Thanks to my husband’s insatiable sweet tooth, one of our primary missions each time we travel is to find the area’s best bakery. This habit has become such a part of our travels that it didn’t occur to me that it might be a little unusual until I started writing this post!
The result, other than the two pounds I always seem to have gained after every trip, is that I’ve become something of an expert when it comes to Franklin’s bakeries. Today, I’m sharing my finds with you. Here are a few of our favorite Franklin bakery finds:
Sugar Drop
Nothing will satisfy your sweet tooth quite like Sugar Drop. Located on Franklin Road, this whimsical bakery serves up the most wonderful cookies, cakes, brownies, cupcakes, and ice cream — But what really sets Sugar Drop apart from the competition is its Dream Shakes.
Loaded with ice cream, candy, and baked goods, one Dream Shake is easily big enough for two (or, let’s face it, three) people and the presentation is so gorgeous, you almost won’t want to eat it. Okay, that’s not true. You will DEFINITELY want to eat it. But you will also want to photograph it first!
The Coffee House at 2nd and Bridge
I’m going to let you in on a true local secret: Some of the best baked goods in all of Middle Tennessee can actually be found at The Coffee House at Second & Bridge in downtown Franklin. Baked goods aren’t on the menu there, and you never know quite what you’ll find when you arrive, but if you get there early enough, the case beside the register is filled with all kinds of house-made goodies that are, quite simply, ah-may-zing.
If you’re very lucky, you might even get to try what I consider to be Franklin’s Holy Grail of sweet treats: The Coffee House’s chess bar. I’m telling you that the chess bar is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted in my life. I honestly think they could rebrand as The Chess Bar House (Plus Coffee!) at Second & Bridge and become A-listers on the international dessert scene. Is there an international dessert scene? For the purposes of this article, let’s say yes.
Five Daughters Bakery
With multiple locations now in Nashville and Atlanta, Five Daughters Bakery is a bona fide bakery superstar — and Franklin claims its owners, Isaac and Stephanie Meek, as residents! The couple originally started the business in their Franklin home before opening their first location at The Factory at Franklin.
When you taste their 100-layer donut, you’ll instantly understand why Five Daughters quickly became such a roaring success. Franklin’s Five Daughters Bakery can still be found inside The Factory.
Hop in line and choose from flavors like Maple Glaze, Summer Berry Crisp, Chocolate Sea Salt, or my favorite — The Purist. No matter what you decide on here, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed! These donuts are truly one of my favorite treats on earth.
And yes. Isaac and Stephanie Meek do indeed have five daughters.
Crumbl Cookies
Once upon a time, my husband brought home a box of Crumbl Cookies. I have to admit; I was incredibly skeptical — After all, these cookies came from a chain bakery. They couldn’t possibly be as good as he claimed.
It only took one bite, though, for me to realize these were indeed some of the best cookies I had ever had the pleasure of tasting — and y’all? I have had a LOT of cookies!
You can find Franklin’s own Crumbl Cookies in Cool Springs. Flavors change each week and include offerings like Kentucky Butter Cake, Mallow Sandwich, and Hazelnut Mudslide. Give them a try and see if you don’t agree that these cookies are absolute perfection.
Merridee’s Breadbasket
Say ‘Franklin bakery’ to a local, and they’re likely to respond ‘Merridee’s Breadbasket instantly.’ This downtown Franklin staple was started by Merridee Erickson in a Fairview log cabin back in 1981.
In 1984, she moved her shop to an old hardware store warehouse on Fourth Avenue, where it remains today. Merridee died of cancer in 1993, but her bakery continues to be one of Middle Tennessee’s most popular gathering places for baked goods, including fresh-baked breads, pastries, cakes, pies, and more.
Triple Crown Bakery
Another Franklin bakery with an extremely devoted following is Triple Crown Bakery, also located on Fourth Avenue in downtown Franklin.
Award-winning pastry chef Alena Vaughn is a Southern California native who whips up cakes, cookies, and all kinds of imaginative pastries like homemade pop tarts, cinnamon roll croissants, and strawberry and cream cheese muffins for her loyal Franklin followers. Enjoy her treats over coffee at the bakery or order a custom cake ahead of time for your next big event.
Tiny Little Donuts
There’s nothing quite like biting into a fresh-made donut — That’s why Franklin’s Tiny Little Donuts has so many local fans. You’ll find this donut shop inside a vintage Airstream Trailer in downtown Franklin (there’s also a second location at Alexander Plaza on Murfreesboro Road), and you have to get there early to enjoy them.
Once they sell out of donuts, they close for the day! Flavors include plain, glazed, cinnamon sugar, and more, as well as seasonal flavors, and all are absolutely divine.
Make time to try these baked goods for yourself, and you may never want to leave Franklin! Bon appetit!
