Lincoln is a great place for those with sweet tooth! Local sugar artisans have carved out many special niches that make favorite treats seem new again. 

Lincolnites know nothing brightens up a tedious workday like receiving a chocolate brown box wrapped in a bow. There’s something about smelling and feeling the warmth of freshly baked cookies before you can even see them. This is the experience Tricia Ward, a.k.a. “The Cookie Lady,” envisioned when she started delivering fresh-from-the-oven cookies all over town through her business, The Warm Cookie Company. Guests are welcome to stop by the shop near Pioneers and Hwy 2. But be prepared, the fresh smell of cookies will engulf you! It’s a favorite for kids with a cozy atmosphere and chalkboard tables for doodling between cookie crumbs. Sending warm cookies and milk comes with no delivery fee, so it’s no surprise that deliveries are the bulk of their business. Tricia’s daughter, Sharice, now owns the business and has embodied her parents' motto of changing lives one cookie at a time. 

On another note, it’s sad someone may struggle to satisfy their sweet tooth because of a dietary restriction. Thanks to Angela Garbacz, Lincolnites don’t have that problem. As their merch states, they specialize in “buns, buns, buns.” Better yet, their offerings are always changing with the seasons and holidays. With vegan and gluten-free options on hand, their perfectly Instagram-able shops are always hopping. The self-proclaimed “woman-powered bakery in the Great Plains” has received numerous national accolades. Perhaps the most impressive, Angela was crowned the “Most Innovative Woman in Food and Drink” by Food and Wine magazine. Start with a sweet bun and coffee from the original Goldenrod shop before heading across the street for the College View Farmers Market held on Sundays during the summer. Goldenrod’s second location recently opened in The Bay near downtown, which is known for its skate park, coffee, art and community. 

Moving on, 402 is the Lincoln area code, and it’s also Lincoln’s newest small-batch, craft ice-cream shop. With their first shop in the Haymarket exploding with loyal followers, they have now expanded into south Lincoln just off 56th and Pine Lake. They have creative flavors like “Cereal Milk”  that varies in taste from Fruity Pebbles, Cap’n Crunch and Frosted Flakes. 402’s uniqueness keeps patrons coming often to see what they have up their sleeve. The owner, Tyler, prides himself on using the most premium ingredients and locally sourcing whenever possible. 

Finally, if you think good chocolate is an art form, look no further than Lulubee Chocolates. These artisanal bonbons are nearly too pretty to eat – nearly. Gaylene, the “Chief Willy Wonka” of Lulubee’s, has one goal when you bite into one of her works of art: She wants you to say, “Oh…oh…wow!” Sure, you can get the standard flavors inside a box of these chocolates, but why not try one of their mouth explosions such as horchata, PB & J, rosemary caramel, matcha tea, strawberry balsamic and coconut curry? Lulubee just opened their first storefront this year, and their chocolates are also conveniently located in many local shops across town. 

In addition to these four local staples, we also gathered a comprehensive list to help satisfy sweet tooths all over Lincoln. Check them out!

The Warm Cookie
Warm cookies and free delivery

Goldenrod Pastries
Dietary-inclusive buns and baked goods

(402) Creamery
Small-batch scoop ice cream

Lulubee
Artisanal chocolates and bon bons

Le Quartier Bakery and Café
Artisan breads, desserts and pastries

Zestos
Ice cream cones and shakes

Misky Bakery
Custom cakes, cup cakes and sweets

Cupcakes and More
Cupcakes, cakes and cake pops

UNL Dairy Store
Handmade ice cream made by UNL students

Butterfly Bakery
Custom cakes, pastries and decorated sugar cookies

Gratitude Cafe and Bakery
Baked goods and vegetarian food

Scoops
Ice cream and edible cookie dough

The Cookie Company
Cookies, muffins and rolls

Baba Bakery
Baklava, pastries and Middle-Eastern breads

The Chocolate Season
Artisan chocolates, sweets and espresso

Pan Dulce Bakery
Mexican pastries and breads

Ivanna Cone
Handmade ice cream and waffle cones

Rabbit Hole Bakery
Small-batch baking and sweets

Grateful Bread
Vegetarian baked goods

Licorice International
Licorice from around the world

Buttercup Bakery
Pies, cakes and pastries

Dairy Joe’s
Hand-scooped ice cream and coffee

Jerusalem Bakery
Central American baked goods

High Society Cheesecake
Handcrafted cheesecake

Freezing Thai Rolled Ice Cream
Thai rolled ice cream