6 Must-Try Bakeries in Knoxville
This is for everyone who enjoys the sweeter things in life. (Yeah, we’re lookin’ at you, our buttercream frosting and chocolate-covered anything girlies 😉) There’s no hiding that the Scruffy City has stolen our hearts – but the literal ✨sweetest✨ things about Knoxville are her local bakeries (and there are plentyyyyy). From classic vanilla cupcakes to half-pound cookies, butter and sugar never tasted better, y’all!🙌 The holiday season is right around the corner, so whether you’re in charge of picking up festive desserts for Friendsgiving or you’re looking for the tastiest hostess gift, here are six of our favorite Knoxville bakeries for some inspiration (and sweet sweet happiness)!
6 Must-Try Bakeries in Knoxville:
1.) Magpies Bakery
North Knoxville: 846 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917
When I stepped into Magpies for the first time, I knew I was leaving with more than a single cupcake (for inquiring minds, I went with SIX cupcakes, a cosmic brownie, and banana pudding). The desserts are especially delicious (made with love but also LOTS of butter) and they have so many tempting treats to choose from… in fact, I’m in need of a s’mores pumpkin cupcake right about now. Magpies will take custom cake orders for special events you may have coming up or they sell whole cakes in their bakery, ready to make someone reeeeally happy (even if it’s for yourself). With the holidays approaching way too quickly, they are taking preorders for Thanksgiving and if you want to *wow* your friends and family, the pumpkin cranberry bars look DIVINE, just sayin’ 😉
2.) Wild Love Bakehouse
North Knoxville: 1625 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917
Not your average coffee shop, Wild Love Bakehouse is pure magic. They have a full coffee bar (oat milk cappuccino please ☕) and a baked goods case where they make everything in-house. The almond frangipane croissant deserves a standing ovation and I casually want their flaky hand pies every single morning for breakfast. It’s the best place to hang out for a while with schoolwork or a thrilling book while snacking on a cranberry oat scone and your favorite coffee drink. Sips and snacks aside, we just love the plants and overall chill aesthetic too. Wild Love is taking Thanksgiving preorders now so hurry before they sell out (I have googly eyes for the pumpkin pie👀) but a box of croissants surely wouldn’t disappoint.
3.) Marble City Sweets
West Knoxville: 9307 Kingston Pike Suite B, Knoxville, TN 37922
They may be known for their incredible custom cakes but Marble City Sweets has a few other things up their sleeves as well! From gender-reveal cake pops to festive cookie Advent calendars, there is something sugar-coated for everyone. I recently stopped by and the dessert case housed pumpkin pie-decorated sugar cookies that would make anyone smile like a little kid 😊 They will gladly work with you to create a perfectly decorated and customized cookie set (or cupcakes, cake, etc.). Be sure to include Marble City Sweets in your holiday plans this year – the turkey place card cookies aloooone will steal the show 😍
4.) Benefit Your Life Gluten Free Bakery & Cafe
West Knoxville: 10420 Kingston Pike Suite G, Knoxville, TN 37922
Benefit Your Life is truly a special bakery in Knoxville – especially if you have food allergies or preferences. Everything they make is gluten-free and they even offer egg-free, dairy-free, vegan options, etc. Whether you go for breakfast or lunch, you must get a cinnamon roll (or two or three)! They are so soft, perfectly spiced, and just absolutely delicious. Something this good almost seems too good to be true but trust me, these are legendary. I also tried the Texas sheet cake which makes the sweetest midnight snack. This bakery does preorders for the holidays and they also take special orders for cakes and cupcakes – and yes, it’s still ALL gluten-free. If you’re lookin’ for more gluten-free goodness and health conscious businesses, we gotchu right here!
5.) Status Dough
Bearden & Downtown: 6535 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919
Yeah, opening gifts may be exciting but have you tried opening a box of freshly made doughnuts from Status Dough?? (What can I say, doughnuts are a girl’s best friend!) With seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice and apple cider, these doughnuts will definitely get you in the holiday spirit. Bring a dozen down to the office or home to the roomies, and spread the joooy. I highly recommend their old-fashioned doughnuts because they have a crispy, crackly exterior but a suuuuuuper soft inside that just melts in your mouth. Surely, you can’t go wrong with a classic Boston cream either (*drool*) Just definitely doughnut miss out on this delish local bakery 😉
6.) Myrtle’s Bakehouse
Downtown: 333 W Depot Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
Allow me to introduce you to Myrtle’s Bakehouse, home of the half-pound cookie. These cookies are changing the game and are (as their motto goes): “big enough to share, but you don’t have to.” Maybe you’ve been gift shopping for the fam or cramming for finals. Either way, you deserve to stop at Myrtle’s and treat yourself to some of the freshest cookies in the Marble City (no, literally. They’re located inside Marble City Market 🤣). You should definitely splurge for the Scruffy City cookie (espresso chips, toffee, and pecans) because it’s sweet, salty, and caffeinated to keep you up and running this holiday season.
These are just a few of our favorite bakeries in Knoxville so be sure to let us know your other sugary obsessions!
PS: We are counting down to the New2Knox Friendsgiving so be sure to RSVP here and bring your favorite dessert!