Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in the Northwoods

There's something about the crisp Northwoods air that makes a sweet treat taste even sweeter. Maybe it's the way a cold nose meets a warm mug, or how a scoop of ice cream feels like a small rebellion against winter's chill. In the Hayward area, indulgence isn't just allowed — as any northerner knows, it's practically required. The charming spots below turn splendid sweets into memories worth savoring.

Classic Scoops & Sugar Rushes

Sundaes with Annabell and Charlotte, Hayward 

Right on Hayward’s Main Street, this charming parlor serves 44 premium flavors of Wisconsin's famous Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, including fun seasonals, like gingerbread and eggnog. It's the kind of place where decisions feel deliciously impossible and double scoops are always justified. Beyond the cones, you'll find popcorn for the road and souvenirs that'll make you smile long after the ice cream’s gone. The vibe is pure simplicity, where kids beg for sprinkles and adults secretly want them too.

Firehouse Bakery & Deli, Hayward 

If you thought old-school bakeries were a thing of the past, that’s simply not so in Hayward. Step inside Firehouse Bakery & Deli, and you're met with glass cases filled with hand-frosted long johns, caramel rolls stretching wider than your palm, and cookies that look almost too pretty to eat. Rows of fresh-baked bread loaves line the back wall, filling the air with that unmistakable yeasty warmth. It's carb heaven, simply put. Tip: snag one of those cream cheese-filled croissants before they disappear.

Tremblay's Sweet Shop, Hayward 

That fire-engine-red exterior isn't just for show, it's a promise of the whimsy waiting inside. For more than 55 years, Tremblay’s Sweet Shop has been crafting handmade fudge, truffles and chocolates that range from elegant to playful. The crimson decor feels almost magical, like stumbling into a vintage soda fountain. Family-owned and operated, Tremblay’s high-end truffles share shelf space with colorful sour treats and old-fashioned taffies, proving that sugar doesn't care about your age.

Farm-Fresh & Artisan

Farmstead Creamery & Cafe, Hayward 

Welcome to the art of fika, that Swedish tradition of pausing life to enjoy something sweet with people you care about. Open Wednesdays through Saturdays, Farmstead Creamery & Cafe serves Italian gelato alongside coffee drinks and an ever-changing "treat of the day" from their farm-side “Fika Stop,” where the world slows down for a bit. And if you visit during the summer, and time it just right, you might catch one of their wood-fired pizza evenings — because why not extend fika into dinner?

Tilly's Pies, Cable

Tilly's Pies, located in Cable, is an institution. This bakery was opened by Trudi Rebsamen in honor of her late husband, Hall of Fame cyclist Steve “Tilly” Tilford, and is a popular cycling stop in the area. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat in the moment, or a whole pie to take home, Tilly’s has it all. Their coconut cream will show up in your dreams, the blueberry streusel strikes that perfect sweet-tart balance, and the chocolate walnut stout is exactly as decadent as it sounds. Be sure to reserve your favorite flavor in advance — these beauties go fast. And as you walk out the door with your to-go treat, know the proper goodbye: "Peace, joy and pie."

Mayana Chocolate, Spooner

Worth the drive to Spooner, Mayana Chocolate isn't just any ol’ chocolate shop, chef Daniel Herskovic trained under master chocolatiers in France before landing in Wisconsin, where he and his wife Tamara create combinations that scoop up national awards. If you're like most people, you'll stand there reading flavor descriptions until your mouth waters: Heavens to Bacon, Coffee Break, Mayan Spice, Abu Dhabi. Each candy bar uses the finest ingredients, because mediocre chocolate simply isn't an option at Mayana.

Hungry for something savory, too? Check out our guide to hidden gem restaurants in Hayward and Cable for local spots where the flavors are just as memorable.