October 2, 2023
If you have a sweet tooth that can’t get enough, you’re in luck. You’ll find no shortage of sugary confections in Cabarrus. Whether you’re visiting an ice cream store or a charming bakery, your senses will be delighted by the colorful sights, rich aromas and indulgent flavors at these five local favorites and beyond.
The Bakery at Mount Pleasant
Who says cake is only for dessert after dinner? At popular local spot The Bakery at Mount Pleasant, you can have your cake and eat it, too. Choose from strawberry pound cake, chocolate cake slathered with mocha icing, watermelon cookie cake and a local crowd-pleaser, carrot cake with a rich buttercream frosting. You’ll also be tempted by the selection of cupcakes, cream horns, butter bars and a slew of milkshake flavors. But save room for special desserts in Mt. Pleasant — available until they sell out — like mint chocolate chip brownie bars and Cinnamon Toast Crunch bars. The Bakery also shares space with a coffee shop offering homemade pastries and breakfast sandwiches.
Chocolatier Barrucand
You might be in charming Historic Downtown Concord, but when you set foot inside Chocolatier Barrucand, you’ll feel as though you’ve been whisked away to Europe. That’s because this chef-run patisserie evokes the spirit (and tastes) of owner Jean Luc Barrucand’s home of Lyons, France. The selection changes daily and might feature light-as-air macarons, apricot meringue, fluffy cheesecakes and, of course, chocolates, from caramel-filled to truffles. And while this is a prime spot for dessert in Concord, don’t miss Chef Barrucand’s selection of savory treats, too. The store is stocked with local meats and cheeses, plus lunch sandwiches served on homemade croissants and baguettes.
Frozen Kups
Frozen Kups isn’t your run-of-the-mill yogurt shop. This family-friendly destination goes beyond yogurt to serve up all manner of icy-cold treats: gelato, Italian ice, sorbet, even custard. With two dozen flavors on the roster, plus nearly 10 fresh fruits and 30 toppings to adorn your dessert, you could visit every day for a month and never get the same thing twice. Must-try flavors include sea salt caramel pretzel, raspberry mousse cake, orange creamsicle and traditional vanilla bean. For something on the go, order a specialty shake: Strawberry Delight, Frozen Cookie or Chocolate Mud.
James’ Sweet Spot
Remember Valomilk Cups? How about Abba-Zaba or Mars Bar? Maybe you have happy memories of chomping on Bazooka Bubblegum or Big League Chew? You’ll find all these throwback sweet treats and more at James’ Sweet Spot. It’s a veritable candy playground, not unlike Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, where you can peruse movie theater snacks (Milk Duds, Junior Mints), chocolates (Toblerone, Lindt), licorice (Red Vines, Wiley Wallaby), Hershey Bars, M&Ms, saltwater taffy, sour candies and vintage-brand sodas. You can also purchase puzzles or board games like Clue, Operation and The Game of Life.
While in Downtown Kannapolis, don’t miss other local favorites for sweets including My Sister’s Place Ice Cream & Fudge and Decadence Popcorn.
The Sundae Shop
At The Sundae Shop, come for a cheeseburger, stay for the famous hot fudge sundaes. For nearly 50 years, this walk-up joint has been pleasing palates with a simple menu of hot dogs, burgers, fries, shakes, floats and banana splits. Ice cream flavors stick to the tried and true — chocolate, vanilla, strawberry — and toppings keep it classic with nuts, whipped cream and cherries. In the signature style of an old-school grill, guests order at a window, wait for their number to be called and then find an umbrella-clad picnic table to enjoy their meal.
Dinner Before Dessert
These are just a few of the sweet spots throughout Cabarrus County. Find even more options and enjoy Cabarrus County’s stellar lineup of lunch and dinner restaurants before you indulge your sweet tooth. Check out our full list of local places to eat.
