To go with the Center City dessert spot's vintage vibe and campy décor, the Brown Betty folks have as their specialty the long-cherished pound cake. Theirs is a model of simple buttery goodness, especially fantastic considering that they surround the moist cake with everything from carrot, German chocolate and buttercream frosting.
Yet, you can't leave without sampling Betty's cupcakes; luscious morsels such as "Aunt Eva Says," featuring pineapple pound cake and cream cheese butter cream icing, and "Hattie Don't Play," a ganache with chocolate fudge cake and chocolate buttercream, a few amongst the must-try items. Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 215.988.1888, www.brownbettydesserts.com
Capofitto
You go to Old City's wood-burning Napolitano pizza bar—once a paper factory—for the doughy, saucy goodness, but you stay for the gelateria's sweets; swirled, soft mounds of Italian frozen crème with bits of fresh fruit. Eat the fior di latte and several five spice-scented cookies, and you're in Heaven. 233 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 215.897.9999, www.capofittoforno.com
Magpie Artisan Pie Boutique
Sure, you can get savory Chicken Pot Pies with cheddar cheese biscuit crusting or Roasted Garlic Macaroni & Cheese pies with parmesan breadcrumbs, but it's the sweet eats that make Magpie such a lovable place.
The Butterscotch Bourbon Pie is all of the pleasure of a night-out drinking without a hangover while the tart Raspberry Rhubarb and the zesty Lime Basil never fail to amaze. 1622 South St., Philadelphia, 267.519.2904, www.iluvmagpie.com
Philly Cupcake
These bakers think of what they do as "cupcake art" and it's pretty hard to argue with them considering that their Box of Rose Cupcakes (with cream cheese or Swiss meringue buttercream) is better than any bouquet, and its large Tiffany eggs in robin's blue icing is the next best thing to jewelry. Plus, they taste divine. 1132 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 215.625.4888, www.phillycupcake.com
Located on a corner of Market Street in the historic Old City, these old world sweets makers corner the market on handmade chocolates, rock candy and ice cream soda fountain delights—all served by a bow-tie-wearing staff. The old-timey look of servers in long dresses and men with straw hats may bring you here, but the sweet goodies will keep you. 116 Market St., Philadelphia, 215.627.1899, www.franklinfountain.com 110 Market St., Philadelphia, 215.922.1048, www.shanecandies.com
