When a simple piece of candy just won’t satisfy your sweet tooth, you can count on a sugar rush from one of the many treat shops in Austin that embraces the “go big or go home” philosophy when it comes to desserts. From over-the-top milkshakes to ice cream tacos or churros piled high with toppings, Austin has got some amazingly decadent menu items to choose from. Go ahead and treat yourself to one of these outrageous sweets!
— The Yard Milkshake Bar
For very indulgent ice cream creations, head over to The Domain to check out The Yard Milkshake Bar’s customizable shakes. Presented in a mason jars, there are plenty of specialty shakes to order — or make your own with a wide variety of ice cream flavors and toppings from nuts, chocolate chips, cereal, cookies, and larger items like candy bars, cupcakes, donuts or cheesecake!
New for April: Try the Wunderkeks collaborative “Berrylicious Milkshake” made with perfectly sweet, slightly tart Raspberry Roadrunner ice cream, served in a chocolate-iced mason jar rolled in white chocolate chips, topped with whipped cream and a Wunderkeks Cranberry White Chocolate cookie, and finished with chocolate drizzle.
photo from The Yard Milkshake Bar’s Facebook page
— Wunderkeks
The local fun-loving team behind the Wunderkeks cookie business will have you, your friends, and family members happily feeling the love when they receive a special delivery of their delicious cookies and brownies. Engineered to be just like Grandma made them, these cookies are the perfect gift to send — or to send yourself. (Wunderkeks ships nationwide and also offers local delivery via DoorDash.) Each box comes playfully packed to add some joy to your day.
Photo from the Wunderkeks Facebook page
— Churro Co.
You may think you’re already a fan of churros, but until you’ve tried these sweet fried-dough pastries from Churro Co., you don’t even know how good they can be. The folks behind the Churro Co. food trucks really dreamed big with their dessert concoctions, and we love them piled high with extra goodies such as ice cream, whipped cream, salted caramel, even home-made apple pie or a mixed-berry compote. Personal favorite: The Campfire — churros tossed in graham cracker sugar, topped with Mexican chocolate sauce, whipped cream and torched marshmallows.
Photo from the Churro Co. Facebook page
— Taco Sweets
You guys, it’s an ice cream taco! Located in a the 5000 Burnet Road Food Truck Park, here you are given a fresh taco cone filled with Blue Bell ice cream and unlimited toppings. You can either freestyle it with a build-your-own taco with toppings that range from Cap’n Crunch cereal to honey roasted peanuts to Sour Patch kids. Or play it safe with a pre-set menu option like The Cookie Monster.
Taco Sweets, photo from Do512 Family staff
— Sweet Ritual
One of the best vegan ice cream shops in Austin, Sweet Ritual offers some truly delicious dairy-free options and some over-the-top items. Try the Unicorn Poop Ice Cream in a Lavender Cone to give your taste buds quite the wild ride (don’t forget the sprinkles!).
Sweet Ritual photo via instagram
— Beard Papa’s
Since 1999, Beard Papa’s might be fairly new to Austin, but they’ve been serving up the “world’s best cream puffs” around the globe since they begin in 1999 as a small bakery in Osaka, Japan. The pastries are made with a double layered puff–choux on the inside, pie crust on the outside, and a perfect filling made with a mixture of whipped and custard cream. You can find Beard Papa’s at 3220 Feathergrass Ct Suite 138 in The Domain. Choose from flavors such as Oreo cookie crumbs, s’mores, green tea, strawberry, chocolate and more.
Photo from Beard Papa’s Facebook page
— Gordough’s
BIG fat donuts! It’s the focus of the menu, but it’s not just the size of the donuts that makes these outrageous — it’s the loaded toppings, too. Check out their huge dessert menu that features chocolate selections, cream cheese selections and specialty offerings. For the ultimate brownie lover, take a bite out of their Black Out donut with chocolate fudge icing, brownie batter, brownies, chocolate chips, and topped with even more brownie batter! You can enjoy Gordough’s on South Lamar, South First, and now on the San Antonio River Walk.
Photo from Gourdough’s Facebook page
— Fluff Meringues & More
Walk into this delightful sweet shop at 4800 Burnet Road, and you’ll love the artistic beauty of the colorful meringue selection in the case. They have a wide variety of delectable treats available everyday with tons of rotating specialty flavors as well as afternoon tea. Choose from a drop or cloud of meringue or a beautiful pavlova (that you can customize with your choice of toppings) among many other menu items.
Photo from the Fluff Meringues & More Facebook page
— Bananarchy
This dessert option starts with something perfectly healthy — an ethically-sourced frozen banana! But for some tasty fun the banana is then coated with a dip (chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla, or vegan chocolate) and rolled in a topping from sprinkles to graham crackers to cookies and candies. You can find these treats at one of their three locations: 1311 S 1st St., 2420 Guadalupe St., or 80 Rainey St.
Photo from the Bananarchy Facebook page
— Cranky Granny’s Sweet Rolls
Cranky Granny’s takes cinnamon rolls to the next level… a level where breakfast suddenly turns dessert. And not just any dessert at that. These treats are mammoth sized and transformed into the cinnamon roll version of some of the most delicious desserts we all know and love, like peach cobbler or strawberry shortcake. We’re not sure if the size is a challenge or a miracle. Decide for yourself at their grand opening at The Domain on June 1st.
Photo from Cranky Granny’s Facebook page
— Tiny Pies
Whether it’s a dog or a dessert, miniature things are just better sometimes. The individual sized pies at Tiny Pies is conclusive proof of this very argument. From seasonal selections like banana cream or lemon meringue, to classics like Texas pecan or coconut cream, we’re here to say that what these little pies lack in size, they make up for in flavor (well, flavor, texture, richness, deliciousness… you get the point). Bonus: for those who just can’t get enough, they’ve got you covered on full-sized pies as well.
Photo from the Tiny Pies Facebook page
— Cold Cookie Company
We won’t lie… we do love a classic traditional dessert, like, perhaps an ice cream sandwich. But, we aren’t afraid of a little twist on traditional. We might even go as far as to say “we’re here for it.” Cold Cookie Company takes all the light and refreshing qualities of a conventional ice cream sandwich and combines it with the rich and buttery elements of a fresh baked cookie, only to create one of the most mouth watering treats you’ll have in Austin. Located at 2512 Rio Grande Street, this sweet spot will have the whole family smiling. You can choose your cookie, ice cream, and your toppings to create a custom combo sure to satisfy. However we must warn you, it doesn’t stop there. Check out their Unshake, an outrageous mashed up version of this delicacy.
Photo from the Cold Cookie Company’s Facebook page
Our giveaway is now closed and our winner has been notified. Thanks to all who entered!
