If you’re headed to Toronto, Winnipeg or Regina and have a sweet tooth, check these out.
Life is Sweet, Toronto is an establishment of sugary goodness and the mom-and-pop feel of the place got my attention. As for the health factor—Life is Sweet bakes up delicious, beautiful, simple and clean ingredient cupcakes that somehow carry less guilt for me than a typical cupcake.
I discovered Life is Sweet Bakery on 2345 Queen Street East in Toronto, not too far from the beach one summer while visiting friends. I had some free time and wandered all the little shops of this area, happening across the cutest little bakery. Inside the aesthetic was a chic country farm kitchen and I adored it the minute I walked in. The chalkboard on the wall displayed a short list of large and mini cupcakes of the most basic but delicious flavours: vanilla, chocolate, Earl Grey, lemon, coconut, red velvet. I purchased an Earl Grey cupcake and ate it immediately in the shop, where I stood. And then—purchased a dozen more, packed safely for the airplane by the owner. This was around 2011. I have brought back many cupcakes from Life is Sweet in a box tied with pretty ribbons. The title of this shop always reminds me that it’s not just about cupcakes—it’s also about life and the enjoyment of it, in little and big bites. However, the cupcakes are pretty darn delicious!
I haven’t been there in a while but when I do venture back to that part of the country I will knock on their door.
The Green Spot, Regina is famous for their gooey, buttery, caramelized cinnamon buns. They are made fresh every Wednesday and Saturday and they always sell out! The woman at the counter is pushy but I think that’s because she believes in her product and she has every right to. The Green Spot has, hands down, the best cinnamon buns in the province. And let me tell you I have done some serious research on this subject. I challenge anyone to find me a better cinnamon bun in Saskatchewan. A word of warning: the woman at the counter takes her job very seriously and will upsell cinnamon buns every single time. So I walk in wanting two and leave with six? And? I don’t see the problem here.
Bronuts & Coffee, Winnipeg is a discrete little shop across from an alley collaged with event flyers for everything from art shows, music gigs and junk for sale. Bronuts and Coffee has a minimal space which makes me focus on what matters—donuts. Almost every single stop in Winnipeg includes a detour to this donut shop which I need to get to early because they have often run out. This doesn’t surprise me. Although they have amazing combinations of flavours, my favourite will always be the crème brûlée donut, where they take a delicious dessert—the crème brûlée and wrap it in an amazing fresh donut. Then if that wasn’t enough they cover it with that crunch sugar coating you would find on top of a crème brûlée. Biting into it, hearing the shattered glaze, and having my mouth filled with the delicious sweet center is an experience all its own. My friend once witnessed me enjoy one of these creations and felt like a third party on a date with me and my donut.
You won’t regret it popping in to any of these places!
As always, thank you for reading lovelies.
Angie Counios 
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