Local bakeries tempt us with an array of breads and desserts
You’ll know you’ve arrived at one of these diet-busting establishments before you ever enter the premises. The fragrances of sugar and cinnamon, of butter and yeast will greet you before you open the door.
Though several local businesses specialize in producing one particular baked product — pies or cakes or donuts, for instance — these bakeries offer a variety of goods to choose from, both sweet and savory.
Loosen your belt and imagine inhaling the tempting scents and the tasty treats at these local bakeries.
Old Mill Bread Company
The Old Mill Bread Company on Cedar Bluff makes a wide array of loaves ranging from cranberry nut to jalapeño cheddar. You’ll also find cookies, brownies, muffins, pies and more. “Old Mill bakes the best Heidelberg rye bread on the planet,” according to one customer.
432 N Cedar Bluff Rd | (865) 470-7342
Everything Iced makes cakes and cupcakes, cookies, brownies, fudge, scones, pies and other pastries at its on Middlebrook Pike. The bakery specializes in custom han 100 cake flavors from which to choose.
5306 N Middlebrook Pike | (865) 200-5935
Free Reign Bakery
Baked-goods lovers with food allergies can indulge freely at Free Reign Bakery in Powell, where its products are always free of what the owner calls the Big 8 allergens. “I love having a good place to take my girls for treats,” says one mom.
3531 W Emory Rd | (865) 947-4440
Magpies Bakery in Happy Holler has been making pies, cheesecakes, cookies, cupcakes and more since 1992; they add king cakes at Mardi Gras, pumpkin pie in the fall and other specialties throughout the year. The bakery also is known for its beautiful, customized wedding cakes.
846 N Central St | (865) 673-0471
Mama C’s Gluten Free Goodies in South Knoxville also offers dairy-free, vegan, paleo and keto options. Says one fan: “My son and I are gluten intolerant, and this cake amazed us.”
7355 Chapman Hwy | (865) 851-7578
Paysan Bread & Bagels
Paysan Bread sells sourdough breads, bagels, pastries, quiches, sandwiches and more at its location in Happy Holler. One fan said: “La baguette et la Cannelé de Bordeaux tastes like my childhood in France, where we would walk along the Seine to pick up fresh bread at the open air market.”
804 Tyson St | (865) 394-9840
Benefit Your Life Bakery & Cafe 
Benefit Your Life Bakery & Cafe in Farragut offers a variety of gluten-free baked goods, as well as dairy-free, nut-free, paleo and vegan. Their selections include scones, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, donuts, quiches and smoothies. “The biscuits are indistinguishable from those made with wheat flour,” brags a fan.
10420 Kingston Pike | (865) 288-3193
Rita’s Bakery is a family-owned shop in Fountain City that’s been turning out sweets ranging from its famous thumbprint cookies to custom cakes, pies, petit fours, brownies, breads and cheesecakes since 1993. Customers praise the eclairs, strawberry cream cheese pastries, cinnamon rolls and white sliced bread. “I will be a forever customer,” said one loyal baked goods lover.
3023 Tazewell Pike | (865) 688-5484
VG’s Bakery in Farragut offers artisan breads, cakes and cookies, pastries and pies. Its kolaches (pronounced koh-lah-cheese), savory Polish-style pastries filled with jalapeno pimiento cheese or bacon cream cheese chive, are one of its specialties, as are its fruit-filled hand pies. Don’t leave without some of their giant and delectable cookies either. “This is the best-kept secret in Knoxville,” said one customer. “We will return!”
11552 Kingston Pike | (865) 671-8077
The Village Bakery in South Knoxville may be best known for its custom cakes and cupcakes, but its menu extends to breads, cookies, pies and pastries as well. Customers brag about its thumbprint cookies, petit fours, caramel walnut fudge and very reasonable prices.”Everything is great, but be sure to grab a couple dozen thumbprint cookies,” said a cookie monster.
6202 Chapman Hwy | (865) 577-9616