Monday, February 08, 2021

Cotton-Top Pastries


Subject: Cotton-Top Pastries
Location: Helena, MT
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Bakeries dot the landscape of America, but there are fewer than twenty that I would call excellent. Sadly, many bakeries exclusively do fancy cakes (and I am a man who orders exactly zero fancy cakes each year) and (too) many other operations specialize mostly in hackneyed and yawn-tastic items like jellied shortbreads and butter cakes. But the handful that do it right, I have each time considered the possibility of relocating my family in order to be closer.


The most recent bakery to make my short list is Cotton-Top Pastries in Helena, MT. Operating only on Friday and Saturdays until sell out as well as special order, Cotton-Top offers a mouth-watering assortment of seasonal creations that are both ingenuous and delectable. Located at the front of Reeder's Alley and adjacent to a pioneer cabin from 1874, the shop is both quaint and beautifully decorated.


The reason I am extolling this bakery here is that aside from amazing treats, they serve excellent coffee. Serving up Revel Coffee the day of my visit (drip only). While I did not get the name of the coffee that day, it proved quite excellent, with notes of caramel, chocolate, cream, baked apple, vanilla cake, fig and some black tea, making for a super smooth coffee.


Walking out with a full bag of goodies and a long car ride ahead, I counted my blessings to have come across Cotton-Top in my travels. Whether you live in Helana or you're planning a trip nearby, definitely make a morning detour for some great coffee and baked goods worthy of their calories. 





These wonderful folks made this visit possible in part. Make sure to check them out!


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