Head to 60th Street Desserts for homemade soups, sandwiches, casseroles, pastries, cakes and coffee. Need another excuse to visit? Consider the bakery's commitment to using organic, fair-trade ingredients wherever possible.

Cookies, tiramisu, assorted pastries -- this West Seattle favorite does it all, with flair. Somehow, Alki Bakery seems to maintain a relaxed, Sunday-morning atmosphere even on days that aren't Sunday, and at times that aren't morning.

The bakery case is packed with cakes, sweets and other savory goodies, and it's a great place for a cup of coffee with friends.

The gelato they sell is as authentic as you can get without jumping on a plane to Florence. It's hard to know whether to hit the fruit flavors first or the milk-based ones, so get some of each.

Yes, the lines are insane on weekends, and yes, it's mostly the domain of tourists. But hey, cheesecake is in the chain's name, so if that's what you crave, you'll have plenty of choices.

Its name sounds like a song title, and this West Seattle's dessert shop's tiny cupcakes may cause you to sing with satisfied joy.

Locally, Cupcake Royale has done for its signature treat what Krispy Kreme did for donuts. These moist and spongy cupcakes topped generously with butter cream have a huge -- and deserved -- following.

Locally, Cupcake Royale has done for its signature treat what Krispy Kreme did for donuts. These moist and spongy cupcakes topped generously with butter cream have a huge -- and deserved -- following.

Locally, Cupcake Royale has done for its signature treat what Krispy Kreme did for donuts. These moist and spongy cupcakes topped generously with butter cream have a huge -- and deserved -- following.

Dahlia's cakes, cookies, brioche, fresh loaves and signature triple coconut cream pie are little short of sinful.

Dilettante Chocolate Cafe's rich decor beckons you to slow down, cozy up at a table for two and indulge. Order a latte and linger over a plate of delicate truffles, bread pudding or a decadent piece of cake. If you're truly the indulgent type, you can buy an entire cake on your way out the door.

Ah, gelato. Italy's answer to ice cream is a cool, delicious treat, and Gelatiamo serves it up as well as any Seattle gelateria.

Hiroki Desserts in Wallingford offers tempting cakes, lucious cookies, soft breads, its signature green-tea tiramisu and limited savory items that include a scrumptious turkey curry roll.

Lemon butter cake, citrus oat scones, zucchini bread, raisin brioche, banana ginger muffins and much, much more.

Lemon butter cake, citrus oat scones, zucchini bread, raisin brioche, banana ginger muffins and much, much more.

Furnished with cozy booths that make almost every table feel like a private dining room, this branch of a national chain is staffed with well-trained servers who make uncomplicated fun of fondue.

This Pike Place Market dessert haven is an absolute joy for gelatophiles. Owner Brian Garrity managed to obtain the recipes for approximately 350 (!) flavors from a Milanese gelato master -- yes, there is such a thing as gelato mastery -- and all the gelato is made on the premises.

This Madison Park ice-cream parlor is wonderful. And traditionalists will rejoice, as the menu includes not just the requisite root-beer float but also -- wait for it -- a chocolate malt. Among the many delicious flavors, lemon-vanilla is a standout.

Queen Anne's Scoops is an ice cream parlor that handbakes its waffle cones and offers 36 flavors. Need you hear more?

Banana cream, lemon meringue, apple crumble, strawberry rhubarb, key lime, pumpkin. Hungry yet?

Fremont's Simply Desserts doesn't mess around. Chocolate-truffle cake, carrot cake, lemon cheesecake, brownies, cupcakes, cookies -- if it's baked and sweet and sinful, this magical little shop makes it, and makes it very well.

Stephanie Crocker's first retail bakery, which she opened after previously selling to coffee shops and at farmers markets, turns out excellent brioche, cupcakes, brownies and more.

It's not surprising that many locals rate Top Pot's doughnuts as Seattle's best. They're flavorful and seem as big and airy as bicycle tires. Eat one today, wait a week, then eat another.

It's not surprising that many locals rate Top Pot's doughnuts as Seattle's best. They're flavorful and seem as big and airy as bicycle tires. Eat one today, wait a week, then eat another.

It's not surprising that many locals rate Top Pot's doughnuts as Seattle's best. They're flavorful and seem as big and airy as bicycle tires. Eat one today, wait a week, then eat another.

This retro-flavored bakery is appropriately located in the Wallingford Center, a converted 19th century schoolhouse. It's a charming affair altogether -- perfectly frosted cupcakes are sold alongside vintage party supplies.

An excellent source of Asian-style cakes in the I.D., Yummy House lives up to its endearing name.