Sugar Bakery, West Roxbury

Housemade buttercream frosting sits atop cupcakes with as much majesty as the snowcapped peaks of the Andes. These monumental treats—which, according to the Boston Globe, come in 60 rotating flavors—aren't the only bit of magic up Sugar Bakery’s sleeve. Croissants, coffee rolls, and lemon and fig squares fill the display case alongside nearly 20 varieties of cookie, from classic chocolate chunk and oatmeal to the shop’s signature raspberry-tart brambles. Customers can also preorder fudge cakes, strawberry shortcakes, and chocolate-mousse crumb cakes or skip the sweets altogether and take home a baguette of freshly baked bread to use for a lengthy sandwich or edible baseball bat.