Like much of the Phoenix food scene, the city’s baking community has transformed over the last decade. For years you’d either have to go out of your way to get high-end pastries, or settle for your local grocer’s options. Now, the valley is bursting with both savory and sweet bakeries so popular, often the goods sell out by noon.
While neighborhood panaderías that have stood the test of time remain, today they are now joined by bakeries from French-trained patissiers, James Beard award-winning bakers, and innovative “micro-bakery” owners. With that in mind, here’s where to source the best cupcakes, cookies, croissants, and conchas, in town, as well as the best sourdough boules, bagels, and tortillas.
Urban Cookies Bakeshop
Cookies are having a moment in the dessert world, and Urban Cookies Bakeshop blows all of the big chain brands out of the water. You can find your classics, like chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, but you can also find a twist on the Southwest-favorite cowboy cookie, complete with dark chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, pecans, oats, and kettle potato chips.
As if that weren’t enough, Urban Cookies Bakeshop also makes its signature Cupcake Wars competition-winning cupcake, the Brown Velvet. While this treat is a year-round legend, don’t sleep on the rotating seasonal flavors either. 8776 E. Shea Blvd. Suite 108, Scottsdale, and 2325 N. 7th St., Phoenix, urbancookies.com
Proof Bread
For over a decade, Proof Bread has been a Phoenix staple for sourdough. Everything in the display cases, on the shelves, and at the farmers’ market booths are made Harriet, the bakery’s beloved sourdough starter. Much of the techniques center around the old world-style dough, whether you snag a flaky, cinnamon roll-esque morning bun or a green olive boule. With each bite, taste that signature sourdough tang and find out why it’s such a wonderful place to visit. Multiple locations, proofbread.com
Creampuff
Don’t let the name fool you, Creampuff in Downtown Phoenix isn’t actually known for that eponymous dessert, it’s better known for doughnuts. Most of the doughnuts are either brioche style or what they call “layered,”which kind of tastes like a cross between a traditional yeasted donut and a cronut.
Not sure what to get? Opt for the best seller, the Churro Cheesecake doughnut. The tangy, creamy filling paired with the sweet cinnamon-sugar coating work as the perfect compliments to each other. 101 E. Buchanan St., Phoenix, creampuffdonuts.com
Noble Bread
Vying with Proof Bread for the title of Phoenix’s sourdough king, Noble Bread certainly holds its own. While Proof experiments a little more with its baked goods, Noble has committed itself to making the best traditional hearth-baked loaves around. Get yourself crusty country loaves, nutty nine-grain boules, and fluffy ciabatta rolls. 4525 N. 24th St., Phoenix, noblebread.com
Barrio Bagel & Slice
Started by James Beard Award-winning baker Don Guerra and partner Luke Anable, Barrio Bagel & Slice is a must-visit. As the name of the joint implies, bagels and focaccia pizza slices (and focaccia sandwiches) are the baked goods of choice here. Though, you really can’t go wrong with any of the options. Feeling savory? The verde focaccia pizza is delicious. Want something sweet instead? The classic cinnamon raisin bagel, with its chewy texture and sourdough funk, won’t disappoint. 689 N. Arizona Ave., Gilbert, barriobagelandslice.com
Benny Blanco Tortillas
Tucked away in Apache Junction, Benny Blanco Tortillas is one of the best tortillarías in the valley. They regularly make classic lard-based tortillas, as well as a vegan version with extra virgin olive oil. But if you feel like spicing things up, Benny Blanco Tortillas offers a fun specialty flavor each week, which in the past has included combinations like cacio e pepe and “Purple Rain” ube.
These tortillas can be a bit elusive at times, but you can consistently find them at the factory and storefront (only open on Thursdays) and at the Gilbert Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. 189 W. Apache Trail A109, Apache Junction, bennyblancotortillas.com
Hunnie Butter
While there are quite a few cupcake and cookie shops in greater Phoenix, the family-owned-and-operated Hunnie Butter utilizes the toasted magic of brown butter in its creations. This gives the treats a uniquely nutty flavor that you’ll find yourself craving days later. The peach cobbler pound cake and the caramel banana pudding are both local favorites that you’ll want to get in on. 4700 N. 12th St. Suite #122, Phoenix, hunniebutter.co
The Local Donut
If you’re hoping to snag a doughnut to go with your morning coffee, or even as a midday sweet treat, you can’t go wrong with a trip to The Local Donut. This Scottsdale bakery has nearly every type of doughnut imaginable, including cake doughnuts, yeast doughnuts, mochi doughnuts, and crullers. Though the shining star of the line up is the Chantilly Croissant doughnut, and you absolutely should grab one or two if it’s not sold out yet. 3213 Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, thelocaldonutshop.com
JL Patisserie
JL Patisserie skyrocketed into the social media fame stratosphere in 2025, and for good reason. This French-style bakery, owned by the Belgian-born, French-taught baker, Jenna Leurquin, makes incredibly flaky pastries of all kinds. Start with a savory quiche with its buttery, snap-able crust, and finish your meal with an indulgent pain au chocolat. Multiple locations, jlpatisserie.com
The Dinersaur
In an era of whimsy, nostalgia, and quirkiness, the Dinersaur is right at home. This small-batch bakery stocks its display case with desserts that will transport you back to childhood, but with a sophisticated twist. Savor the choco banana Breadosaurus (dark chocolate chip banana bread), sticky raspberry jam Linzers, and Corn Kripsie treats, just to start. Even better, quite a few of the Dinersaur’s goodies are dinosaur-shaped, making for a wonderfully zany experience. 1339 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, thedinersaur.com
Chaconne Patisserie
Ask a Phoenix baker about their favorite bakery in the valley, and there’s a good chance they’ll mention Chaconne Patisserie. Though not as well-known as The Local Donut or Proof, this European-style pastry shop is unquestionably delicious. Founded by James Beard-nominee Mark Chacón, Chaconne Patisserie blends the ever-elusive flakiness of a French croissant with seasonal flavors like tomato and thyme or date and banana. They can sell out of specific pastries early, so be sure to stop by in the morning if you can. Multiple locations, chaconnepatisserie.com
La Purisima Bakery
Phoenix isn’t just a hub for cupcakes, cookies, and croissants. You can find fantastic Mexican baked goods spread all throughout greater Phoenix, including at the beloved La Purisima Bakery. Opened in 1983, for decades this family-owned spot has been serving up Latin American favorites such as its mouthwatering conchas. If you like, you can also pick up savory goods like tortillas and empanadas. Multiple locations, purisimabakery.com
Essence Bakery Cafe
Essence Bakery Cafe is considered the undisputed gold standard of macarons in Phoenix. Chef Eugenia Theodosopoulos, the owner and master of the craft, was trained in France and later inducted into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. And while you should buy a whole box of her macarons when you stop in, the salted caramel one is the absolute must-try. 3830 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, essencebakery.com
The Velvet Buttercream
The Velvet Buttercream has made a name for itself as one of the best bakeries in Phoenix for custom cakes. But even if you’re not in the market for a cake for eight people, you can still enjoy the flavors in single-serving cupcake form. The Scarlet O’Hara (red velvet) has long been a crowd favorite, but the Carrot Pecan, Bouji Caramel, and German Chocolate are worth a try too. 702 W. Camelback Rd. #5, Phoenix, velvetbuttercream.com
Růže Cake House
Hidden just off Old Town Scottsdale’s Main Street, Růže Cake House is a go-to for a great macaron with a stunning aesthetic. The treats and this mother-daughter-owned shop are as much art as they are dessert. Think macarons topped with dried flowers expertly drizzled chocolate.
The flavors are nothing to balk at either, with fillings like Butterfinger-inspired caramel or perfectly sweet prickly pear. Add the floor-to-ceiling windows and the bright pops of greenery to the mix, and it’s a fantastic hideaway for a sweet bite and Instagram-worthy photos. 7033 E. Main St. #100, Scottsdale, ruzebakery.squarespace.com
