Sugar and spice and everything nice

Tulsa sweet shops bring their a-game this fall

Brown Sugar Pecan Pop Tart

Antoinette Baking Co. | 207 N. Main St.

Inside Antoinette’s glass display case was a delectable assortment of pastries, but what caught my eye was the brown sugar pecan pop tart. “A fan favorite,” I was told by the employee behind the register. Rarely do you find a pastry that tastes as good as it looks, and this looked good—its decadent white drizzle and golden flaked sprinkles practically screaming to be Instagrammed. The taste lived up to its visual appearance. The softness of the pastry’s inner layer enhanced the crunchiness of the pecans. This isn’t your 10-year-old’s pop tart.

Caramel Apple Popcorn

Premier Popcorn | 3215 S. Harvard Ave.

This offbeat treat would make a great gift or conversation starter. The flavor is definitely for lovers of the super-sweet. The visual appearance is nothing but fun—combining golden buttery caramel popcorn with the bright green apple flavor. Let your eyes and taste buds live a little. The shop also boasts over 36 flavors, from jalapeño cheddar to salt and vinegar.

Pumpkin Empanada

Pancho Anaya Bakery | 2420 E. Admiral Blvd.

I think Pancho Anaya has a cult following and I want in. The traditional Mexican bakery’s primary location in the Kendall-Whittier District has stacks of trays and tongs that patrons use to grab what they want of off dozens of display shelves. The bakery is a veritable smorgasbord. In search of a fall-themed pastry, I found the pumpkin empanadas—and made the mistake of judging by its no-frills outward appearance. Its natural, fresh, not overwhelmingly sweet flavor surprised me. Bonus: It was less than a dollar for a huge portion. Pancho Anaya doesn’t need to try hard: their multigenerational history means they know how to make pastries their customers love.

Cranberry Pumpkin Loaf

Farrell Family Bread | 8034 S. Yale Ave.

One of the reviews on Farrell Family Bread’s Facebook page said it best: “It is so good, I’ll eat carbs.” This 17-year-old bread company, tucked away in a South Tulsa shopping center, uses all natural ingredients and steers clear of any artificial preservatives. When you walk into the small shop, the smell of bread is near hypnotic. I tried their fall loaf—pumpkin bread with bits of cranberries. In the store, I ate it plain and right off the slicer. At home, I toasted it and added cream cheese. Both times I felt like I’d fallen in love.

Bavarian Cream Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ludger’s Bavarian Cakery | 6527 E. 91st St.

Rumor has it some people dream about Ludger’s Bavarian cream cheesecakes. I’ve tried the flavors they offer year-round, so I was interested to see their take on fall. If you’re one of those people who count down the days until pumpkin spice lattes return to Starbucks—this should be your go-to fall dessert. The German style cheesecake, which is cream-filled, blends light sponge cake on the outside with pumpkin cream cheese in the center. It’s delightful.

Pumpkin Whoopie Sandwich with Maple Cream Filling

Little J’s Bakeshoppe & Coffee | 10032 S. Sheridan Rd.

Little J’s was filled with an overabundance of fall-themed sweets, from sugar cookies shaped like fall leaves to various kinds of pie. But what caught my eye was the pumpkin whoopie sandwich with maple cream filling. When I was a kid, my mom would buy us chocolate chip whoopie sandwiches in the food court at Promenade mall. I haven’t tried one since, so I was intrigued by this artsy, seasonal version. The bright orange pumpkin cookie outside was soft, allowing the maple cream filling to be the shining star of the treat. I loved every bite.

Peanut Butter Bacon Pie

Bread and Butter Kitchen + Bakery | 3837 E. 51st St.

Although Bread and Butter is known as a Southern-comfort eatery, the market items at the front of the restaurant deserve equal attention. We’d all like more comfort in our lives—and Bread and Butter is serving it by the slice. The refrigerated display cabinet boasts the traditional fall pies you’d expect, like pumpkin and pecan. The peanut butter bacon pie got the better of my curiosity. The peanut butter flavor was robust with a smooth consistency. The bacon was crispy, not overcooked. I couldn’t finish the entire slice because it was so rich, but I recommend it to all peanut butter (and bacon) lovers.

Fig Roll

Chimera | 212 N. Main St.

I went to Chimera on a mission: to try the beloved fig rolls. I was surprised when the barista pointed toward the pastry stand on the counter, which I thought contained cinnamon rolls. I was hesitant. As a kid I hated fig anything. Remember the bland cookies from the grocery store with fig paste squeezed in the middle? But Chimera’s fig roll made me a believer. The fig was subtle and the flavors of the baked roll and thin icing glaze balanced each other out. If you want to switch up your traditional cinnamon roll pick, this is an excellent alternative.