The best bakeries & sweet shops in Lake County

“Franchise bakery specializing in handcrafted bundt cakes, plus curated gifts & party supplies.”

“Counter-serve bakery/cafe chain serving sandwiches, salads & more, known for its bread & free WiFi.”

“Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.”

“When dessert duty sneaks up, Jewel-Osco bakery in Mundelein has your back with custom cakes for birthdays, weddings, grads, and more, plus plenty of sweet treats. Order online for pickup or speedy delivery, then take the credit like you planned it all week.”

From the Wheeling newsletter, September 12, 2026

“Long-running chain serving signature breakfast items & a variety of coffee drinks.”

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

“Since 1987, Shirl's Drive-In Waukegan has been the 50’s-style hometown hang for soft-serve bliss, stacked sundaes, malts, burgers and sandwiches. Make it a post-game ritual at Shirl’s Lighthouse Mini-Golf, or keep it cozy with delivery on Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash.”

From the Waukegan newsletter, September 21, 2026

“Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.”

“Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.”

“Ice cream chain offering design-your-own creations hand-mixed on a granite slab, plus shakes & more.”

“When the paleta craving hits, La Michoacana Premium Grand Ave. delivers with fruit-packed pops, creamy nieves, legit mangonadas, and elotes that taste like summer. Fresas con crema, biónicos, and yogurt con fruta also show up big, so you can call it dessert, snack, or both.”

From the Waukegan newsletter, September 29, 2026

“Greg's Frozen Custard is that old-school walk-up spot locals swear by for thick, ridiculously creamy custard made fresh daily. Vanilla and chocolate are always on, but the rotating Flavor of the Day keeps things fun, with premium mix-ins and a nostalgia-soaked, space-age vibe perfect for post-dinner runs.”

From the Mundelein newsletter, September 7, 2026

“When birthdays, weddings, graduations, or baby showers sneak up, Jewel-Osco makes it easy with its Cake Shop to order personalized designs online, then tack on sweet treats from the bakery for pickup or delivery. Reliable, close by, and tasty enough that you’ll pretend you baked it yourself.”

From the Waukegan newsletter, October 6, 2026

“Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.”

“Whether you’re chasing a mangonada, creamy scoops, or fresas con crema, La Michoacana Premium - N Lewis, Waukegan hits the spot with bright flavors, fresh juices, and elote for a salty-sweet balance.”

From the Waukegan newsletter, October 12, 2026

“Whether you’re plotting a birthday, baby shower, or just want something that tastes like a celebration, Ingrid's Tasty Treats does heartfelt, homemade specialty cakes and pastries with premium ingredients and precision.”

From the Lake Geneva newsletter, September 8, 2026

“Long-running chain serving signature breakfast items & a variety of coffee drinks.”

“Whether the sweet tooth hits after soccer practice or you just want a no-fuss treat, Dockside Ice Cream and Deli scoops Cedar Crest’s premium flavors like Mint Mackinac Island Fudge and Mississippi Mud, piles on hot fudge, sprinkles, and fresh fruit, and also does smoothies, snow cones, sandwiches, and pizza.”

From the Waukegan newsletter, September 16, 2026

“Standby for soft-serve ice cream in a wide range of flavors, plus hot dogs, burgers & fries.”

“Supermarket chain, plus bakeries (with custom cakes) and deli departments.”

“Auntie Anne's is slinging hot-out-of-the-oven, butter-brushed soft pretzels in classic twists and bite-size nuggets, with sweet or salty options, a bunch of dips, and tart frozen Lemonades.”

From the Arlington Heights newsletter, September 7, 2026

“Counter-serve chain serving cinnamon rolls plus other baked goods & specialty frozen beverages.”

“Dirty Dough is baking super-stuffed gourmet cookies that ooze with fillings, plus cinnamon rolls, waffle bites, Dirty Drinks and shakes, and they drop new flavors monthly. When your Arlington Heights sweet tooth needs a quick win, this Buffalo Grove spot delivers joy by the bite, no crumbs left behind.”

From the Arlington Heights newsletter, August 26, 2026

“If your weekday needs a lift, Gurnee Donuts has fresh, no-fuss rings of joy that hit the spot, from old-school glazed to more creative specials. Grab a dozen for the office or just two for you, then enjoy that quiet moment before Waukegan wakes up.”

From the Kenosha newsletter, August 7, 2026

“The Frosted Baker whips butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla into hand-decorated cookies that genuinely taste as good as they look, perfect for birthdays, team parties, or just surviving a Monday. Go custom or pick a themed set, then claim credit at the party...”

From the Waukegan newsletter, October 3, 2026

“After Uniquely Sweet merged with Somethings Brewing, Somethings Brewing Chocolate Factory is rolling out handmade chocolates, candies and custom treats alongside a full scratch bakery, coffee bar, deli sandwiches and fresh salads.”

From the Waukegan newsletter, August 22, 2026

“Anderson's Candy Shop has been handcrafting caramel, fudge, toffee, truffles, creams and candy bars for over 100 years, and it tastes like it. Swing by for salted caramels, snappers and seasonal treats that make even a regular Tuesday feel like a holiday.”

From the Crystal Lake newsletter, August 19, 2026