The 9 Best Places for Desserts in Iowa!

Sometimes your sweet tooth is so strong, you just want to skip straight to dessert. Across Iowa, stretching from Sioux City to Davenport, Iowa has a long list of great places to catch dessert. Whether you have the taste for some ice cream or world-class chocolates, perhaps even some gourmet popcorn, the state of Iowa has you covered. To get your sweet tooth satisfied in no time, be sure to check out these 9 best places for dessert in Iowa. 

Molly’s Cupcakes, Iowa City, IA

If it’s cupcakes you are craving, then Molly’s Cupcakes in Iowa City has just what you are looking for. Featuring a long menu and stacked display case of artisan and made from scratch cupcakes, Molly’s also features homemade ice cream, brownies and pies. For the cupcake selection, alongside the many flavors, patrons have the choice between gluten-free, center filled and vegan cupcake varieties, letting everyone taste for themselves why Molly’s is one of the best in the state.

Kathy’s Pies, Cedar Rapids, IA

Hot and straight out of the oven, Kathy’s Pies of Cedar Rapids provides perhaps the most fruitful dessert you’ll come by in the state of Iowa. Many of the different pies found at Kathy’s Pies have made this locally owned shop well known throughout the state, and some of the continuing favorites include mint chocolate pie, butterscotch cream and raspberry supreme. Kathy’s also serves up a wide range of other confectionaries. Including dessert bars, cupcakes and caramel apple walnut Bundt cake.

Here’s What’s Poppin, Cedar Falls, IA

Family owned and operated, Here’s What’s Poppin specializes in gourmet popcorn and frosted nuts—and provides a fun shopping experience as you figure out your new favorite flavor. Some of the instant classics at Here’s What’s Poppin include bacon cheddar, chocolate cherry and five-alarm cheddar, and there's many more to choose from. Whether it’s a gifted dessert for a friend or the family, Here’s What’s Poppin has all the right taste for everyone to enjoy.

Crème, Des Moines, IA

Creme began as a cupcake shop in 2010, and has grown in the Des Moines metro to be one of the best places to find a variety of desserts. Creme expanded their menu to include cakes, cookies and dessert bars, and they expanded their space to create a one-of-a-kind Dessert Lounge. The Dessert Lounge at Creme specializes in custom cakes and cocktails after 5 p.m., and provides the perfect place for a large group or intimate setting to top of your evening with the perfect flavors. 

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Lagomarcino’s, Davenport, IA

For mouthwatering chocolates that are hard not to dig into on the ride back home, Lagomarcino's of Davenport is a true chocolate wonderland of delight and appeal. Family owned for over a century, Lagomarcino’s has perfected their chocolate recipe and selection, which can be discovered with a single bite into their savory selection. While you can’t go wrong at Lagomarcino’s, popular choices always include sea-salt caramels, English toffee and nut-clusters. 

Sugar Shack Bakery, Sioux City, IA

Whether you are looking for cookie bouquets, custom cakes or even a wedding cake, the Sugar Shack Bakery of Sioux City has the right recipe for you. While it’s always a fun and aromatic experience to check out what’s on the shelf at the Sugar Shack Bakery daily, to really get the most out of this local bakery and confectionery, it’s worth putting in a custom order for a personalized cake or decadent dessert.

Insomnia Cookies, Ames, IA

For that real late-night sweet tooth, Insomnia Cookies of Ames has you covered. This college town cookie shop even delivers for those that want late-night cookies fast. The only thing better than the convenience of Insomnia Cookies is the selection, which ranges from the traditional chocolate chip crunch to specialty s’mores. A great way to get that sugar fix, Insomnia Cookies are meant for anytime of the day.

Grandpa’s Homemade Ice Cream, Burlington, IA

For some good ole-fashioned ice cream, head on over to Grandpa’s in Burlington. Featuring the highest quality and freshest ingredients, Grandpa’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to serving up great ice cream one scoop at a time. Outside of the traditional sugar or waffle cones, it’s well recommended to check out the wide selection of ice cream creations including turtle pie sundaes, tin roofs and state-famous shakes and malts.   

Over the Top, Pleasant Hill, IA

If your sweet tooth can only be conquered by ice cream desserts, then the best spot for you has got to be Over the Top of Pleasant Hill. Featuring over 30 made-in-house ice cream flavors to choose from, half fun the of visiting Over the Top is peering through the open kitchen windows to watch the ice cream making process in motion. The other half is testing and choosing between all your soon-to-be favorite flavors.

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