11 heavenly spots to find FORKSful of stellar sweet treats

You’ve heard the saying “sweets for the sweet”. Well, Greater Grand Forks offers our sweet visitors and residents lots of options to deliciously appease their sugar cravings. Between both Forks, there are plentiful places dishing out scrumptious desserts and while hard to narrow it down, here are my top spots to get a sugar rush.

BERNIE'S

If you’re searching for the most fabulous freshly baked goods in town, owner, chef and Food Network star Molly Yeh sprinkles everything she makes with deliciousness. While Molly puts her own creative culinary spin on a variety of classic Midwest dishes, baking is her first love. Fan favorites include the Potato Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cardamom Bun, Pistachio Rose Muffin, Frosted Almond Cookie Bar and the flakiest Croissant to be found this side of France.

BerniesEastGrandForks.com

BULLY BREW COFFEE

This Grand Forks original is the only coffeehouse in town that roasts their own beans. Cowboy and Mocha Java are my two favorite blends when getting my beans to go. When it comes to Bully Brew’s freshly made java creations, I prefer the Caramel Macchiato or White Chocolate Mocha. Both just so happen to pair perfectly with an old fashioned ooey-gooey Caramel Roll still warm from the oven. Go ahead and top it off with a little pat of butter…the friendly baristas at Bully Brew promise never to tell.

BullyBrewCoffeeHouse.com

MIDTOWN MARKETPLACE

Midtown Marketplace is a collaborative market that supports a variety of locally based businesses. While they offer a wide range of products, my favorite vendors are the ones offering tasty treats. Far Out Nuts is the place to grab some of those addictive Bavarian Almonds that always lure you in at UND hockey and football games. The creamed honey at Knight’s Honey Farm is un’bee’lieavably good. When it comes to Cinnamon Swirl Beer Bread, the mix from Craveable Kitchen will make everyone think you’re the next Molly Yeh.

MidtownMarketplaceGF.com

INSOMNIA COOKIES

Fantasizing about delectable baked goods keeping you up at night? Then head to Downtown Forks and make a stop at Insomnia Cookies! Their sweet staff will happily box up an assortment of warm, fresh cookies and brookies (aka brownies) just for you. They also offer a variety of ice cream flavors, all of which make for one creamylicious cookie sandwich filling. Insomnia is open Sunday-Wednesday until 1 AM and Thursday-Saturday until 3 AM.

InsomniaCookies.com

DHI SWEET STREET

DHI Sweet Street is a full-service hometown bakery providing the individuals they support, through Development Homes Incorporated (DHI) and community partners, with amazing job opportunities. Just some of the delightful bites found there include caramel rolls, turnovers, muffins, cookies, cupcakes and arguably the most delectable donuts in town. I highly recommend both the Maple Fried Cinnamon Roll and Sour Cream Donut…a half dozen of each, please!

DHISweetStreet.com

TEA & CREPE CAFE

No teasing, the fresh made stuffed crepes, Thai stir-fried ice cream and bubble tea at Tea & Crepe Café are all out of this world! But if I had to choose just a few favorites, they would be the Passion Fruit Milk Tea, Mango Tango Ice Cream Roll and a Chocolate Nutella Crepe so yummy, you’ll go “bananas” over it!

TeaandCrepe.com

HUGO’S FAMILY MARKETPLACE

Hugo’s is far more than just your average grocery store. With several locations around Greater Grand Forks, the desserts found there are some of the tastiest anywhere. When it comes to the best birthday treat around, Hugo’s literally takes (and bakes) the cake! Be sure to order at least a day or two in advance, if you’d like to have it personalized. Their cake decorators are topnotch and always create beautiful works of edible art. Other specialties include donuts, muffins, pies, plus the largest selection of brownies and bars in town.

GoHugos.com

CRUMBL COOKIES

Like big cookies and you cannot lie? Then Crumbl is your jam! Their hearty circular creations come in a variety of flavors. While the selection is ever-changing, it’s consistently delicious. Just some of my favorites have been the Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunk, Lemon Cheesecake, Red Velvet, Chocolate Mint, Tres Leches and Mallow Cream rich with white chocolate drops, vanilla marshmallow frosting and colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows sprinkled on top. However, The Original Pink Sugar is always and forever the GOAT. This moist almond sugar cookie is topped with a perfect pink swoop of real almond frosting.

CrumblCookies.com

BOARD ROOM

Grab your besties, then hop aboard and take flight to GFK! At the Board Room, with two Grand Forks locations, 21+ patrons can partake in an assortment of wine and mimosa flights which will lift you up, while everyone can enjoy nonalcoholic ones that bring you back down for a safe landing. They also feature the biggest and best charcuterie boards in town. My preferred order right now is a Hot Chocolate Flight paired with The Cookie Monster Board featuring three chocolate chip cookies, each topped with a different combo: banana, peanut butter & caramel, whipped cream & chocolate sauce, and sprinkles & whipped cream. It is most definitely sweet tooth approved!

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SOMETHING SWEET

Owner Megan Werven believes in the value of homemade, crafted, quality baked goods. This talented baker likes to keep things simple, emphasizing taste over flash. She uses locally grown, fresh ingredients (as much as possible) made into traditional recipes that taste amazing. Megan also tries to support other small, local businesses. In addition to buying right off the website, you can nab her Something Sweet treats at the Farmer's Market, every Saturday, from mid-June through September. Just some of Megan’s simply delicious creations include butter croissants, banana bread, specialty cupcakes, sweet rolls, scones, cookies and cheesecake.

SomethingSweetGF.com

PANERA

While Panera is probably best known for serving up a variety of tasty breakfast and lunch sandwiches, their topnotch bakery creations are available from open to close. A freshly toasted Cinnamon Crunch Bagel and cup of Panera French Roast is how I like to wake up on the weekends. When taking it to go, ask their friendly staff to box you up a Baked Goods Feast that includes an almond pastry, cinnamon roll, orange scone, chocolate croissant and two blueberry muffins.

PaneraBread.com

For more information on these and all our uniquely grand spots to devour simply delicious desserts, go to VisitGrandForks.com. We also invite you to follow Visit Greater Grand Forks on Facebook and Instagram.