Most Popular Item From These Mystic “Bake Shops”

photo by Katie Paege

photo by @platematenyc

Bleu Squid Breakfast & Bakery Cafe’s most popular item is the cupcake; 80 flavors of them! Winning TV’s Cupcake Wars draws attention from afar but superior quality and flavor create new fans every day. Salted Caramel is the most-popular flavor, moist with a homemade density and complex flavor that renders me powerless to resist. The caramel icing, caramel drizzle and dash of sea salt are balanced and not too sweet.
27 Coogan Blvd (bldg 16), Mystic

photo by Elizabeth Saede

SIFT’s classic butter croissant is a flaky, buttery, tender mouthful of ethereal goodness with a crunchy golden-brown exterior. Owner, Adam Young, won the Food Network’s “Best Baker in America” in 2018 and SIFT is undergoing a huge expansion to better serve the adoring public. But don’t let publicity fool you, the French-inspired bakery items are even better than the hype. 81 layers of croissant dough transform into 13 creations such as chocolate croissants and the Cinnamon Sugar Ebbieoche (named after Adam’s wife Ebbie).
5 Water St, Mystic

photo by Li’s

The most popular item from locally loved Li’s Bake Shop is the freshly-baked soft chocolate chip cookies (pictured: salted caramel chocolate chip) bursting with chocolate and responsible for countless smiles around town. Chorizo and egg on a bagel is a great way to start any day. Tips: great coffee with $1 refills encourage on-site eating though few indoor seats are available. Located on Holmes Street just steps from the hustle and bustle of the Historic Mystic Drawbridge.
15 Holmes St, Mystic

photo by Deviant Donuts

Deviant Donuts pops up each weekend inside Vault Coffee Roasters (in Olde Mistick Village). The Samoa donut with toasted chewy coconut, vanilla cake, vanilla glaze, and a drizzle of dark chocolate glaze is a mainstay favorite at Deviant. Tips: Go early to secure favorite flavors. Menus are posted Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. on Instagram and Facebook. Open 8:00 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the winter; every day in summer. OPEN VALENTINE’S DAY!
27 Coogan Blvd (7b), Mystic

photo by Elizabeth Saede

Mystic Market is a full-service market with a busy bakery with locations East and West of the Mystic River. The most popular title goes to their Flourless Chocolate Torte. Divine layers of creamy ganache, whipped ganache & other delectable details melt in my mouth with a jolt of dark-chocolate flavor.
East: 63 Williams Ave, Mystic / West: 375 Noank Rd, Mystic

photo by Elizabeth Saede

Lighthouse Bakery’s European-style pastries include napoleons, cream puffs and tiramisu. Sandwiched between the West Mystic post office and the new home to Bravo Bravo, Lighthouse is tucked at the quiet end of a driveway off of bustling East Main Street. The puff pastry napoleon with vanilla custard center has a creamy flavor and fondly reminds me of old world treats from Brooklyn.
21 E. Main St, Mystic

B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill (open September 1 st through December or when they run out of apples) has generations of fans of their freshly-prepared apple cider donuts. The warm cinnamon sugar covered donut is the clear favorite. Beginning in late August, truckloads of fresh apples are converted into apple cider using the oldest steam-powered cider press in the United States. Cider and apples are transformed into pies, turnovers, dumplings, breads and other delicious treats.
129 N. Stonington Rd., Mystic

Just Outside of Mystic

photo by Indulge

Indulge Coffee & Sandwich Co.’s freshly baked cinnamon roll is a fan favorite. This hot bun is crispy, chewy, gooey and delicious. Located directly across from the entrance to Stonington Library with on-street parking. Tip: don’t forget that container of homemade dog biscuits for your furry friend.
17 High St, Stonington

photo by Loveridge Place

Loveridge Place is tucked away in an industrial section of Pawcatuck (Stonington). Their butter croissant’s exterior is crunchy with pillowy interior layers of butter and melt-in-my-mouth flavor. The whole thing disappears in a self-indulgent flash. Buttery croissants in all shapes, sizes and flavors (almond is the most popular) share baking racks and a display case with bagels and cookies among the intoxicating aroma of real butter.  Tips: Currently open Friday-Sunday 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. but actively looking to expand into a larger space in a more visible location. Use your GPS if you must but GO now, GO often!
2 Prospect St, Pawcatuck (Stonington)

photo by Zest

The Amazing Bar might take the cake for most popular at ZEST Fresh Pastry a hidden gem inside The Velvet Mill in Stonington Borough. The graham cracker crust is piled with layers of dark chocolate, butterscotch, coconut, pecans, and white chocolate with a top garnish of sea salt. The chewy, sweet bar would pair well with Zest’s house coffee procured from Ashlawn Farm in Old Saybrook. The industrial space has bar stool seating and long reclaimed wood tables with bags of toys to occupy kids while Mom & Dad relax. Tips: visit the winter Stonington Farmer’s Market inside the Velvet Mill Saturdays 10-1. The whole brick building is packed with interesting shops and artists who are open various days and times.
22 Bayview Ave, Stonington

About the Author
Elizabeth Saede is a local author of Lobster Summer. She is also the author of thisismystic.com’s “On the Water” column. Elizabeth can be reached by email at Sunshine06378[at]gmail.com.