Coffee & Treats in Norristown

After Vernon Rudolph acquired a closely guarded yeast-raised Krispy Kreme Doughnuts recipe from a New Orleans pastry chef, he shared his appreciation for delectable disks by opening shop in 1937 and selling the first Krispy Kremes to grocery stores. The wafting aroma of glazed Krispy Kreme Doughnuts increased demand for the sweet treats and caused Rudolph to redesign his building's layout to include a walkup window, Rudolph was able to sell them directly to any passing customer who demanded a snack. Later, he joined forces with equipment engineers, creating baking equipment that guaranteed uniform shape and dough consistency.

Rudolph's departure to a pastry-filled afterlife in 1973 did not stop Krispy Kreme from expanding into a global sensation and continuing to innovate. In recent years, the company enhanced the treat-retrieving experience by introducing a Hot Light that, when illuminated, indicates when Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are fresh off the conveyor belt.

As Sweet As Can Be bundles together candy, chocolate, cookies, and an assortment of other edible sugar delivery systems to create customized gift packages ($20+) that sate even the most sprinkle-flecked of sweet-teeth. Chocolate-dipped Oreos, almond "moo" bark, and chocolate-dipped marshmallows ($16.95 per pound) intermingle with chocolate-covered pretzels ($14 for a box of 13) on the store's mouthwatering menu of confections, confits, and California sunshine, as well as non-traditional sweet eats such as chocolate-covered popcorn. If it can be dipped in fudge, drizzled with icing, or smothered in sprinkles, it can likely be found on As Sweet As Can Be's candy catalog. And if it can't, the store's candyteers will do their best to make it for you special.

After transitioning out of a career in the entertainment and record industries, owner Jan Marc Dorfman jokes that he began looking for a new way to “sell round things with holes in the middle.” He fully embraced this new opportunity when he founded Delancey Street Bagels in November of 1989, originally stocking his shelves with 18 bagel varieties and a coffee machine that could only brew two pots at a time. Since then, he has expanded the selection to feature 22 different bagels—including cinnamon raisin, sourdough, and asiago cheese—as well as a full espresso bar with roasted arabica beans from organic and international producers as far away as Guatemala and Kenya. The staff fills the rest of the menu with hot deli sandwiches and an array of baked goods that can include muffins, cinnamon rolls, and scones alongside seasonal items.

Based on Delancey Street in New York City’s lower east side, a bustling corridor for local sidewalk vendors and pushcarts, the shop emanates nostalgia for an old-school marketplace with exposed brickwork and sepia-tone exit signs above the doors.

Every week, 16 new flavors of frozen yogurt fill So Fun! Frozen Yogurt's coolers, from the cheery orange swirl of mango tart to the decadent savory sweetness of Reese's peanut-butter cup. Customers grab a cup and help themselves to swirls of varied flavors, mixing and matching or sticking with a single base. Next, they progress to a toppings bar, where they layer yogurt with a scoop of cereal for an added crunch or slices of fresh fruit for an easier time smuggling the dessert into the gym. At the register, treats ring up by their weight, rendering the ratio of toppings to yogurt or yogurt to dinner completely up to the customer. Since the yogurt contains calcium, protein, and active live cultures, it can be considered a healthy alternative to many traditional desserts. Sugar-free and dairy-free options also lighten the calorie count.

The titular baker of Allison's Cups and Cakes molds red velvet, carrot, or other cake flavors into custom confections bedecked in bright fondant. From specialty cakes shaped like Princess Belle to novelty confections that mimic Louis Vuitton purses, her unique sweets add humor and color to the tables of birthday gatherings or wedding receptions. Rich buttercream frosting tops dainty cupcakes for a finishing touch or slips between layers of cake to break up fights over which one is moister.

The friendly staff at MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream and Treatery churns dozens of creamy flavors fresh each day before enhancing frozen creations with inventive mix-ins and toppings. They power through shivers to fold nuts, candy, and fruit into ice-cream varieties such as chocolate banana, and sprinkle sugary toppings over ice-cream pizzas, one of Maggie Moo's signature creations. Aside from other avant-garde dessert offerings—which include ice-cream cupcakes—the staff slings frozen favorites including cones, creamy milkshakes, and ice-cream cakes.

Occasional appearances by Miss Maggie Moo, the business's iconic cow, delight customers. She also lends her services to fundraising efforts for local schools and charities.