If you’re craving fresh donuts, custom cakes, flaky pastries, or classic Bundt slices, Boone County, Kentucky has everything you need.
From small family-run bakeries to regional favorites, the county’s bakery scene mixes heritage baking traditions with modern creativity.
What makes Boone County unique is the variety: you’ll find German-style strudel, Latin-inspired tres leches, classic American donuts, and even ice-cream cakes.
Many shops are family-owned, passed down for generations, while others bring new energy with themed cupcakes and trendy treats.
This guide walks you through 12 bakeries and sweet shops across Florence, Burlington, Union, Hebron, and nearby towns.
You’ll learn what each bakery is famous for, when to visit, what to order, and how to make the most of your next sugar stop.
Emerson’s Bakery (Florence) — Heritage Donuts & Classics
One of the oldest names in Northern Kentucky baking, Emerson’s Bakery is a tradition for locals. The shop is famous for cream-cheese donuts, oversized cookies, fresh bagels, and challah bread.
The charm of Emerson’s is its consistency—for decades, people have relied on this bakery for breakfast treats, holiday trays, and everyday desserts.
Regulars say the donuts are soft and fluffy, while the challah makes an excellent French toast base.
What to try: Cream-cheese donuts, classic chocolate chip cookies, fresh challah.
Good for: Family breakfasts, large office trays, last-minute sweet runs.
OakBrook Bakery (Florence/Oakbrook) — German-Style Pastries & Morning Lines
OakBrook Bakery has a loyal following for its German-inspired baking. Think flaky apple strudel, soft pretzels, jelly donuts, and seasonal pastries.
Because of their popularity, weekend mornings often mean a line out the door—and once trays are empty, they close.
This is the place to go if you love old-world baking. Everything is made with care, from laminated dough to sweet fillings.
Many Boone County residents make this a Saturday morning tradition.
What to try: Apple strudel, Bavarian pretzels, jelly donuts.
Good for: Early-bird pastry runs, European-style brunch platters.
Kelly’s Cakery (Florence) — Custom Cakes + Walk-In Treats
When it comes to special occasion cakes, Kelly’s Cakery is one of Boone County’s most reliable shops.
They specialize in wedding cakes, graduation cakes, and birthday masterpieces, but also keep smaller treats available daily—like cupcakes and cheesecake minis.
Customers love that Kelly’s offers buttercream artistry and flavor options beyond standard vanilla and chocolate. Seasonal cakes often include red velvet, lemon, and caramel drizzle varieties.
What to try: Custom buttercream cakes, Oreo cheesecake minis, cupcakes.
Good for: Weddings, showers, milestone birthdays, or smash cakes.
Amiel Arte Bakery (Florence) — Latin-Style Sweets, Coffee & Brunch Bites
This Florence gem brings a taste of Latin America to Boone County. Amiel Arte Bakery is known for its tres leches cakes, flan-style cheesecakes, and caramel lattes.
Unlike traditional bakeries, it also serves savory options like breakfast sandwiches and empanadas, making it a great brunch stop.
The atmosphere is cozy and modern, with seating for coffee dates or work breaks. Locals say the tres leches cups are perfectly moist and the coffee is rich and bold.
What to try: Tres leches slices, caramel latte, mini cheesecakes.
Good for: Afternoon coffee meetups, weekend brunch treats.
Nothing Bundt Cakes (Florence) — Crowd-Pleaser Bundts in Every Size
A nationally loved chain with a strong Boone County following, Nothing Bundt Cakes specializes in one thing: Bundt cakes with rich frosting swirls.
Their Bundtlets (individual cakes) and Bundtinis® (bite-sized treats) are perfect for parties.
They’re known for consistent quality—every cake is moist, fluffy, and covered with cream cheese frosting. Seasonal flavors rotate, so there’s always something new to try.
What to try: Red velvet Bundtlet, lemon Bundtinis®, seasonal pumpkin spice Bundt.
Good for: Office birthdays, stress-free entertaining, holiday dessert trays.
Paradise Donuts (Hebron) — Neighborhood Donut Favorite
For residents in Hebron, Paradise Donuts is the go-to neighborhood spot. This bakery focuses on classic American donuts, from glazed to filled varieties.
Pair your donut with a strong cup of coffee, and you’ve got the perfect start to your day.
The shop is small, cheerful, and loved by families. Kids especially enjoy the sprinkle donuts and fun frosting flavors.
What to try: Jelly-filled donuts, maple bars, chocolate-glazed classics.
Good for: Early morning treat boxes, post-game team snacks, coffee-and-donut mornings.
Graeter’s (Union) — Ice Cream… and Ice-Cream Cakes/Pies
Although Graeter’s is famous for French-pot ice cream, the Union location also creates ice-cream cakes and pies.
Imagine layers of their signature black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream sandwiched with fudge, cake, and whipped topping.
If you’re looking for something different from traditional baked cakes, this is your answer. These frozen desserts are crowd-pleasers at summer birthdays and cookouts.
What to try: Black raspberry chocolate chip ice-cream cake.
Good for: Hot summer birthdays, cookouts, ice-cream lovers.
Memorie Makers / Pixi Sweets (Florence) — Event Cakes, Cupcakes & Beverages
More than just a bakery, Memorie Makers / Pixi Sweets is an event dessert specialist.
They create custom cupcakes, cake pops, cookies, and themed cakes designed for showers, graduations, and weddings.
They also offer a beverage bar, which makes them a unique one-stop shop for party catering.
Customers appreciate their themed creations—like unicorn cakes, baby-shower cupcakes, and elegant tiered wedding cakes.
What to try: Cupcake assortments, cake pops, custom-themed cakes.
Good for: Graduation parties, baby showers, dessert buffets.
Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli (Crestview Hills) — German Breads & Tortes Near Boone
Just a short drive from Boone County, Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli offers a wide selection of German-style tortes, bee-sting cakes, pretzels, breads, and sandwiches.
This is the place to visit if you’re planning a party with European flair.
Their pretzel trays and layered tortes are especially popular during Oktoberfest season.
What to try: Black Forest torte, bee-sting cake, German pretzels.
Good for: Office luncheons, large family gatherings, Oktoberfest parties.
Kroger In-Store Bakeries — Custom Cakes on a Budget
Don’t overlook Kroger’s in-store bakeries. With multiple locations across Union, Burlington, and Hebron, Kroger offers affordable custom cakes, cupcakes, and breads.
The big advantage here is convenience—you can pick up a cake the same day, or even order a sheet cake with a printed photo design.
What to try: Half-sheet cakes with whipped frosting, dinner rolls, cupcakes.
Good for: Budget-friendly birthdays, same-day party solutions.
Sweet Beard Bakehouse (Lawrenceburg, IN) — Worth the Drive
Though just across the state line, Sweet Beard Bakehouse in Lawrenceburg draws Boone County visitors. They serve fresh rustic bread, crumb cakes, cookies, and seasonal soups.
It’s a small-town bakery with a loyal following, and perfect for a Saturday morning road-trip. The crumb cake, in particular, is a favorite with both locals and out-of-towners.
What to try: Rustic sourdough loaves, crumb cake, seasonal cookies.
Good for: Weekend pastry adventures, artisan bread lovers.
Big Picture: Boone County’s Baking Boom
Beyond small shops, Boone County has invested in large-scale baking. In 2025, Bakery Express Midwest opened a 50,000-square-foot facility, bringing over 200 jobs to the area.
This ensures that local groceries and restaurants have a steady supply of muffins, croissants, and donuts, fueling both households and businesses.
This boom shows that Boone County isn’t just eating baked goods—it’s producing them at scale.
Quick-Pick- Where to Go & What to Order
| Bakery | Neighborhood / City | Signature Items | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson’s Bakery | Florence | Cream-cheese donuts, challah, cookies | Family trays, breakfast |
| OakBrook Bakery | Oakbrook/Florence | Strudel, pretzels, donuts | Morning pastry runs |
| Kelly’s Cakery | Florence | Custom cakes, cheesecake minis | Parties, celebrations |
| Amiel Arte Bakery | Florence | Tres leches, cheesecakes, lattes | Coffee meetups |
| Nothing Bundt Cakes | Florence | Bundtlets, Bundtinis® | Birthdays, office treats |
| Paradise Donuts | Hebron | Glazed & filled donuts | Early morning runs |
| Graeter’s | Union | Ice-cream cakes & pies | Summer birthdays |
| Memorie Makers / Pixi Sweets | Florence | Cupcakes, cake pops | Themed events |
| Servatii | Crestview Hills | Tortes, breads, pretzels | German-style spreads |
| Kroger Bakeries | Multiple | Sheet cakes, cupcakes | Budget-friendly parties |
| Sweet Beard Bakehouse | Lawrenceburg, IN | Rustic loaves, cookies | Weekend road-trip |
Tips for Choosing the Right Bakery
- Morning cravings? Head to OakBrook Bakery or Paradise Donuts early, before sell-outs.
- Need a show-stopper cake? Try Kelly’s Cakery or Memorie Makers.
- On a budget? Kroger’s sheet cakes are a practical choice.
- Love German flavors? Visit Servatii or OakBrook Bakery.
- Prefer frozen sweetness? Graeter’s ice-cream cakes are unbeatable in summer.
Boone County’s bakery scene blends heritage donut counters, Bundt specialists, German-style patisseries, Latin-inspired cafés, and custom cake studios into a paradise for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Whether you want a classic glazed donut, a frosting-covered Bundtlet, or an elegant wedding cake, you’ll find it here.
By knowing which shop matches your craving—and by planning ahead for weekends and holidays—you can enjoy the best pastries, breads, cakes, and donuts Northern Kentucky has to offer.
From morning coffee runs to wedding-day masterpieces, Boone County’s bakeries make every day a little sweeter.
FAQs
Which bakery is best for a last-minute birthday cake?
Nothing Bundt Cakes and Kroger bakeries are great for same-day cake solutions, while Kelly’s Cakery works well for pre-planned events.
Where can I find German-style pastries in Boone County?
OakBrook Bakery and Servatii Pastry Shop are known for their strudel, pretzels, and layered tortes.
Do any bakeries offer coffee with pastries?
Yes! Amiel Arte Bakery combines coffee drinks with tres leches, cheesecakes, and other sweets, making it ideal for coffee-and-pastry meetups.