Must-Visit Sweet Treat Spots in Minocqua

This Northwoods community might lure you in with its outdoor adventures but after a day of fishing or cross-country skiing with your crew, there’s no better reward than a sweet one. Whether your palate craves a slice of cheesecake drizzled with berry sauce, a fresh-out-of-the-oven cookie or a custom ice-cream sundae, there’s something to satisfy every sweet craving. Local culinary artists – warm, welcoming, and proud of their mouthwatering masterpieces—are ready to tempt your taste buds and share their delicious delights. 

Bosacki’s Chocolates and More 

Whether it’s for a customized assortment to gift a friend or you split a box with travel companions, Chocolates and More’s Cathy Bosacki and Colleen Pfeifer whip up concoctions using family recipes, such as “pecan critters” (pecans topped with chocolate), cream-filled chocolates (maple, vanilla and coconut) and fudge and mint meltaways. English Toffee and sea-salt caramels are top sellers, so grab ‘em if you see them.  

Boardwalk Ice Cream & Fudge  

Ditch the classic ice cream flavors—like Old Fashioned Vanilla and Butter Pecan—and head to Boardwalk Ice Cream & Fudge, tucked into a cheese shop called The Cheeseboard. Explore flavors you won’t find just anywhere courtesy of Wisconsin’s own Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream. Heaps of Love (brownies, Oreos and cookie dough rolled in vanilla ice cream, with chocolate and caramel ripples) and Lemon Meringue (blending fresh lemons with marshmallow ice cream) are just two delicious options.  

Minocqua Popcorn & Puffs 

Instead of the typical flavors—like caramel or cheese—grab a bag of one of their offbeat, sweet concoctions of puffs or popcorn to share with friends, such as Lemon Bar Puff (for a tart-filled explosion in your mouth) or Maple Pancake (made with real maple syrup, this breakfast staple is transformed into a buttery caramel corn). These are also perfect road-trip snacks to keep everyone in the car happy. 

Briq’s Soft Serve 

This family-owned stand sources milk from family farms to make soft-serve ice cream and the menu’s pure nirvana for sweet-tooth fans, whether it’s a Pie Crust sundae (pieces of key-lime pie or banana-cream pie—just two examples—are swirled into vanilla soft-serve), or a flurrie with sugar-y cotton candy or Cocoa Pebbles folded in. Its “One Pound Cone” is so monster-sized it might take you and your BFF to eat it all. 

Dan’s Minocqua Fudge 

For nearly 60 years, this fudge shop has dished out a sweet treat that’s part of many family-vacation memories. And now, they have a second shop on Highway 51 South, in addition to the original Main Street location, where ice cream is made fresh. Skip the standard chocolate for a fudgy delight that strikes more than one flavor note, such as chocolate peanut butter or macadamia turtle. All in all, there are 16 fudge flavors to choose from. 

Settler’s Mill Adventure Golf and Frozen Custard 

Since 1999, this miniature-golf attraction has been a go-to spot for families and friends to enjoy a sweet treat after a friendly game on its 18-hole course. Look for the blue-and-white-striped awning near the video arcade (a huge hit with teens). Dig into a scoop, cone or sundae of frozen custard, available in vanilla, chocolate and a flavor of the day, topped with your sweet vice of choice (Oreos or Nerds? Or maybe your favorite chocolate candy?).  

Kilwins 

This sweet-shop brand is an iconic feature in many resort towns nationwide, and a must-stop destination in downtown Minocqua. For groups with differing ideas about the best way to eat chocolate, there’s fudge, ice-cream cones, chocolate-covered pretzels and chocolate bark, plus the timeless joy of saltwater taffy. Drop by after dinner (the shop stays open late) to wrap the day with a sweet ending.