Nine police officers saved a Michigan bakery from closing in 2009. Today, Cops & Doughnuts in Clare is a popular stop for travelers looking for oversized cinnamon rolls, apple fritters, and a little small-town history.
But Michigan’s dessert stops go well beyond doughnuts. In Traverse City, Moomers makes ice cream on a working dairy farm.
In Nashville, MOO-ville uses robotic milking equipment, while a Baldwin ice cream shop has been making its own scoops since 1942.
Detroit adds another reason to make the drive. Warda Pâtisserie is run by a James Beard Award-winning pastry chef, and Astoria Pastry Shop has been serving baklava, cannoli, and European desserts for more than 50 years.
These 12 stops offer everything from old-fashioned ice cream parlors to Italian bakeries, with a few unexpected stories along the way.
1. Moomers Homemade Ice Cream, Traverse City, Michigan
Cows graze just beyond the windows at this Traverse City favorite, run on the Plummer family’s working dairy farm. The view alone makes a scoop feel a little more special.
Moomers started making its own ice cream in 1998. Since then, the team has created more than 150 flavors, with over 20 available on a typical day.
Cherry fans should look for Cherries Moobilee. It celebrates the fruit that put northern Michigan on the map, so it fits the setting nicely.
Bringing a group? The Wholey Cow sundae is built for sharing, which turns dessert into a team project.
Just agree on spoons before anyone starts digging.
The farm sits a short drive from downtown Traverse City. That makes it easy to pair with a beach day or a trip along the bay.
Plan to linger a bit, since the farmland view is part of the reason people stop here.
Address: 7263 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685
2. House of Flavors, Ludington, Michigan
Blue Moon ice cream and a diner booth make a classic Michigan pairing. House of Flavors serves both, just a few blocks from Lake Michigan.
The family’s ice cream history goes back to 1948. That long run shows in the old-fashioned setup, which combines a full diner with an ice cream parlor under one roof.
Retro decorations and classic diner seating set the mood. You can order a real meal first, then save room for something sweet.
Waffle cones are made fresh, and scoops come in generous sizes. Flavor names like Michigan Pot Hole bring a little humor to a state known for bumpy spring roads.
Since the shop sits close to the waterfront, it works well before or after a walk to the Ludington lighthouse pier. A cone in hand makes that stroll even better.
Families on a beach weekend will find it an easy stop. Just know that picking only one flavor can take longer than expected.
Address: 402 W Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 49431
3. Sherman’s of South Haven, South Haven, Michigan
Can’t decide between flavors? Sherman’s has a fix for that called the ice cream flight, which lines up several smaller samples so you can taste a few at once.
Scoop sizes here are known for being big. A single order can feel like a challenge, so consider splitting one if you also plan to eat dinner.
The menu leans on Michigan favorites. Mackinac Island Fudge brings chocolate and fudge pieces, while Superman and Blue Moon offer bright colors that kids tend to grab first.
Generations of South Haven vacationers have made this roadside stop part of their summer routine. The Sherman name has been tied to local dessert for a long time.
In 2025, the business reopened under new ownership. That change kept a familiar tradition going for beach towns along this stretch of the lakeshore.
South Haven’s beaches and harbor are close by. A flight after a sunny afternoon sounds like a fair reward for all that sand.
Address: 1601 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI 49090
4. MOO-ville Creamery, Nashville, Michigan
Robots help milk the cows at this Barry County farm. That milk ends up in the ice cream you can order at the counter, which is a pretty short trip from barn to bowl.
MOO-ville produces more than 80 homemade flavors. A rotating group of hand-dipped choices is available at the Nashville farm, so the lineup changes from visit to visit.
Kids usually want to see more than a cone. The seasonal animal area gives families a chance to meet farm animals and learn how a working dairy operates.
Watching the robotic milking equipment is a fun lesson for curious minds. It shows how modern dairy farms in Michigan handle daily chores.
Before leaving, take a look around the farm store. It sells bottled milk, cheese, and other dairy products, so you can bring a bit of the farm home.
Pack a small cooler in the car. Cheese curds and fresh milk travel better when they stay cold on the ride back.
Address: 5875 S M-66 Hwy, Nashville, MI 49073
5. Blank Slate Creamery, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Chocolate ice cream with chocolate-covered potato chips goes by the name Couch Potato here. It sums up Blank Slate’s playful take on familiar flavors.
Every batch is made from scratch in small amounts. The shop opened in 2014 and has rotated through creative choices ever since.
Past flavors have included Browned Butter Cookie Dough and Garden Mint Chip. Each one starts with something you know, then adds a twist that makes it feel new.
The waffle cones are made in-house too. That gives your scoop a sturdy, homemade base instead of a store-bought shell.
Friends with different diets can still order together. Non-dairy options mean no one has to sit out while everyone else enjoys a cone.
Downtown Ann Arbor offers plenty of shops and campus walks nearby. A trip to Blank Slate can fit right into an afternoon of browsing, and the rotating menu gives you a reason to return next time.
Address: 300 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
6. Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bread came first at Zingerman’s Bakehouse. In 1992, it opened to supply loaves to Zingerman’s Delicatessen, and the pastry case grew from there.
Today the shelves hold European-inspired baked goods alongside American favorites. Chocolate chess pie, seasonal fruit pies, and vanilla bean crullers are all part of the mix.
Celebrating something? Elaborate layer cakes are a big part of the menu, and they make a birthday feel a little more official.
The specialty menu changes throughout the year. Holiday treats and seasonal items appear and disappear, so returning customers often spot something different.
Want to learn the tricks yourself? The bakery runs a baking school called BAKE, where classes teach techniques from bread to pastries.
Taking a class turns a dessert trip into a skill you can use at home. It also gives you a new respect for anyone who makes croissants for a living.
Grab a box of treats for the drive home. Your passengers will thank you.
Address: 3711 Plaza Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
7. Cannelle by Matt Knio, Detroit, Michigan
Pistachio chocolate croissants are a good reason to visit downtown Detroit. They’re one of the standout items in Cannelle’s French-style pastry case.
Pastry chef Matt Knio runs the bakery. His menu focuses on buttery croissants, colorful macarons, fruit tarts, and elegant individual cakes.
Almond pastries also draw attention from customers. If you like nutty flavors, these make a smart pick next to your coffee.
The display is carefully arranged, and it makes a great photo before you start eating. Macarons in a rainbow of colors are hard to resist snapping.
Cannelle sits near Capitol Park, a lively downtown area with shops and offices. It gives you a little Parisian café feel without needing a passport.
Planning a stroll downtown? Stop here for a morning pastry or an afternoon treat.
A small box of macarons also makes a sweet gift for someone back home, as long as it survives the car ride.
Address: 45 W Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
8. Warda Pâtisserie, Detroit, Michigan
In 2022, Warda Bouguettaya won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef. Her Detroit bakery is one of the most honored dessert stops in the state.
Warda Pâtisserie blends Algerian influences with French baking techniques. The result is a lineup of desserts you won’t see at most neighborhood bakeries.
Tarts and cheesecakes are beautifully finished, often with creative flavor pairings. The menu changes with the seasons, so fruit and spice choices shift through the year.
That rotating approach rewards curious eaters. You might find a favorite one month and a brand-new surprise the next.
Travelers who enjoy trying new things will feel right at home. Asking what is fresh that day is a great way to start.
A James Beard Award is a big deal in the food world, often compared to an Oscar for chefs. Getting to taste work from an award winner without fancy reservations makes this stop feel like a small treasure.
Address: 70 W Alexandrine St, Detroit, MI 48201
9. Astoria Pastry Shop, Detroit, Michigan
Baklava, cannoli, and towering tortes share the same glass cases at Astoria. This Greektown bakery has been serving Detroit since 1971.
The dessert display is huge. Choosing just one item can feel nearly impossible, so plan on a box instead of a single treat.
Honey-soaked Greek sweets sit near European-style cakes and cookies. Colorful individual desserts add even more options for anyone who likes variety.
Not sure where to begin? Baklava is a classic choice for Greektown, while cannoli give you an Italian detour on the same visit.
Astoria sits on Monroe Street, right in the heart of the neighborhood. It makes a handy stop after exploring downtown Detroit or catching a game nearby.
Over five decades, the shop has become part of the area’s identity. Grabbing a few pastries here connects you to a long Detroit tradition, one sweet bite at a time.
Address: 541 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226
10. Cops & Doughnuts Headquarters, Clare, Michigan
Yes, the doughnut jokes write themselves. In 2009, nine local police officers bought a struggling Clare bakery to keep it from closing.
The building has bakery roots going back to 1896. That long history makes the playful name even more fun.
Oversized cinnamon rolls and apple fritters are big draws. Filled doughnuts and maple-bacon creations round out a menu built for serious snacking.
Police-themed decorations fill the space. A souvenir shop sells gear, so you can take home a shirt that proves you stopped by.
Clare sits along a common route for travelers heading north. That makes this a natural break on a drive toward northern Michigan.
Kids get a kick out of the police theme, and adults enjoy the backstory. Grab an extra fritter for later, because the next exit won’t have anything quite like it.
A small-town rescue story and a box of pastries make this stop memorable long after the sugar wears off.
Address: 521 N McEwan St, Clare, MI 48617
11. Jones’ Homemade Ice Cream Shoppe, Baldwin, Michigan
Since 1942, Jones’ has been making ice cream in the small town of Baldwin. That makes it one of the longer-running ice cream shops in the region.
Step inside and look at the walls. Historic photographs share space with a fishing mural, which fits Lake County’s love of rivers and lakes.
Homemade scoops are the main attraction. Sundaes and classic ice cream treats keep the menu simple and focused on what the shop does well.
There’s no need for wild flavors here. The appeal comes from a long-running tradition that feels familiar even on a first visit.
Baldwin sits in an area known for fishing, camping, and the Pere Marquette River. After a day outdoors, a scoop of homemade ice cream makes a fitting reward.
Exploring Lake County? Plan a detour into town.
Places that have lasted for generations are worth supporting, and a sundae is an easy way to do it.
Address: 5225 S M-37, Baldwin, MI 49304
12. Luca Pastry, Canton, Michigan
Lobster tails sound like seafood, but at Luca Pastry they’re dessert. These Italian pastries have a layered, shell-like shape and a rich cream filling.
They’re a major draw at this Canton bakery. If you’ve never tried one, this is a good place to start.
Cannoli and cheesecakes fill out the Italian-inspired counter. Beautifully decorated pastries give you plenty of choices for a mixed box.
Hosting a party? Luca also makes celebration cakes for birthdays and special events.
Smaller desserts work well for building a sampler to share with friends.
Not everyone wants ice cream on a road trip. For anyone craving traditional Italian sweets, this bakery offers a great alternative.
Canton sits west of Detroit, close to major highways. That makes it easy to stop on your way into or out of the metro area.
Grab a lobster tail for yourself and a few cannoli for the ride, since sharing is optional.
Address: 44282 Ford Rd, Canton, MI 48187
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