Sweet Stops Worth the Crumbs
For those who believe the perfect treat is more than just a sugar fix, this trail is made for you.
From charming bakeries to creative dessert counters, Lafayette–West Lafayette is full of spots serving up cookies, cupcakes, chocolates, pastries, ice cream, and everything in between. Whether you’re craving rich, decadent layers or warm, fresh-from-the-oven classics, follow this trail to discover your next favorite indulgence.
🍪 Local Sweet Shops That Turn Cravings Into Traditions.
Smittybread brings handcrafted sweetness to Lafayette with a delightful selection of pastries and baked treats made from simple, high-quality ingredients. While known for its artisan roots, this local favorite shines just as brightly in its flaky croissants, seasonal danishes, tender muffins, and perfectly balanced sweet breads. Each pastry is thoughtfully prepared using time-honored techniques, resulting in layers of flavor and texture that feel both comforting and refined. Whether you are stopping in for a morning indulgence or picking up something special to share, Smittybread offers a warm, welcoming space where every sweet bite feels intentional and memorable.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your shop’s story or beginnings that you think more people should know?
Smittybread’s owner/ founder is the son of a local grocery store owner whose business, Smitty’s Foodliner, was a landmark in West Lafayette for generations, known for its high-quality goods and customer service. I try to honor that tradition by keeping the business customer-focused.
What inspired you to focus on desserts specifically—was there a signature item or moment that sparked it?
Before opening the bakery I happened to catch an episode of the Great British Bake Off that featured kouign amann, a French pastry. My first attempt turned out reasonably well, and I was encouraged to learn more. Once I started the bakery, which I originally envisioned as primarily a bread shop, I quickly realized how important pastry sales would be to our survival. Pastries now account for nearly half our sales.
Signature Sweets
What is your top-selling dessert?
The almond croissant, followed closely by chocolate croissant and Danish.
What’s an underrated item on your menu that more people should try?
Our turnovers. They are flaky and light fruit-filled pockets. We also offer a savory variety called the eye-opener.
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you’re trying to create for guests when they walk in?
Our bakery kitchen is open to view, so customers can see, smell, and hear their pastries and breads being made in front of them when they visit. We like to keep it real.
What do you hope people feel when they enjoy your desserts— comfort, nostalgia, surprise?
Surprise that something as basic and delicious as a croissant or baguette is made right here in Lafayette. You don’t have to go to Paris or New York (although there are plenty of other reasons to visit them!)
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Ingredients & Craft
Do you have any unique ingredients or methods that set your desserts apart?
Every dessert we offer is made from scratch. The skill of the baker is our most unique ingredient, followed by butter. Lots of butter.
How do you approach developing new sweet creations or seasonal treats?
We take a light-handed approach to seasonal variations. Nothing too tricky. Holidays are busy enough. Occasionally one of our team members will come up with something entirely unique, such as a donut-shaped fruitcake we sold around Christmastime.
Community Roots
How has the Lafayette community supported your shop’s journey so far?
I started making bread and pastries at home for sale at the West Lafayette Farmers Market 12 years ago, and we sold out quite often. By the time we opened the bakery in 2017 we had a loyal following. The fan base has been growing ever since. There is quite a cosmopolitan community here, owing in part to Purdue University, and demand for quality bread and pastries is high.
Are there local collaborations, farmers, or suppliers you love working with?
We have been a supplier of pretzels and bread for People’s Brewing Co. for years, and Eleventh House Coffee uses Smittybread for some of their signature sandwiches. Being a family-owned bakery, we appreciate working with other locally owned businesses when we can. But our small size limits our ability to handle more than a few commercial accounts at a time.
Fun & Personal
What was the first dessert you ever offered here—and is it still on the menu?
The morning bun, which is a cinnamon roll made from flaky croissant dough. We bake them each and every morning and have since we opened the bakery in 2017.
If you had to pick just one dessert from your menu for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The good old “plain” butter croissant. It’s delicious without overtly a dessert. It’s good for breakfast, lunch or dessert.
Looking Ahead
What’s next for your shop—any new desserts, expansions, or ideas you’re excited about?
We’ve been talking about expanding our production area, both to keep from bumping into each other and to reach more customers efficiently. We have some options but haven’t pursued them as yet.
How do you see your role in the Greater Lafayette food scene evolving in the coming years?
Our goal has been to elevate the bakery experience in the community by consistently producing high-quality, European-style pastries and breads. I don’t see our role changing as long as we keep our eyes fixed on that mission.
Sweet Revolution Bake Shop lives up to its name by turning everyday moments into sweet celebrations. Known for its beautifully crafted cupcakes, custom cakes, and dessert bars, this locally loved bakery blends creativity with classic flavors. From rich buttercream swirls to eye-catching specialty designs, every treat feels both festive and thoughtfully made. Whether you are planning a celebration or simply craving something sweet, Sweet Revolution Bake Shop delivers indulgence with a personal, hometown touch.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your shop’s story or beginnings that you think more people should know?
I have been a pastry chef for over 20 years and it is a brother sister owed business.
What inspired you to focus on desserts specifically—was there a signature item or moment that sparked it?
Pies and all things flaky. Pie was the first dessert I ever learned to make and is the perfect vessel for creativity and flavors are endless.
Signature Sweets
What is your top-selling dessert?
Sweet and savory pies
What’s an underrated item on your menu that more people should try?
Galettes
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you’re trying to create for guests when they walk in?
We want the pastries to speak for themselves, and for them to not only look good but delicious, and of course for you to be hit aroma of all the pastries.
What do you hope people feel when they enjoy your desserts—comfort, nostalgia, surprise?
We want it to be comforting, nostalgic and cravable.
Ingredients & Craft
Do you have any unique ingredients or methods that set your desserts apart?
We use high quality natural ingredients and all items are made from scratch by hand
How do you approach developing new sweet creations or seasonal treats?
We start with seasonal fruits and vegetables and then we go off of what we are craving and have been envisioning. We like to take old fashioned desserts and app them up.
A true Lafayette tradition, McCord Candies has been satisfying sweet tooths for generations with handcrafted chocolates and nostalgic confections. Stepping inside feels like stepping back in time, where classic candy-making techniques meet timeless flavors. From rich, hand-dipped chocolates to signature soda fountain favorites, every visit offers a taste of history along with something delicious. McCord Candies remains a must-stop destination for those who appreciate tradition, craftsmanship, and a little old-fashioned sweetness.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your shop’s story or beginnings that you think more people should know?
McCord Candies has been a candy store and soda shop for over 100 years! We offer a true vintage vibe experience that will be unique with every visit! Whether you're looking for candies, sweet treats or specialty chocolates - we have a variety and price points for everyone!
What inspired you to focus on desserts specifically—was there a signature item or moment that sparked it?
McCord Candies has been offering sweet treats for over a hundred years, so we decided to focus on the candy but to also offer a sprinkling of dessert related items. We like to keep things nostalgically simple when it comes to desserts. Dessert items that you remember as a kid, like brownies and Rice Krispie treats and chocolate chip cookies. But, occasionally, we’ll throw in a special elevated item, like the Dubai Chocolate Brownie, it is a big hit!
We’re a mix of comfort meets trending desserts… and, as always, lots and lots of candies and chocolates!
Signature Sweets
What is your top-selling dessert?
Artisan chocolates and hard candies are the top sellers for McCord Candies. But everyone loves a good brownie and rice krispie treat, so we focus on the comfort sweets that people love!
What’s an underrated item on your menu that more people should try?
Soda floats are the sleeper at McCord's! A Root Beer Float is the perfect just-because or after-dinner treat, but an ice cream float can be done with any of our sodas... one of the best is an Orangesicle Float - yum!
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you’re trying to create for guests when they walk in?
We want there to be an ambiance at McCord's that makes you forget the challenges outside our door. When you come in, you're transported to another time, a fun and nostalgic time filled with memory making and good old-fashioned family time.
What do you hope people feel when they enjoy your desserts—comfort, nostalgia, surprise?
Feelings of a nostalgic yesteryear are what McCord Candies is all about. The desserts we offer are sweet childhood comfort sweets that we're all familiar with and think of when craving a sweet treat!
Ingredients & Craft
Do you have any unique ingredients or methods that set your desserts apart?
Our handmade hard candies are unique to McCord's, made the same way with the same handmade process as they were 100+ years ago!
How do you approach developing new sweet creations or seasonal treats?
We keep watch for trends and listen to what our staff and guests would like to see from us. We always keep a requests list too :)
Community Roots
How has the Lafayette community supported your shop’s journey so far?
We are beyond thankful to our community for the support that we've been shown at McCord's. We love Lafayette, it has always been our home and, since acquiring McCord Candies, we have fully integrated our whole family, making McCord's a very special place in the hometown we share.
Are there local collaborations, farmers, or suppliers you love working with?
We work with a number of local collaborators, especially seasonally as our partners specialize in unique and creative products. For example, one of our first partnerships was with Flora Candle Company. We work together on a fun collaborative candle line called 'Candyles' (when candies meets candles :) they make a very special candy cane candle that use our candy canes on top - they're exclusive to McCord Candies and only available at Christmas time. We have many partnerships with other local small businesses as well... it is important to us to be win-win collaborators within our community.
Fun & Personal
What was the first dessert you ever offered here—and is it still on the menu?
Candy Canes ... since 1912! There is nothing like a McCord Candies' candy cane :)
If you had to pick just one dessert from your menu for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Candy Canes ... does that count as a dessert? We think it does!
Looking Ahead
What’s next for your shop—any new desserts, expansions, or ideas you’re excited about?
We always have new ideas and plans on the horizon... we are excited for what is to come in 2026! But we'll probably keep that under wraps for now ;)
How do you see your role in the Greater Lafayette food scene evolving in the coming years?
With the opening of our second location, we will be bringing candies, chocolates and desserts to 2100 Main Street (the Old Kenny's Shoe Repair store)... we have a lot of fun surprises coming in the spring to this location, stay tuned Lafayette!
Scones & Doilies brings a charming, from-scratch approach to baked goods in the heart of Lafayette. Known for its tender, buttery scones and thoughtfully prepared pastries, this cozy bakery highlights comforting flavors with an elevated touch. Seasonal offerings and beautifully finished treats make each visit feel special, whether you are pairing a pastry with coffee or selecting something sweet to take home. With its inviting atmosphere and attention to detail, Scones & Doilies is a delightful stop along the Sweet Trail.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your shop’s story or beginnings that you think more people should know?
We are a family-owned business, immigrating to the area over 30 years ago from Albania. Our two daughters went to Purdue to study business and during their time there, they encouraged me to start selling my scones and pastries. Our business started by selling at the local farmers markets, which we ended up taking part in for 10 years. We started at the West Lafayette market and eventually started doing all the local markets. Our first few years in the business we had to spend a lot of time educating our customers on our products and flavors as they were new to the community. Over time, customers continued to come back and our reach expanded in large part because of the uniqueness and quality of our products. We grew organically year by year, using our consistent growth to put back into the business, so our bakery is truly a product of hard work and passion. Several years ago, we moved into our space at 632 Main st and today, we feel blessed to be able to add a little more joy to many people's days.
What inspired you to focus on desserts specifically—was there a signature item or moment that sparked it?
I have been baking and enjoying many handcrafts since I was a child, like crocheting and decorating. I was the head decorator at a local grocery store for many years and my friends and customers encouraged me to pursue my talents and sell my products. Additionally, our family started traveling more and our favorite activity was to experience the local cafe and bakery scene. I was inspired by some beautiful small businesses we visited and living in the Lafayette area for so long, we always wished there were more inspiring bakeries in town.
Signature Sweets
What is your top-selling dessert?
We curate our selection to only include pastries that our customers love, but scones are consistently our top sellers. Our scone flavors vary by season, but some of our popular flavors include Blueberry, Chocolate, Honey Lemon and our signature - Honey Fig Pecan.
What’s an underrated item on your menu that more people should try?
There are several items like this as many of our customers who have stuck to a single favorite for years try something new and discover they love it just as much, if not more. One of our most underrated items is the Pistachio Petit. It's a pastry we created as we were playing around with different ideas - it has a crumbly shortbread cookie base with a rich ganache-pistachio topping. It pairs very well with a glass of tea or wine in the evening.
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you’re trying to create for guests when they walk in?
Authentic, warm, joyful. We want our guests to feel like they’ve stepped into a space where time slows down - a place that feels special and deeply personal.
What do you hope people feel when they enjoy your desserts—comfort, nostalgia, surprise?
A spark of joy with a sprinkle of curiosity. We want every bite to feel like a small discovery.
Ingredients & Craft
Do you have any unique ingredients or methods that set your desserts apart?
Yes, many of our ingredients and flavors are unlike bakeries we've tried across the country and even internationally. From using fresh berries in our scones to our uniquely hand-decorated sugar cookies, we’ve spent years mastering the specific balance of taste, look, and texture to ensure our products don't just look like art, but taste like it, too.
How do you approach developing new sweet creations or seasonal treats?
In the past, many of my favorite recipes actually came from “happy accidents” or baking mistakes where a texture didn't go as planned but instead inspired a whole new idea of flavors or texture. Nowadays, I find most of my inspiration while traveling. Stepping away from the bakery and into new cities and cultures allows me to bring fresh ideas and perspective back to our kitchen in Lafayette.
Community Roots
How has the Lafayette community supported your shop’s journey so far?
The community continues to be very supportive. We even have many customers that used to follow us at the farmers market since year one and continue to come to the shop weekly. Over the years, our customers have played a key part in helping us grow by sharing our social media posts and enjoying pastry boxes with their friends and co-workers. We feel honored to learn that some of our regular customers come in from all over Indiana.
Are there local collaborations, farmers, or suppliers you love working with?
We love working with Flora Candle - they have made a few custom candle scents for us that we sell at the shop as well. Flora is passionate about Main Street and supporting our small businesses, we appreciate their leadership!
Fun & Personal
What was the first dessert you ever offered here—and is it still on the menu?
Scones with fresh berries - including flavors like Raspberry White Chocolate and Blueberry. Most bakeries wouldn't try to make pastries with fresh berries as they have a short shelf life and high cost, but you can taste the difference. We continue to sell our scones with fresh berries; they are still a favorite among our customers.
If you had to pick just one dessert from your menu for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My personal favorite is the Honey Fig Pecan scone enjoyed with a cup of coffee!
Looking Ahead
What’s next for your shop—any new desserts, expansions, or ideas you’re excited about?
Our focus this year will be on our gourmet dessert cakes. We have many recipe items and recipes we created in the past that we haven't had the ability to offer consistently. We have a cake case at the shop that we have been keeping stocked throughout the week but we hope to offer more beautiful and rich cake flavors that customers can enjoy for a celebration or dinner party.
How do you see your role in the Greater Lafayette food scene evolving in the coming years?
We will continue to offer fresh, quality, and delicious bakery items to the area and hope to continue bringing happiness to more customers in the future!
Every’s Ice Cream is a Lafayette favorite serving up classic scoops and creative flavors that bring out the kid in everyone. With a menu featuring rich ice cream, indulgent sundaes, and refreshing seasonal specialties, it is the perfect place to cool off and treat yourself. The welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere makes it a go-to destination for celebrations, summer evenings, or spontaneous dessert runs. At Every’s, every scoop is served with a side of nostalgia and hometown pride.
History & Heritage
What’s something unique about your shop’s story or beginnings that you think more people should know?
Every’s is a family-owned and operated shop focused on creating a space for community and local love downtown. Our motto is “Ice cream for everyone” which carries the sentiment that ice cream is the perfect treat for every person, every day, in every season. We opened on December 15, 2024 and have loved welcoming new customers in over the past year. Our ice cream is made in Indiana by a small-batch business called JB’s Barnyard.
What inspired you to focus on desserts specifically—was there a signature item or moment that sparked it?
We noticed a gap in the dessert scene downtown Lafayette and wanted to fill the space. Downtown needed an ice cream shop!
Signature Sweets
What is your top-selling dessert?
Our best selling ice cream flavor is Wow Now Brownie Cow - a chocolate based ice cream with chocolate flakes, chocolate swirl, and brownies. For the chocolate lover, it’s everything and more.
What’s an underrated item on your menu that more people should try?
The affogato is one item that will have you hooked from the first try. It’s a scoop of any ice cream flavor with 2 shots of espresso poured over top. Coffee AND ice cream is the best of both worlds.
The Experience
How would you describe the atmosphere you’re trying to create for guests when they walk in?
Every’s is bright, clean, and cozy. Our front windows let sunlight cover the warm wood tables and blue prints that hang on our walls. It’s the kind of ice cream shop where you can take your time, enjoy street side views of downtown, and chat with our staff. We want to be the ice cream shop for everyone.
What do you hope people feel when they enjoy your desserts—comfort, nostalgia, surprise?
We hope people are surprised by the high quality flavor profiles and cleaner ingredients that set our ice cream a part from other shops. We serve a lot of classic flavors as well as thematic seasonal flavors that change throughout the year. It’s dessert you can feel good about eating - even if it is an indulgence.
Ingredients & Craft
Do you have any unique ingredients or methods that set your desserts apart?
The company that makes our ice cream uses a whole ingredient base mix containing 7 simple ingredients: Cream, Milk, Cane Sugar, Skim Milk, Nonfat Dry Milk, 2% or less of Guar Gum, and Locust Bean Gum. In addition, it’s made with 16% butterfat - making it extra creamy!
How do you approach developing new sweet creations or seasonal treats?
We carry 22 year-round flavors and 6 rotating seasonal flavors. Our seasonal flavors reflect Fall, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Spring, and Summer. This past year we created a special occasion flavor call Heritage Chip (French vanilla ice cream with chocolate flakes and gold sprinkles) to celebrate Lafayette’s Bicentennial that ran during Summer 2025.
Community Roots
How has the Lafayette community supported your shop’s journey so far?
We have felt so supported by our city and downtown community. Events like Mosey Down Main Street and Star City Nights help expand our customer reach and allow us to serve new guests all year. In June of last year, we launched Every’s Event services. We have loved serving ice cream for weddings, college events, retirement parties and more.
Are there local collaborations, farmers, or suppliers you love working with?
In our first year of business we did collaborations on Special Menu items with Scones & Doilies, (former) Rose Market Bakery, and Lavender Bee Co. We often collaborate with other downtown businesses such as Two Tulips and Rush by Two Tulips for pop-ups and sip&shop events.
Fun & Personal
What was the first dessert you ever offered here—and is it still on the menu?
A classic menu item we’ve had since day 1 is our 3 flavor flight. Served in a 3compartment tray, customers can try 3 different kids scoop size ice creams. 3 flavors so you don’t have to just pick 1!
If you had to pick just one dessert from your menu for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My favorite flavor is Espresso Chip ( espresso flavored ice cream with chocolate flakes infused with espresso beans). If I could only eat one ice cream flavor for life - that would probably be it!
Looking Ahead
What’s next for your shop—any new desserts, expansions, or ideas you’re excited about?
In 2026, we are hopeful to expand our event business and serve more guests!
How do you see your role in the Greater Lafayette food scene evolving in the coming years?
We hope to continue to become a Main Street staple. Reliable, friendly ice cream service that’s the best you’ve ever had.
Whether you’re a dessert dabbler or a full-on sweets lover, the Lafayette–West Lafayette Sweets Trail is the perfect way to treat yourself while exploring local bakeries, candy shops, and crave-worthy dessert stops.
If your business serves up sweet treats and would like to be featured in this blog, please contact Paul Whitehurst (pwhitehurst@homeofpurdue.com).
