Unique Sweets

Pies, are anything but humble in the hands of these innovative bakers.

Of 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.

We're returning the favor and celebrating cakes in every form, flavor and size. Take a slice of traditional French cakes from New York City, masterpieces from a San Francisco mainstay. Cakes never deserved their pedestal more.

Indulge in caramel corn in San Francisco, a Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie, the creamiest of cheesecakes to have all to yourself, or a slice of birthday cake unlike any your mother ever made (on any day of the year).

Nibble on an oat-flecked peanut butter sandwich cookie in New York, a psychedelic sugar cookie from Brooklyn, a serious chocolate chip cookie with cocoa nibs in San Francisco, or a wacky snickerdoodle "cookie pizza" from Chicago.

We found the top spots from Seattle to New York to keep the kid in you hopped up on sweets (with the rest of the neighborhood).