Pies are anything but humble. Whether it's a Seattle shop that imagines pies on sticks or in jars or a San Francisco baker who likes his pies on the spicy side, the pie has arrived.

From the bakeries and brunches from the Pacific Northwest to New York City, we've found the best reasons to roll out of bed in the morning. Try a warm slice of brioche sweetened with almond paste.

We're returning the favour and celebrating cakes in every form, flavour and size. Take a slice of inspired, traditional French cakes from New York City, and masterpieces from a San Francisco mainstay.

Trigger your fondest food memories with flavours you never remembered in our favourite picks for re-visited retro and nostalgic desserts.

Craving cookies that are too cool for your childhood cookie jar? Nibble on a crumbly, oat-flecked peanut butter sandwich cookie in New York, and a psychedelic sugar cookie from Brooklyn.

We've found the top spots to keep the kid in you hopped up on sweets. From boxed supermarket desserts with flavours like black sesame or passion fruit, to the freshest of fruit pops.