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Steel City Pops
Steel City Pops
Steel City Pops/Facebook

Where to Find Splendid Sweet Treats

After-school rewards

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Steel City Pops
| Steel City Pops/Facebook

From addictive baked goods to innovative flavors of shaved ice to exotic candies and everything in between, Austin is spoiled for choice when it comes to sugary snacks. Don’t get it wrong. Health snacks like carrot sticks, dried apple slices, and homemade kale chips are all great, but sometimes you have a 3 p.m. sweet craving that just can’t be ignored. Or you want to give a special treat for a job well done (yes, we know you shouldn’t reward your children or yourself with food but…). Or maybe you—a grown adult—just want to turn a bad day around.

For times like those, these 18 spots nail it, from the over-the-top fruity masterpieces at Hay Elotes to the build-your-own ice cream adventure at Amy’s Ice Cream to the simple yet perfect Steel City Pops.

If your favorite spot is missing from the list, let us know on the tipline, in the comments below, or start a post over on the Eater Austin forum.

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Shaved Ice Island

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For those who like it sweet and cold, this tropical-themed trailer offers an impressive range of flavors from Thai Iced Tea and Creamy Cold Brew (made with Chameleon Cold Brew) to Mango Lassi and a Moscow mule-inspired option. Bonus: It is conveniently located in the parking lot of Westgate Lanes bowling alley, so you can work through that sugar high.

Bribery Bakery

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The cherry on the top of Jodi Elliott’s dessert mecca of macarons, cookies (with sprinkles!), and cakes is that a playground, lots of open space, and The Thinkery children’s museum are close by. Visit from 3 to 6 p.m. and the over 21 set can enjoy $2 off all booze.

Steel City Pops

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You may think of it as gourmet goodness on a stick. But your kids will just appreciate all the colors and flavors. Tip: All fruity pops are dairy free.

Nau's Enfield Drug

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This iconic full-service drug store and soda shop has been whipping up the classics since 1951. For an indulgent taste of nostalgia, order a malt or milkshake.

JuiceLand

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With 14 locations around the Austin area, you’re never too far from fresh juices and smoothies. The special kids’ menu includes familiars like an apple juice-banana-strawberry combo and less-sweet options with kale, spinach, and hemp protein.

Churros Co.

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This East Riverside dessert truck may not fulfill any daily nutritional needs, but consider it a foolproof remedy for a rough day. Its fried dough pairs perfectly with flavored sugars, jams, Nutella pudding dipping sauce, and ice cream.

After a day of reading, writing and arithmetic, comfort can be found in decadent rich ice cream sandwiched between two freshly baked cookies. Let the kids mix-and-match the cookies, ice cream, and toppings for extra parenting brownie points. This campus shop also serves up noteworthy milkshakes.

Crema Bakery & Cafe

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Cupcakes, cake balls, cookies, macaroons… this Brodie Lane has what it takes to make sugar-filled dreams come true.

Snow Monster

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If the name alone doesn’t attract kids, the cool-looking Taiwanese-styled snow ice (think: ice cream-meets-shaved ice) might. This spot rewards the adventurous with flavors like green tea, milk tea, and passion fruit and toppings such as boba, mochi, and red beans. Fret not, vanilla with chocolate chips is also an option.

Hay Elotes

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This tiny east side shop serves up Mexican-style fruit cups and ice cream in technicolor. Tip: The Mango Hill is best shared with a friend.

Tiny Pies

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When you want a delightfully small bite of something sweet, the handheld sweet pies, fruit tarts, Mason Jar pies, and pie pops from this small local business deliver big. Keep an eye out for the seasonal shaped treats like the winter holiday pie pops and the springtime bunny pocket pies.

Dolce Neve

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This authentic South Austin gelateria scoops 18 flavors of house-made gelato, plus there’s fruit sorbets and a coffee bar for parents who need to refuel.

MT Supermarket

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Comb the aisles at this North Lamar international grocery store and find out-of-the-ordinary Pocky flavors and fun imported Asian candies.

La Pâtisserie

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Lavender. Rose. Espresso. Salted caramel. The rainbow of flavors may rotate at this French bakery, but the high quality of the delicate macarons remains the same.

Amy's Ice Creams

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With reliably good ice cream in flavors that will please everyone’s palate, a multitude of mix-ins, and play areas at some locations, it’s no wonder this local chain is a hot spot for families.

Cherrywood Coffeehouse

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Smoothies + baked goods + a dog-friendly patio + coffee, beer, and wine for mom and dad = a near perfect afternoon destination.

Looking to try something new? This north Austin spot serves up Vietnamese-inspired ché (translation: sweet beverage, dessert soup, or pudding), bubble tea, fruit smoothies, and juices.

Shaved Ice Island

For those who like it sweet and cold, this tropical-themed trailer offers an impressive range of flavors from Thai Iced Tea and Creamy Cold Brew (made with Chameleon Cold Brew) to Mango Lassi and a Moscow mule-inspired option. Bonus: It is conveniently located in the parking lot of Westgate Lanes bowling alley, so you can work through that sugar high.

Bribery Bakery

The cherry on the top of Jodi Elliott’s dessert mecca of macarons, cookies (with sprinkles!), and cakes is that a playground, lots of open space, and The Thinkery children’s museum are close by. Visit from 3 to 6 p.m. and the over 21 set can enjoy $2 off all booze.

Steel City Pops

You may think of it as gourmet goodness on a stick. But your kids will just appreciate all the colors and flavors. Tip: All fruity pops are dairy free.

Nau's Enfield Drug

This iconic full-service drug store and soda shop has been whipping up the classics since 1951. For an indulgent taste of nostalgia, order a malt or milkshake.

JuiceLand

With 14 locations around the Austin area, you’re never too far from fresh juices and smoothies. The special kids’ menu includes familiars like an apple juice-banana-strawberry combo and less-sweet options with kale, spinach, and hemp protein.

Churros Co.

This East Riverside dessert truck may not fulfill any daily nutritional needs, but consider it a foolproof remedy for a rough day. Its fried dough pairs perfectly with flavored sugars, jams, Nutella pudding dipping sauce, and ice cream.

Moojo

After a day of reading, writing and arithmetic, comfort can be found in decadent rich ice cream sandwiched between two freshly baked cookies. Let the kids mix-and-match the cookies, ice cream, and toppings for extra parenting brownie points. This campus shop also serves up noteworthy milkshakes.

Crema Bakery & Cafe

Cupcakes, cake balls, cookies, macaroons… this Brodie Lane has what it takes to make sugar-filled dreams come true.

Snow Monster

If the name alone doesn’t attract kids, the cool-looking Taiwanese-styled snow ice (think: ice cream-meets-shaved ice) might. This spot rewards the adventurous with flavors like green tea, milk tea, and passion fruit and toppings such as boba, mochi, and red beans. Fret not, vanilla with chocolate chips is also an option.

Hay Elotes

This tiny east side shop serves up Mexican-style fruit cups and ice cream in technicolor. Tip: The Mango Hill is best shared with a friend.

Tiny Pies

When you want a delightfully small bite of something sweet, the handheld sweet pies, fruit tarts, Mason Jar pies, and pie pops from this small local business deliver big. Keep an eye out for the seasonal shaped treats like the winter holiday pie pops and the springtime bunny pocket pies.

Dolce Neve

This authentic South Austin gelateria scoops 18 flavors of house-made gelato, plus there’s fruit sorbets and a coffee bar for parents who need to refuel.

MT Supermarket

Comb the aisles at this North Lamar international grocery store and find out-of-the-ordinary Pocky flavors and fun imported Asian candies.

La Pâtisserie

Lavender. Rose. Espresso. Salted caramel. The rainbow of flavors may rotate at this French bakery, but the high quality of the delicate macarons remains the same.

Amy's Ice Creams

With reliably good ice cream in flavors that will please everyone’s palate, a multitude of mix-ins, and play areas at some locations, it’s no wonder this local chain is a hot spot for families.

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Cherrywood Coffeehouse

Smoothies + baked goods + a dog-friendly patio + coffee, beer, and wine for mom and dad = a near perfect afternoon destination.