There’s nothing like walking into a bakery and smelling fresh bread and pastries. Or those decadent desserts. The experts over at Southern Living recently named what they believe is the best bakery in North Carolina, and it’s right here in Charlotte. It’s one that gets a lot of hype, but it also lives up to that hype. It’s Amelie’s!

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe opened its first location in NoDa in 2008. Since then it’s become a staple in the Charlotte community. According to Amelie’s website, “From day one we have approached every decision with intention, purpose, and whimsy – from the recipes we create to the spaces we curate. We want ours to be a place of community, comfort and nourishment.” They certainly do just that.

I absolutely love French bakeries, and at the top of my list are macarons. And Amelie’s makes some delicious ones! Other items on the menu include a variety of French pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads, as well as coffees. Amelie’s is certainly one of my favorites so I agree with Southern Living’s choice naming it the best bakery in North Carolina!

Amelie’s has four locations in the Charlotte region.

  • NODA: 136 E. 36th St. Charlotte, NC 28205
  • Park Road: 4321 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209
  • Carmel Commons: 7715 Pineville Matthews Rd. Unit 34B Charlotte, NC 28226
  • Rock Hill: 157 E. Main St. Rock Hill, SC 29730

Would You Have Guessed This Is North Carolina’s Favorite Dessert?

We’ve run into a few lists that make us shake our heads over the years. But this one may take the… cake- pun 100% intended. North Carolina’s favorite dessert is not one we would have thought of. Coventry Direct used some interesting methodology to determine the most popular dessert in every state. They took a list of 40 of the most popular desserts and then analyzed Google search terms in each state for those 40 desserts.

While not a bad metric, it does seem to create an issue in states where popular desserts don’t really need to be Googled: Grandma just passes that recipe right on down. But anyway, while most of us might guess chocolate cake, or sweet potato pie for North Carolina, you’d be wrong apparently. Also, Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, SOUTH CAROLINA are y’all ok? The other question I have is what in the world is Texas sheet cake and why is it so popular? Also why is there no just chocolate or vanilla cake or cupcakes on this list? I have to think those are more popular than things that made this list.

But what is North Carolina’s favorite dessert? Well, let’s take a look at the most popular dessert in every state:

  • Alabama

    Pound Cake

    Pound Cake

  • Alaska

    Baked Alaska

  • Arizona

    Rice Krispies Treats

  • Arkansas

    Pecan Pie

  • California

    Ice Cream

  • Colorado

    Rice Krispies Treats
    Rice Krispies Treats

  • Connecticut

    Ice Box Cake

  • Delaware

    Funnel Cake

  • District Of Columbia

    Ice Cream

  • Florida

    Key Lime Pie
    Key Lime Pie

  • Georgia

    Peach Cobbler

  • Hawaii

    Cheesecake

  • Idaho

    Jello

  • Illinois

    Ice Cream

  • Indiana

    Texas Sheet Cake
    Texas Sheet Cake

  • Iowa

    Texas Sheet Cake

  • Kansas

    Texas Sheet Cake

  • Kentucky

    Fudge

  • Louisiana

    Pralines

  • Maine

    Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Maryland

    Funnel Cake

  • Massachusetts

    Ice Cream

  • Michigan

    Carrot Cake

  • Minnesota

    Jello

  • Mississippi

    Banana Pudding
    Banana Pudding

  • Missouri

    Coconut Cake

  • Montana

    Pumpkin Pie

  • Nebraska

    Brownies

  • Nevada

    Blondies
    Blondies

  • New Hampshire

    Jello

  • New Jersey

    Ice Box Cake

  • New Mexico

    Bananas Foster

  • New York

    Black & White Cookies

  • North Carolina

    Coconut Cake

    Yes, that’s right. According to this list, North Carolina’s favorite dessert is coconut cake. Hmmmm…. I mean it is one of my parents’ favorite desserts and a Christmas dinner staple for our family. So honestly, I’ve been more suprirsed- I’m looking at you -the states that had jello as a favorite.

    Coconut Cake

  • North Dakota

    Banana Split

  • Ohio

    Texas Sheet Cake

  • Oklahoma

    Pecan Pie

  • Oregon

    Carrot Cake

  • Pennsylvania

    Ice Cream

  • Rhode Island

    Donuts
    Donuts

  • South Carolina

    Jello

  • South Dakota

    Brownies

  • Tennessee

    Chess Pie

  • Texas

    Pecan Pie

  • Utah

    Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Vermont

    Brownies

  • Virginia

    Funnel Cake
    Funnel Cake

  • Washington

    Carrot Cake

  • West Virginia

    Fudge

  • Wisconsin

    Cherry Pie