​Sweet treat destinations in Fargo-Moorhead and beyond

By Rick Gion

rickgion@gmail.com

After a very inspiring conversation with Kayla Houchin of Sonder Bakehouse a few weeks ago, I decided that it’s an appropriate time to write a column about some of the sweet people who are involved in the sweet treat industry here.

This is a different culinary angle for me. Yes, I do have a sweet tooth, but the focus of these columns is usually about the savory side of life. Since the sugar industry is very robust here in the Red River Valley, it’s only fitting to switch taste senses once and awhile. I’ll describe a few of my favorite local sweet treat dealers below.

If you haven’t checked out Sonder Bakehouse in West Fargo yet, be sure it makes your next food tour. It’s tucked away in a new part of West Fargo that features hip business condos. The owner, Kayla Houchin, is extremely passionate about her products and also about public service. She is an inspiring person. Her cakes, cookies and macarons are eye-catching and taste just as good. She is also involved with a nonprofit that helps bring clean drinking water to parts of the world where it’s most needed. Keep a close eye on Sonder Bakehouse. It’s an up-and-coming local spot and is worth seeking out.

Nichole’s Fine Pastry & Cafe is a must stop for anyone with a sweet tooth. By the way, the chefs there also don’t slack in the savory department. Nichole’s was a 2024 James Beard Award semi-finalist for outstanding bakery. Keep in mind, this was not just a Midwest regional nomination, it was for a national nomination. In 2021, Nichole’s was featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” The cakes, cookies, croissants, gelato, pastries, pies, tarts and unique treats at Nichole’s can’t be beat. Owner, Nichole Hensen, has managed this business for over 20 years now. She’s one of the hardest working people in the food business here. Hensen is an impressive and persevering entrepreneur.

The Luna network of restaurants here in Fargo-Moorhead have their own sweet treats dealer. If you’ve ever eaten one of the unique desserts at Luna Fargo or a fun piece of cake at Sol Ave. Kitchen in Moorhead, chances are that you’ve tried Mandy Dolney’s creative concoctions. She’s got a knack for turning traditional desserts into something special. With the upcoming opening of Nova Eatery & Supper Club in downtown Fargo, Dolney will surely be hard at work ensuring desserts are on point. This new restaurant is a part of the Luna network of establishments, along with House of Noods + Buns in Brewhalla, Luna Fargo on south University, Luna Market in Brewhalla, Mangata in Brewhalla, Sol Ave. Kitchen in north Moorhead, and Unicorn Park Fine Foodery in Brewhalla.

You don’t have to live near Carrington, North Dakota to enjoy the delicious gelato from Cows & Co. Creamery. All it takes is a trip to Brewhalla, which I consider to be Fargo’s palace of cool. Upon arrival at the palace, make a beeline for the Cows & Co. kiosk. This gelato is no joke and is some of the best I’ve consumed. It’s top tier. Yes, North Dakotans can make good gelato. Go ahead, fight me with all your food rules.

I met the owner, Maartje Murphy, at the 2024 Fargo Hotdish Festival. Her hotdish won top honors at that event. As you may know, Cows & Co. also makes great cheeses. It was the secret weapon in last year’s winning hotdish. Cows & Co. does not slack in the savory department either. The variety of good goudas is impressive.

If these spots don’t appease you, there are many more potential sweet stops to make in the Fargo-Moorhead area including Black Cat Bakery in Moorhead, Breadsmith, Jen’s Bakery in south Fargo, K’s Bakery in south Fargo, Mehl’s Gluten-Free Bakery in south Fargo, Moorhead Dairy Queen, Sandy’s Donuts, Silver Lining Creamery, Sons of Norway, and Sweet Dreams Confections. Some of the local grocery stores and many other restaurants here also make fantastic sweet treats.

Regionally, other recommendations come to mind. The following should be on your list if you’re a food tourist like me.

In East Grand Forks, Minnesota, a stop at Molly Yeh’s restaurant, Bernie’s, is a smart venture. The sweet treats served there are top notch. Yeh has become a nationally recognized food celebrity and lives in a rural area close to East Grand Forks. Her new cookbook, “Sweet Farm,” proves her baking prowess. It’s also an ode to the sugar beet-producing farm where she resides. She and I were judges at the 2024 Fargo Hotdish Festival. Yeh is a class act, and her sweet treats are excellent.

If you make it out to Bismarck, North Dakota, be sure to stop into Brick Oven Bakery in the downtown area. I have never met the owners of this fine establishment. However, the staff there have always been very friendly. The vast variety of croissants and tasty danishes are friendly too. This cafe also serves some of the best knoephla soup in the state of North Dakota. It goes well with a slice of the freshly baked bread.

MW Pastry in Vergas, Minnesota has now opened for the season. It’s a small little shop just off the main drag in downtown. MW Pastry is managed by young pastry chef, Madison Waller. After attending a prestigious culinary school not too long ago, she returned to Vergas to start her own sweet treats shop. There is also a savory side to MW. This past winter, MW Pastry “On Ice” breakfast burritos were available via preorder on Sunday mornings in January for pickup near the north Lake Lida access. If the fishing was slow, the burritos were hot.

This column should surely keep sweet treat seekers busy for a while. There are plenty of places to check out. Not only are some of these sweet treats special around here, the people who make them are too.

Rick Gion administers a Facebook food group called “Fargo-Moorhead Eats” that’s dedicated to the area’s great cooks and cuisine. The group now has over 46,000 followers. Check it out, join, and feel free to post items about your local culinary adventures and home cooking. And, while you’re at it, also join the Instagram and TikTok pages. Rick is also a featured guest on Prairie Public Radio’s “Main Street.” His weekly segment about food called “Prairie Plates” airs between 3 and 4 p.m. every Wednesday.