put you there. These heavy-duty chocolate bombs pride themselves on weighing nearly ⅓ of a pound and come in flavors like peanut butter, salted caramel, and German chocolate.
Photo: Courtesy of Dorothy Lane Market.Clik here to view.
Oklahoma: Ice Cream At Braum’s Ice Cream
Farm-to-table might be a newly popular concept, but at Braum’s Ice Cream in Tuttle, Oklahoma, it’s something they’ve been doing for over four decades. The original company was founded in Kansas in the 1930s, but has been based in Oklahoma since the '70s. All milk for the ice cream comes from the company’s dairy cows that live right on the farm, and is then transformed into flavors like chocolate frosted cupcake, butter brickle, and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Call ahead to schedule a free factory tour, available Monday through Friday (which also includes a free ice cream sample), and afterward you can stop for breakfast or lunch at one of the many Braum’s Ice Cream and Burger Restaurants across the region.
Photo: Courtesy of Rolling Okie.Clik here to view.
Oregon:Marionberry Pie At Willamette Valley Pie Company
Who doesn’t remember the season-three premiere episode of Portlandia titled “Brunch Village,” where lines were wrapping around the block for people to get a hold of a stack of marionberry pancakes? While the show is a work of hilarious fiction, the marionberry is a special food in Oregon, a blackberry hybrid that was cultivated in the Willamette Valley in the 1950s. At the Willamette Valley Pie Company, you can buy a slice of their ever-popular marionberry pie, as well as several other fruit pies they have in stock. If you’d like to try your hand at making your own fruit pie, you can pick your own berries on site during the summer months and take them back with you.
Photo: Zigzag Mountain Art/Alamy.Clik here to view.
Pennsylvania: Custom Candy Bar At Hershey's Chocolate World
Mr. Goodbar. Krackel. Hershey's Kisses. Twizzlers. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. To many, these names are more than just their favorite candies. They’re the ones you hunt for when you need that sugar fix at 3 p.m., the ones you eat, savor, and then hide the rest of for later. The ones you would squeal for when you saw them dropped inside your trick-or-treat bag every year. Travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania, a.k.a. “Mecca,” to receive a full-on history lesson in the names and origins of your favorite candies. Take a free walking tour of the original chocolate factory, which includes free samples (duh). If you’re willing to spend a few dollars, you can pay for a chocolate-tasting experience, a trolley tour around the city, or even create your own candy bar.
Photo: Janice Hazeldine/Alamy.Clik here to view.
Rhode Island: Doughboys AtIggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House
What is it about fried, sweet dough that makes it so appealing? Is it the crisp yet soft taste? Is it the portability? Is it the fact that it can be remade into multiple delicacies — doughnuts, beignets, éclairs — and taste both wonderfully comforting and like nothing else you’ve ever had? The award-winning Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House, located in Warwick, is known for producing doughboys, a treat so titillating it has been described as “a doughy yummy square doughnut churro.” That’s a whole lot of sensory overload.
Photo: Stan Tess/Alamy.Clik here to view.
South Carolina: Goat Cheese Fudge AtSplit Creek Farm
It’s almost a given — if you drive to any small town or tourist area, you’re going to encounter a fudge shop. Which is great, because who doesn’t love fudge? But as traditional fudge is made with cow's milk, it’s refreshing to visit Split Creek Farm in Anderson, South Carolina, where you can pick up a wedge of their Goat Milk Fudge. You can nibble on it with nuts, without nuts, or with peanut butter, and you can also get ahead on your holiday shopping by picking up some of their custom soaps and lotions (they also make milk and cheese). Call ahead to schedule a tour.
Photo: Courtesy of Split Creek Farm.Clik here to view.
Tennessee: Moon Pie At Moonpie General Store
If you thought that the union of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows was one that could only be enjoyed while around a campfire, then you have never had a moon pie. This Southern speciality has been produced in Chattanooga for nearly 100 years. Hit up the Moonpie General Store to try it in salted caramel, banana, vanilla, and strawberry flavors. While the treat might make you long for a coffee or glass of milk, it’s a common tradition to pair the pie with an RC Cola, a soft drink that originated in Georgia.
Photo: Courtesy of MoonPie.Clik here to view.
Texas: Pecan Pie AtThree Brothers Bakery
The state dessert of Texas is one that can be found in many iterations across the state — from grocery stores to gourmet bakeries and, if you’re lucky, your family kitchen. But to find “the best” takes work. At Three Brothers Bakery in Houston, their award-winning pecan pie can be purchased right alongside signature cakes, cookies, gingerbread, and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Three Brothers Bakery.Clik here to view.
Utah: Ice Cream At Aggie Ice Cream
In the department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science at Utah State University, the concept of hands-on learning is taken one step further with their on-site creamery. Aggie Ice Cream functions as both an ice cream parlor and a facility for students and staff to make and sell their product. The shop produces 26 flavors that can be shipped worldwide, but is known for their signature mint, Oreo, and white chocolate Aggie Blue Mint. You can also call ahead to schedule a tour, which includes your own half-pint cup of ice cream to enjoy.
Photo: Courtesy of Joey Day.Clik here to view.
Vermont: Ice Cream At The Ben & Jerry's Factory
It’s no secret that one of the most popular ice cream chains in the world originated right in Waterbury, Vermont. Take the half-hour tour of the facility, which includes a free sample of the flavor of the day, and grab a scoop of your favorite flavor to go.
Photo: Courtesy of Tim Regan.Clik here to view.
Virginia: Lemon & Blueberry Moonshine Cake At Red Truck Rural Bakery
At the Red Truck Rural Bakery in Virginia, you can hit all the marks on the food scale: They’ve got a flourless chocolate truffle cake that’s gluten-free; a granola perfect for a hike or for your morning yogurt; or, if you’d like a little tipple, there’s the Lemon and Blueberry Moonshine Cake (made with Virginia moonshine, of course). They also serve plenty of pastries and sandwiches to grab for breakfast and lunch. Make sure to also pick up a slice of a pecan pie — the president had it and was pretty impressed.
Photo: Douglas Graham/Getty Images.Clik here to view.
Washington: Aplets and Cotlets At Liberty Orchards
Aplets and Cotlets — no, it’s not some new artisanal body product only found on Etsy. Rather, they’re the names of two fruit candies made from apples and apricots, respectively, that have been produced by this Cashmere, Washington-based company since 1920. Blended with walnuts and covered in powdered sugar, these special confections are cut and packaged daily at the company’s factory, along with chocolates, fruit bars, and more. Take a tour of the facility and try some free samples. At nearby Rocky Reach Dam, you can admire the beauty of nature and learn about the life and culture of the late 1800s.
Photo: Courtesy of Liberty Orchards.Clik here to view.
West Virginia: Hot Dogs AtSpring Hill Pastry Shop
Whoever said that hot dogs were only meant to be eaten fresh off the grill or boiled on the stove has never had the opportunity to sink their teeth into a freshly baked “hot dog” from Spring Hill Pastry Shop in South Charleston. In business for nearly seven decades, the bakery is known for its split, cream-filled, chocolate-drizzled, éclair-style creations that would make a Ball Park frank reconsider its career.
Photo: Via @halfmoon87.Clik here to view.
Wisconsin: Kringle AtO&H Danish Bakery
Wisconsin’s state pastry is a flaky, iced oval pastry typically filled with fruit or nuts that, upon first glance, might remind you of a Toaster Strudel. O&H Danish Bakery in Racine features their award-winning kringle recipe in every flavor, from apple to birthday cake. Grab your sweet pastry and make it a day in the sand five miles over at Racine North Beach.
Photo: Getty Images.Clik here to view.
Wyoming: Ice Cream At Moo’s Ice Cream
In the breathtaking, picturesque, ski-sloped town of Jackson Hole, you can have your pick of whatever classic sweet treat you desire from a number of local restaurants and bakeries, but if you find yourself stumped between the Buzz Bomb (espresso-filled) and the Zonker Stout (a malted flavor from Jackson Hole Brew Pub) ice creams, then you must be at Moo’s. There’s no telling what flavor out of the hundreds that have been created will be in stock, but they only scoop 24 flavors at a time. They also have several sorbets and fruit flavors, from strawberry to wild huckleberry.
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