Food and Drink

Charlotte's sweet spots: 5 new dessert legends emerging

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles highlight emerging and unique dessert trends in Charlotte. These include the expansion of global dessert shops, new and inventive dessert offerings, and the influence of international treats on local tastes.

SWIRL Dessert Bar sets a benchmark for cookies, allowing customization with various frostings and toppings.

Melt n Dip opens its doors in Charlotte, bringing Belgian chocolate crepes and loaded waffle sticks.

Dubai chocolate trends, known for its pistachio cream and phyllo pastry mix, spread across local bakeries.

Meanwhile, the Milkshake Factory debuts uptown with an array of milkshake flavors alongside sundaes.

Another bakery, La Bonbonniére, launches a 'cookie lab,' offering homemade cookies baked on site.

SWIRL’s Classic is a chocolate chunk cookie with white frosting, chocolate chips and chocolate sauce, and SWIRL’s Grizzly is a brownie cookie with cookie frosting, brownie cake bites and chocolate sauce. By Alex Cason

NO. 1: THE ULTIMATE SWEET SPOT: THIS DESSERT BAR WAS NAMED CHARLOTTE’S BEST FOR COOKIES

Here’s where you can find the best cookies around Charlotte, according to our readers. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon and Alex Cason

Melt N Dip offers crepes, cakes, waffles and more. By Courtesy of American Asset Corporation

NO. 2: GLOBAL DESSERT SHOP EXPANDING TO CHARLOTTE WITH CREPES, GELATO AND MORE

Here’s when the sweet new spot will be making its Queen City debut. | Published June 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

The Dubai Brownie at Cupcake Delirium features kataifi inside. Dubai chocolate has gone viral, making its way around the world, driving global pistachio shortages and inspiring artisan chocolatiers.

NO. 3: DUBAI CHOCOLATE IS GOING VIRAL, BUT YOU CAN STILL MANAGE TO FIND IT IN CHARLOTTE

The elusive treat has made its way around the world, driving global pistachio shortages and inspiring artisan chocolatiers. | Published July 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Milkshake Factory’s menu features a variety of “indulgent” flavors -- more than 26 in all.

NO. 4: DESSERT SHOP WITH OVER 26 ‘INDULGENT’ MILKSHAKE FLAVORS TO OPEN IN CHARLOTTE

Milkshakes, sundaes and small-batch chocolates, oh my. | Published August 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

La Bonbonnière Bakery is located at 329 S Tryon St. By Courtesy of La Bonbonnière Bakery

NO. 5: BELOVED BAKERY BRINGS ‘OFFICIAL COOKIE LAB’ TO NEW CHARLOTTE SPOT. WHAT TO KNOW

A beloved Charlotte bakery is expanding, which means more homemade sweets. | Published September 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.