Photo by Sarah Merly
While ice cream is the predominant dessert of the summer, Apopka’s creativity has ushered in unique innovations for sweet-toothed central Floridians. Be prepared for a new flavor at every turn!
The Apopka Chief used Yelp, Google reviews, Facebook reviews and staff knowledge to compile this list of sweet goodness.
While Aunt Gingibread’s storefront opened in 2016, Aunt Gingi baked a career in custom cakes two decades earlier, according to the website. Thanks to its awards from Nextdoor, Best of Apopka, and more, the bakery shows no sign of slowing down.
“I ordered a cake for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary and it was wonderful!” Kirsten Mercer said in a Facebook review. “The folks at the bakery were so kind and helpful during the ordering process and they made sure the cake was super secure for transport.”
Gingibread’s also offers cobbler, cookies, and more for those wanting something smaller.
“We stopped in for a quick snack, and the chocolate chip butterscotch cookies are amazing!” Yelp reviewer Jonathan H. said. “Everything you could want in a cookie!”
Location: 409 S Park Avenue
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
Mochinut strives to blend dessert traditions from Eastern and Western cultures through the mochi donut, according to the Mochinut website. Although the mochi donut originally appeared in Hawaii, guests may find the combination of Japanese rice cake and American-style donut at Mochinuts across the U.S.
“Hands down the best doughnut in Apopka!” Yelp reviewer Matthew K. said. “The doughnuts here are always fresh, soft, and packed with flavor. You can tell they’re made with care.”
Guests at Mochinut can also enjoy boba tea, potato tornadoes and Korean corn dogs.
“I loved the potato on a stick and my half mozzarella cheese and hot Cheeto Korean dog was too much fun to eat,” Amy A. said on Yelp.
Location: 2250 E Semoran Boulevard
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.
Spooky décor and waffles may not seem to go together, but Parlor Kitchen owner Ryan Whaley makes the pairing look as natural as possible. For him, each aspect of the restaurant reflects the story of life.
“Parlor’s world is eerie but inviting,” Whaley said on his website. “It’s a place of real contradictions, just like life.”
Whaley’s philosophy of paradoxes has brought many curious guests to his shop, which sells everything from cookie-stuffed waffles to corn mochi. And Hall’s on 5th customers are grateful for his creations.
“I’ve had the opportunity of trying his [Ryan’s] multi-award winning dessert — an ube stuffed waffle with browned butter & sage cookie topped with roasted marshmallow fluff and a cinnamon glaze,” Yelp reviewer Anna L. said. “Holy WOW, this dessert is insane and it’s no wonder he’s won so many accolades for this delectable, unique treat.”
Even the typically less adventurous guest can enjoy Parlor.
“I’m a very picky dessert person, but I’m absolutely falling in love with this place,” Google reviewer Tina Tran said. “Their waffle is on another level crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and you can smell that rich brown butter the moment it’s served.”
Location: Hall’s on 5th, 15 E 5th Street
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.
For an ice cream shop, Topper’s knows how to keep their customers guessing—and coming back for more. Flavors change each week across each location in central Florida, ranging from German chocolate cake, cinnamon spice, and more.
“Do yourself a favor and sign up for their emails so you know the current deals going on and flavors of the month,” Amanda C. said in her Yelp review. “The ice cream is fabulous.”
Topper’s sells sundaes and frozen drinks in addition to the classic cones. According to Geneva B. of Yelp, four-legged friends can join in with pup cups.
“Each spoonful offered a burst of delicious flavor,” Google local guide Alexander Charleston said. “It was the perfect treat on a warm afternoon.”
Location: 512 S Hunt Club Boulevard
Hours: 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sun.
The charm of Vampire Penguin lies in the challenge of describing its specialty dessert—not quite ice cream, not quite shaved ice, but somewhere in the middle, according to Erin P. of Yelp.
“It’s like frozen velvet,” she said in her review.
Vampire Penguin describes the dessert as shaved snow, and it comes in a variety of colors and flavors. Its signature menu item, the Vampire Penguin, combines green tea snow, almonds, strawberries and condensed milk. For those wanting some spice, the Mexican Candy includes mango snow, watermelon chunks, tajin, chamoy, and caramel sauce.
“We can never decide, so we always buy the sampler where you can choose 4 different ones,” Google local guide Shanai said in her review. “So good!”
Location: 515 N Park Avenue
Hours: 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Sun.
To support these dessert shops and other local businesses, vote in the 2025 Best of Apopka Reader’s Choice Awards at https://theapopkachief.com/best-of-apopka/#//.
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