Coffee & Treats in Springfield

Head baker Lisa Cothran crafts frosting-topped confections and custom pies and cakes from scratch using top-secret recipes garnered during a lifelong love of baking. Inside the pale-blue shop, silver serving trays set off the colorful frosting of signature cupcakes. The shop always supplies a core menu of client favorites alongside a rotating selection of unique flavor combinations, seasonal varieties, and preemie cakes needing special attention. Lisa intersperses her selection of classic and miniature cupcakes with cookies and a listing of cakes and pies she can craft upon request. The shop also connects with clients by hosting a variety of events, allowing patrons to get their hands sugary while decorating cupcakes or convincing gingerbread men of the fashionableness of frosted cravats.

Named both for the bakery's 21 flavors and as a nod to the owners' son, who has Down syndrome—a disorder stemming from an extra copy of the 21st chromosome—TwentyOne Cakes crafts confections of every size within its sky-and-toffee-hued café. The lineup of seasonal flavors, such as german chocolate, gingerbread, and maple bacon, takes on colorful frosting and chatty personalities as it transforms into full cakes, three sizes of cupcakes, and bite-size cake balls. The eatery's brigade of tables mingles with a pair of comfy armchairs to give patrons respite during sugar comas, and free WiFi keeps brains busy in between sips of coffee or tea. As part of the company's mission to bring acceptance and awareness of individuals with Down syndrome, 10 percent of each purchase at TwentyOne Cakes goes to benefit Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks.

Heroes Coffee roasts, blends, and brews gourmet coffees from around the globe, giving back whenever possible by sharing profits with humanitarian organizations. The shop's artisan roasts fill mugs with flavors that range from light, citrusy notes to dark, brooding cowbell solos. Monin syrups and sauces transform lattes into potable sweets, and Dr. Smoothie wares infuse smoothies with luscious fruits, such as pineapples, mangoes, and blackberries. In addition to serving its coffee drinks at its own retail shops, Heroes Coffee fortifies other cafés with Astoria espresso machines, paper cups, and shot-put-ready airpots.