Touring Utah's Artisanal Bakery Scene: From Croissants to Kolaches

When it comes to planning a trip, there are many things to consider: where to go, where to stay, what to see and, most importantly, what to eat. Utah may be classified as a desert, but when it comes to desserts, it is anything but. In fact, the state is famous for its sugar culture. From ooey-gooey cookies to refreshing, custom-made sodas, this state is an innovator in the sugar game.

It is no wonder, then, that Utah has become the home of many artisanal bakeries. Comforting classics like warm, farm-style baked goods and intricate delicacies like European pastries line the streets. Say what you will, this state certainly delivers when it comes to sweet-toothed connoisseurs. (Read: A Sweet-Tooth’s Guide to Downtown Provo) 

With so many wonderful and unique bakeries to choose from, it’s only natural that we highlight a few standouts throughout the state to help you plan a Utah dessert tour. Start in the north and head down south; a treat will be waiting for you at every turn.

Le Croissant

Logan, Utah

The first sweet stop of the tour takes us to Le Croissant. Located at the corner of Church and Federal in downtown Logan, Utah, Le Croissant describes itself as an “Americanized” French bakery. Don’t let that put you off — these croissants are every bit as crispy and buttery as the ones off the streets of Paris. Le Croissant is pure Utah goodness. Using locally-sourced ingredients, the bakery creates sweet and savory flavor combinations, pleasing any palate. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Le Croissant is the perfect starting point. Get a delicious, artisanal breakfast sandwich and pair it with a delectable cruffin (a muffin-croissant fusion).

As the name suggests, Le Croissant is all about creating bold and memorable croissant combinations and innovating new ways to use croissant dough. Their Twice-Baked Almond Croissant is soaked in a brandy syrup, complementing the sweet almond filling and making the croissant a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Pair that with a daily rotating bread menu, and you’ll want to return again and again.

Sapori Italian Bakery & Cafe

Ogden, Utah

Sapori Italian Bakery and Cafe brings the flavors of Sicily straight to Ogden, Utah. Owned by Luca and Azzurra, a Sicilian husband-and-wife duo, Sapori serves Italian pastries made from scratch. Offering sweet and savory options, Sapori makes sure that customers get a chance to taste a wide range of Italian flavors. At Sapori, pastries are more than sweet treats; they are symbols of tradition. Each pastry is made with traditional ingredients and crafted with Sicilian pastry techniques.

Every type of Italian pastry can be found at Sapori, from the well-loved, crunchy and creamy cannolo to the orange-cinnamon ricotta cream-filled sfogliatella; each bite is like tasting a little piece of heaven. We can’t go without mentioning the rich Lavazza coffee. Featuring hints of honey and almond, their Lavazza Gold Selection provides a complex flavor profile to perfectly pair with Sapori’s delicious pastries. From rich, creamy pastries to intense coffee, Sapori is all you could want from a trip to Italy.

Gourmandise

Salt Lake City, Draper & American Fork, Utah

For the travelers who find themselves in the state's capital city, you can’t go without checking out Gourmandise. This famous European-style bakery features a wide selection of pastries as well as full meals. From comforting, made-from-scratch breakfast sandwiches and refreshing lunch salads to filling dinners, Gourmandise is a must-visit.

Established in 1991 by an immigrant family, Gourmandise’s mission has always been to innovate the artisanal bakery game. They painstakingly test and reinvent recipes, always pushing to bring out the best in not only their food, but their service as well. With such immense dedication, it was only a matter of time before the eatery became a franchise. Gourmandise’s signature sweets and service can now be found in Draper, American Fork and the Salt Lake City Airport, just in case you're craving a little something before you go. (Read: Finding Local Flavors at the New Salt Lake City International Airport)

The friendly faces are just the cherry on top of the already mouthwatering menus. With so many options, one menu just wouldn’t do this award-winning bakery justice. They want everyone, even those with dietary restrictions, to get a chance to try their fine-tuned recipes and pastries. With espresso-soaked tiramisu that is just the right amount of spongy and moist, and their rich gluten-free Triple-Chocolate Mousse, Gourmandise has desserts for everyone.

Chubby Baker

Salt Lake City, Orem and Sandy, Utah

Taking a break from elaborate European-style pastries, sometimes all an adventurer really needs is the comforting embrace of a familiar favorite. At Chubby Baker in Salt Lake City, the name of the game is donuts. Still, these aren’t your everyday Krispy Kreme selections. Dubbing themselves “Utah’s Ultimate Donut Destination,” Chubby Baker puts their all into each donut they make. Fueled by passion and a love of food, this bakery proves that a donut is more than just sugary fried dough; it is a canvas to explore flavor. And with so much to explore, one location just isn’t enough, which is why you can now find their delightful donuts in Sandy and Orem too.

Inspired by a wide range of Asian cuisines and cultures, Chubby Baker is an innovator in the donut game. Experimenting with their dough, fillings and frostings, it’s a guarantee that you haven’t had anything quite like these donuts. Their filled donuts are all the rage: Try the sweet and spicy tang of their Hot Guava Donut, which is coated in Thai chili powder, sugar and Tajín, and filled with guava-infused cream cheese. Don’t miss the subtly sweet Ube Cream Donut or their delightful Strawberries and Cream Donut — you can’t deny the explosion of flavor in each bite. If you need something to offset the sweetness, worry not, as Chubby Baker also offers a huge selection of custom drinks like lattes, milk teas and lemonades.

Auntie Em’s Baked Goods

Park City, Utah

As the tour continues, we find ourselves in the mountain town of Park City. Known for picturesque snowy peaks that invite even the most novice of skiers, Park City is one of the crown jewels of Utah. Still, Auntie Em’s Baked Goods proves that the resort town is more than just a pretty face. While the previous stops boast complex, groundbreaking flavor profiles and foreign pastry techniques, Auntie Em’s presents a familiar, comforting selection of your favorite baked desserts that will make your mouth water. Using locally-sourced ingredients, Auntie Em’s provides a wholesome experience for the whole family.

The bakery is a purveyor of small-batch cookies and pies. What they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. Auntie Em can guarantee that their pie crusts are always flaky and crispy, the filling is the perfect balance of sweet and tart and their cookies are buttery and soft. Not convinced yet? Just take a bite out of their Saucy Apple Crumble pie, combining sweet, buttery cinnamon sauce with fresh, tart Granny Smith apples and topping it with a crispy crumble to create a pie-lover’s dream. You just can’t go wrong with a pie from Auntie Em’s Baked Goods. (Read: Utah’s Pie-Ala-Road: A Sweeter Way to Explore the State)

Hruska’s Kolaches

Provo, Salt Lake City, American Fork, West Jordan and Orem, Utah

Hruska’s Kolaches is your one-stop shop for some Eastern European flavor. A cult favorite among locals, the Provo staple has grown into a franchise with locations in Salt Lake, American Fork, West Jordan and Orem. Hruska’s Kolaches packs all the flavor of a great meal into one delicious pastry. For those not in the know, kolaches are Slovak pastries characterized by their yeasty dough and meat, vegetable or fruit-filled centers.

According to Hruska’s, all their fillings are made in-house, from scratch. With hand-cracked eggs and only the freshest veggies and ripest fruits, their fillings create a warm and comforting sensation with every bite. Their bread is also freshly baked, which helps bring out its soft, buttery quality. Hruska’s savory options make this the perfect place to pick up a flavorful on-the-go lunch that will definitely fill you up. Their Sausage and Gravy Kolache is so great that Guy Fieri even featured it on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” A highlight is the Texan Kolache, which is a smoked beef hot dog with cheddar cheese and jalapeño, all stuffed into their yeasty bread. And don’t forget to grab one of their fruit and cream cheese-filled kolaches for dessert!

Bonjour Bakery & Cafe

Moab, Utah

Hidden within the red rocks of Moab lies a small, family-owned bakery specializing in European pastries and breads. Bonjour Bakery & Cafe resides in the heart of downtown Moab and is the perfect stop for all visitors looking for a pick-me-up after a long day of off-roading, biking or hiking at Arches National Park. (Read: Off the Eaten Path: Dining Between the Mighty Five) Their delectable desserts are made fresh every day, ensuring that customers get the most out of their experience.

For those who are just starting their day, Bonjour offers an appetizing breakfast menu featuring freshly baked bread. They also make tasty flatbreads that are topped with house-made sauces and fresh vegetables. Grab a cup of their espresso-based coffee or a fruity smoothie and take a seat on their outdoor patio as you dive into one of their berry-topped tarts.

Bonrue Bakery

St. George, Utah

The final stop on the artisanal bakery tour is St. George’s Bonrue Bakery. The newest establishment on the route, Bonrue Bakery was founded in 2021 by Chris Connors, Li Hsun Sun and Chris Herrin, three renowned Las Vegas chefs. The founders bonded through their love of food and sharing recipes, and what better way to share that passion than to gather a team of master pastry chefs and open their own restaurant and bakery? They also since spawned two more locations in Springdale and Hurricane.

Originally named Farmstead Bakery, Bonrue got its new name by combining the French words for good, “bon,” and street, “rue.” Bonrue is all about making elite pastries that leave an impression and make you want to share it with as many people as possible. The owners of Bonrue are dedicated to their craft and make it a point to ensure high quality in all their food. The bakery has a large selection of pastries, breads and sandwiches. Their BLT with mozzarella and herbed mayo is to die for, and the Kouign-amann has just the right amount of flakiness and buttery sweetness — no wonder it’s a best seller. All in all, Bonrue Bakery is the perfect way to finish off this journey through Utah’s artisanal pastry landscape.

Utah’s love of desserts has fostered a culture that pushes bakers to innovate and redefine the world of baked goods. This love of exploration has attracted a wide net of bakers and pastry chefs from around the world, creating a unique and diverse artisanal dessert scene, full of crispy croissants, filling cakes and gluten-free chocolate mousse. Who knows what new flavor or mind-blowing treat is right around the corner.