The best bakeries & sweet shops in Hillsboro

Whether your week needs a little cherry-on-top moment or a full-on cone therapy session, Winking Owl Creations is the local ice cream shop that keeps Hillsboro happily sugared. Swing by for classic, no-fuss scoops that taste like summer and small-town comfort, served with the kind of neighborly vibe you actually feel.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 11, 2026

DeSoto Donuts keeps De Soto happily sugared with classic rings and other baked treats that tend to vanish fast. Pick up a box for the office or treat yourself, then act surprised when there are no leftovers.

From the De Soto newsletter, October 7, 2026

When snack duty calls, Philly Pretzel Factory in Crystal City turns out hand-twisted, fresh-baked Philadelphia-style pretzels, bite-size rivets, and cheesy pretzel dogs with a lineup of dips worth the trip. Feeding a crew? Party trays and the Rivet Bucket keep game night handled.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 24, 2026

With over 100 snoball flavors and over 25 custard toppings, S&J Snoball Shop nails that finely shaved snow texture locals obsess over. Family owned since 1989 with five Jefferson County spots, including one open all year, it’s the low-stress way to cool off after work, games, or chores.

From the De Soto newsletter, October 15, 2026

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

Sometimes you just want the classics… and Donut Drive In nails it with unpretentious, old-fashioned donuts, eclairs, and other baked treats that taste like Saturday mornings should. Pro tip for early meetings or late cravings, you can pre-order online and keep the dozen peace treaty intact.

From the St. Louis newsletter, October 11, 2026

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

For over 30 years, Maplewood standby Mr Wizard's Frozen Custard and Yogurt has specialized in soft serve frozen custard and frozen yogurt.

From the University City newsletter, September 15, 2026

Cravings Gourmet Desserts has been turning out wedding-caliber cakes, gourmet cookies, and other elegant sweets for over 40 years, all crafted with top-shelf ingredients. James Beard Award winner Tim Brennan leads the charge, so when you need a celebration dessert that actually wows, this is your spot.

From the Hillsboro newsletter, October 18, 2026

Van Hoesen House of Cheesecakes turns St. Louis into cheesecake country with handcrafted, baked flavors like Cinnamon Roll, Key Lime, and Coffeehouse Cappuccino, plus gluten free and seasonal hits like Harvest Peach. Readers named it a Top 5 Best Dessert in 2025 and 2026.

From the St. Louis newsletter, October 18, 2026

Bello's Bakery & Pastries is the kind of traditional, no-frills spot locals love, turning out sheet cakes, pies, European pastries, and fresh breads and rolls with quality ingredients and original recipes.

From the St. Louis County newsletter, October 19, 2026

Independent joint behind an unassuming storefront offering a range of old-school & inventive donuts.

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

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

From morning bagels to gooey butter cake, Schnucks Bakery cranks out over 200 fresh-made items daily, plus custom cakes you can order ahead when the group text finally agrees on a plan. Swing by for breads, cookies and cupcakes with a freshness guarantee that keeps your week sweet.

From the University City newsletter, September 30, 2026

Chain scooping creative flavors of ice cream & frozen yogurt made from local ingredients.

Popular bakery known for fresh donuts and apple fritters.

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

When a craving hits, Clementine's Naughty & Nice Ice Cream nails it with St. Louis swagger... think the beloved Gooey Butter Cake, plus rotating boozy, vegan, and dairy-free flavors.

From the St. Louis newsletter, September 16, 2026

Treat yourself to Taiwanese shaved ice and bubble tea, with rotating, seasonally inspired flavors like pumpkin cheesecake, lemon green tea, and honey lime. Ice Cave Shaved Ice also cranks out fresh popsicles and wheel cakes, plus milk or water bases so everyone can find their chill.

From the University City newsletter, September 3, 2026

Central West End's Ice Cave & Bubblecup Tea Zone does Taiwanese shaved ice and bubble tea right, from seasonal flavors like pumpkin cheesecake or lemon green tea to playful toppings, plus milk or water bases. Bonus curiosity: handmade popsicles and wheel cakes if you want something to munch.

From the University City newsletter, September 26, 2026

Patisserie Svoi does custom cakes and polished European classics that are big on flavor, not just looks. Order mousse cakes, macarons, Napoleon, even their Ukrainian honey cake, and pick your flavors. Perfect when a birthday or wedding dessert needs to steal the spotlight.

From the University City newsletter, September 10, 2026

Made with love, real ingredients, Hot Box Cookies keeps St. Louis sugar-happy with fresh-baked classics, hometown-favorite twists, and cool treats when the weather’s doing the most. They ship nationwide, drop new flavors, and even help with fundraising, so your sweet tooth can do some local good.

From the St. Louis newsletter, October 14, 2026

Bridge Bread in the Loop is a nonprofit bakery turning fresh loaves and classic artisan bagels into restorative employment and housing assistance for neighbors without stable housing.

From the University City newsletter, September 23, 2026

St. Louis locals know Hank's Cheesecakes for homemade decadence in over 35 flavors that actually taste like the thing on the label, plus other rich desserts. Whether you're a purist or an adventurous fork, this long-running spot reliably fixes the sweet tooth situation.

From the St. Louis newsletter, October 8, 2026

When you want a low-key spot with great coffee, flaky pastries, and something warm for breakfast, Colleen's Cafe delivers. Everything’s made in-house with fresh ingredients and an easygoing vibe... plus that signature shortbread St.

From the St. Louis newsletter, October 1, 2026

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

Longtime chain serving a variety of donut flavors & shapes, plus coffee & frozen drinks.

Whether you're hunting for jewel-box macarons or a showstopper celebration cake, La Pâtisserie Chouquette nails that chic, butter-forward French magic. Think artful decorated cakes, wedding and custom creations for big days, and a weekly afternoon tea that makes slowing down feel downright necessary.

From the St. Louis newsletter, September 22, 2026

Traditional bakery offering Italian sweets & other European desserts, from cannoli to napoleons.

Looking for a sweet win this week, not another meh sheet cake? Cake House Design turns out wedding cakes, plus cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pies and more, so your birthday, office spread or porch hang gets upgraded with something pretty and proudly St. Louis.

From the St. Louis newsletter, August 26, 2026

SweetArt Bakeshop + Café turns out 100% plant-based sweets and savory eats, from tender cinnamon rolls in more than 32 flavors to satisfying lunch and Sunday brunch. With its colorful, art-filled spirit and gluten-free options, it’s a sweet spot to try whether you eat vegan or just appreciate a very good roll.

From the St. Louis newsletter, October 28, 2026

Whisk: a Sustainable Bakeshop turns local, in-season ingredients into St. Louis comfort hits like gooey butter pie, cosmic brownies and those dangerously good bagel bombs. Lots of vegan and gluten-free options, plus Mother Tongue Coffee, all wrapped in their earth-friendly, compost-happy ethos on Cherokee Street.

From the St. Louis newsletter, September 2, 2026

Established, mom-&-pop bakeshop featuring a range of breads, pastries, cakes, pies & other desserts.

Sugaree Baking Company is cranking out from-scratch goodies with real, top-tier ingredients... think rotating monthly pies, joyful ice cream sandwiches, and custom cakes and cookies that actually taste as good as they look. Order ahead for weekend pickup, then make it your treat this week.

From the St. Louis newsletter, August 17, 2026

Unfussy bake shop turning out Mexican desserts & treats from tamales to tres leches cake.

Retailer of artisan chocolates made with fair-trade cocoa & sugar, sold by the piece or box.