The best bakeries & sweet shops in Polk County

“Sibling Rivalry Granola Company is the same beloved granola from the Big Sky Bread Company (Iowa) team, just with a new name and the same granola recipe. Handmade right here in Iowa with fresh, healthy ingredients, it nails weekday breakfasts or snacky afternoons, so grab a bag this week... pour, crunch, carry on.”

From the Urbandale newsletter, October 14, 2026

“Ice cream parlor chain known for its many ice cream flavors & sundaes, plus cakes, drinks & other treats.”

“Stalwart dinerlike chain serving signature ground-beef sandwiches, plus salads, sides & shakes.”

“Craving a box that looks as good as it tastes? Charstie's Cookies turns your ideas into homemade, professionally packaged treats for birthdays, client thank-yous, or just because you survived another Iowa week... a Des Moines customer says they taste like home and arrive gift-ready.”

From the Ankeny newsletter, September 3, 2026

“Bakery chain outlet stocking sweet treats for any occasion, including custom cakes.”

“Self-serve chain with unusual frozen yogurt flavors, plus a variety of toppings.”

“Kid-friendly chain known for baked goods, breakfasts & other standards in dinerlike digs.”

“The Outside Scoop churns homemade, from-scratch ice cream in small batches, with fun flavors that swing from classics to wildcards like goat cheese and bacon, plus proper banana splits. Perfect for an Ankeny sweet fix, and you can order for pickup, get local delivery, or even book their truck for your next bash.”

From the Ankeny newsletter, September 1, 2026

“If your dessert indecision is peaking, Home Slice Handmade Pies in nearby Bondurant does handmade, from-scratch pies only, including their famous Pie Flights of mini pies so you can sample weekly flavors, then grab a whole pie for later, all built on a flaky, traditional lard crust.”

From the Ankeny newsletter, September 6, 2026

“Black Cat Ice Cream Downtown churns playful, housemade flavors using grass-fed dairy and locally sourced ingredients, and you can enjoy them on the patio. Menus rotate often, so it's the kind of spot you pop into and inevitably find a new favorite.”

From the Des Moines newsletter, September 8, 2026

“Since 1990, Dairy Zone has been an East Side tradition for ice cream and comfort food made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. When the sweet tooth strikes this week, think malts, sundaes, and a no-nonsense burger and fries situation that hits the spot.”

From the Des Moines newsletter, October 11, 2026

“Because some weeks call for a pop-up sugar rush, Porch Swing Ice Cream is Central Iowa’s charming mobile ice cream shop that shows up for public or private events. Book them for your block party, work picnic, or team celebration... instant smiles, zero dishes, and all the sweet nostalgia.”

From the Urbandale newsletter, August 29, 2026

“Black Cat Ice Cream Valley Junction churns handcrafted, small-batch ice cream with grass-fed dairy and ingredients from local producers, so the flavors hit different in the best way. Expect inventive, rotating combos that keep you just sampling one more... and yes, even a tough old cat would approve.”

From the Urbandale newsletter, September 7, 2026

“Main Street Cafe & Bakery keeps it easy with fresh bakery goods, breakfast favorites, and soups and sandwiches that hit the spot. If you need to feed a crew this week with no fuss, their catering lineup covers sandwiches, salads, soups, pastas and party trays, or just order online and relax.”

From the Ames newsletter, August 19, 2026

“Beaverdale Confections is a scratch confectioner right here in Beaverdale, turning cane sugar, real butter and imported Belgian chocolate into truffles, toffee, fudge, caramels and those dangerously good house marshmallows. Swing by for a giftable box or a personal stash... we won’t judge your S'mores to Go situation.”

From the Des Moines newsletter, September 15, 2026

“Snookies Malt Shop is the family-owned Beaverdale institution turning soft serve vanilla, chocolate, and twist into malts, shakes, Arctic Blasts, floats, old-fashioned sodas, and simple cones, with rotating Dole soft serve for dairy-free friends. Perfect for an easy win after yard work or a neighborhood walk this week.”

From the Des Moines newsletter, September 22, 2026

“If your afternoon slump needs reinforcements, Cha Cha's Hiland Bakery answers with classic glazed and creative seasonal donuts, plus silky cheesecakes, homemade pies, and cookie fixations. Consider this your permission slip to grab something sweet that actually sparks joy before that next meeting.”

From the Ankeny newsletter, August 25, 2026

“Chocolate Storybook does handmade chocolates right, from classic truffles and silky caramels to hand-dipped caramel apples and even chocolate bacon. When you want a quick gift, their towers and custom logo pieces make you look wildly prepared, and the cotton candy flavors keep things fun.”

From the Urbandale newsletter, September 30, 2026

“Nan's Nummies is that cheerful West Des Moines bakery locals whisper about when cravings hit, with small-batch cookies, bars, brownies, candies and hand-dipped chocolates, a candy wall full of nostalgia, and sleeper favorites like the Salted Nut Roll, plus delivery to Urbandale when you can't break from errands.”

From the Urbandale newsletter, August 31, 2026

“Family-owned Big Sky Bread Iowa turns out loaves, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and their Sibling Rivalry Granola fresh daily in an old Urbandale firehouse. Grab it straight from the source, or snag their breads and granola at Hy-Vee, Fareway, and the DSM Downtown Farmers Market, because your toast deserves better.”

From the Urbandale newsletter, October 6, 2026

“Des Moines finally has croissants that crackle like they should, plus pistachio torsades, cookie croissants, and proper éclairs at Nadia's French Bakery. Swing by for a quiche or a tuna-avocado sandwich, grab a café au lait, and pretend your errands are along the Seine.”

From the Des Moines newsletter, August 26, 2026

“Let Them Eat Cake in Historic Valley Junction does single-serving cakes in classic and modern flavors, plus elegant wedding work, so you can treat yourself solo or plan the whole celebration.”

From the Urbandale newsletter, September 11, 2026

“La Mie Bakery turns mornings into small victories with sweets, crusty breads, and cafe staples like sandwiches and soups that actually taste like lunch. Feeding a crew this week? Their catering to go menu makes it simple, so plan a treat-yourself stop.”

From the Des Moines newsletter, October 5, 2026

“Bakery chain known for warm cookies, ice cream & late-night deliveries.”

“Vegan, allergy-friendly bakery specializing in custom cinnamon buns.”

“Luvcat Baking Co. is an alternative luxury micro bakery crafting decadent flavors, bespoke designs, and custom cakes, from Caramallow Brownies and Cherry Bomb Brownies to decorated sugar cookies and build-your-own samplers.”

From the Des Moines newsletter, September 29, 2026

“Part of a chain, this mall store sells chocolates and other sweets, plus gelato.”

“The Bake Shoppe has been baking from scratch for the Des Moines area since 2003, and their Barbara’s Original Champagne Cake is the kind of celebratory slice you start inventing reasons for.”

From the Urbandale newsletter, September 13, 2026

“Scenic Route Bakery is the East Village go-to for flaky pastries, Tugboat coffee pulled right, and a legit lunch when you realize granola bars aren't a meal. Swing by for espresso and sweets now, or order pastries and whole-bean coffee online to keep your week humming.”

From the Des Moines newsletter, October 12, 2026

“Chain confectionery selling gelato and coffee, as well as a large variety of chocolates.”

“Retailer offering premium chocolate & other confections, plus cocoa & gift baskets.”