One of the best things about the holidays is gathering with family and friends for tradition-filled meals followed by decadent desserts. And with the holidays already busy enough, why not leave the desserts to the pros at local bakeries? Some have been in business for decades, providing sweet treats for holidays and everyday occasions that leave customers returning for more. Whether you're looking for pies, cakes, cookies, Mexican pastries, or another treat, you'll likely find just the combination you need - all without stressing out. And you'll know they'll come out perfectly!

Our real estate agents recommend the following top bakeries for your holiday desserts:

• Out on a Limb Pie Company - 806 40th Ave., Bettendorf, IA 52722
  The crust can make the difference between a pie that's merely good and one that's great, and Out on a Limb Pie Company has mastered the art of the perfect crust. Located just around the corner from Bettendorf homes for sale, the pie company makes their mouth-watering pies from scratch using the best ingredients, like fruits at the peak of ripeness. One of the bakery's most popular pies is a cherry variety made with sweetened tart cherries in a delicious glaze made with their own juices before being topped with a traditional crust or a crumb topping.
• Olde Towne Bakery - 1824 7th St., Moline, IL 61265
  If you'd like to serve a variety of holiday desserts to your guests, head to Olde Towne Bakery, located near Moline homes for sale. Since 1951, the bakery has created an incredible variety of amazing goodies to satisfy every sweet tooth and has become well known for their sugar cookies. Stencil, thumbprint cookies, and cupcakes are very popular, as are OTB's dessert squares. They come in several flavors, including caramel brownie, lemon, and sea salt. Holiday cookies come in fun shapes that are brightly decorated with icing, including mittens, wreaths, gingerbread men, and holiday sweaters.
• Tiphanie's - 210 E. 2nd St., Davenport, IA 52801
  Treat your family and holiday guests to desserts from Tiphanie's, found near Davenport homes for sale, and they're likely to become your go-to bakery for special occasions as well as everyday treats. Cookies include traditional chocolate chip, decorated sugar cookies, and a soft frosted cherry almond. Many other baked goodies are also available, such as macarons, scones, kolaches, seasonal cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, and plenty of types of bars, including pecan pie, salted caramel brownies, and Door County cherry pie.
• DeLuxe Cakes & Pastries - 812 S. Summit St., Iowa City, IA 55240
  Sit at the coffee bar at DeLuxe Cakes & Pastries, located just round the corner from Iowa City homes for sale, to watch the skill and artistry that goes into each creation in the open back-of-the-house area. You'll see drool-worthy goodies you'll want to serve to your family and friends over the holidays, and the only problem you'll have will be narrowing down your list. With cinnamon rolls, scones, cakes, pies, French macarons, and more in a variety of flavors, as well as gingerbread houses and other seasonal treats, you're sure to have a sweet holiday!
• Kathy's Pies and Bakery - 616 5th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
  Pies are a staple of holiday meals, and Kathy's Pies and Bakery has many delicious flavors to choose from. Mix it up with a selection of favorites such as cherry, apple, mint chocolate, pecan, raisin cream, and many more. Although the emphasis is on pies, you can also score other sweet treats at the bakery, including cream cheese rolls (cinnamon rolls iced with scratch-made cream cheese frosting) and cherry, apple, and blueberry turnovers that use the same yummy dough used to make pies. Cheesecakes are also on the menu and come in classic white chocolate raspberry, pumpkin, caramel pecan, lemon, and amaretto flavors. You'll find Kathy's near Cedar Rapids homes for sale.
• Panaderia el Chuy - 1502 Park Ave., Muscatine, IA 52761
  For a taste of Mexico in Iowa, head to Panaderia el Chuy, near Muscatine homes for sale. Using quality ingredients and authentic recipes, the bakery offers lots of hand-decorated cakes, cookies, donuts, and other desserts. Breads such as concha, which has a buttery, sweet flavor, make the perfect accompaniment to a holiday meal, as do empanadas with a variety of savory fillings. You'll also find dessert empanadas on the menu, including one stuffed with pumpkin, pineapple, and cream.
• The Cupcakery - 702 4th Ave., DeWitt, IA 52742
  Located just around the corner from DeWitt homes for sale in the heart of town, The Cupcakery offers baked goods made from scratch using no mixes or shortcuts. The home-based bakery business specializes in gourmet cupcakes that are baked fresh daily in flavors like coconut (topped with generous pieces of real coconut), rocky road, apple spice, German chocolate, and even cupcakes that are topped with adorable gingerbread men. Each cupcake is beautifully made and will make a presentation that's as attractive as it is delicious.
• Sweetheart Bakery - 245 Main Ave., Clinton, IA 52732
  Sweetheart Bakery has served homemade desserts to the community since 1950 and is now owned by the third generation of its founding family. The bakery, located just around the corner from Clinton homes for sale, specializes in cakes, decorated seasonal cookies, doughnuts, pastries, and coffee cakes. For a different type of treat, try the blarney stones, which, despite their name, are not just for St. Patrick's Day. They're made from homemade yellow cake that's cut into large squares, frosted with homemade buttercream icing, and then rolled in ground salted peanuts - yum! Pies are also a popular menu item, and they come in popular holiday flavors, including cherry, apple, pumpkin, and pecan.
• Frosted n' Filled Bakery - 3559 Jackson St., Dubuque, IA 52001
  Head to Frosted n' Filled Bakery, located near Dubuque homes for sale, for all things cupcake and cheesecake. Everything is made from scratch and baked fresh to order, and whenever possible, natural coloring from foods like fruit purees is used instead of food dyes. As an added bonus, gluten- and vegan-friendly cupcakes are also available. The bakery's gourmet cupcakes are extra-large and filled and frosted generously, with flavors like cherry chip, pumpkin spice, and death by chocolate available. Boozy cupcakes with a hint of alcohol and flavors like fireball apple pie are also available to give your holiday desserts a fun twist. And don't forget to take home some cheesecakes in holiday flavors like sugar cookie, pumpkin swirl, white chocolate peppermint, or boozy options like dark chocolate Kahlua.
• Goodies Galore – 7486 S Gear Ave, Burlington, IA 52601
  Located just around the corner from Burlington homes for sale, Goodies Galore offers homemade baked goods made from scratch. This bakery is known for its homemade buttercream frosting and all of the freshly baked items made to order. They specialize in cupcakes, sheet & round cakes, carrot cakes, cookies, brownies, pumpkin bars and other assorted desserts. Each dessert is beautifully made and will make a great presentation for your holiday party.

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