Over-the-Top Desserts That Kids Will Love in Metro Detroit

When your sweet tooth is calling and you want to treat your kiddos to something extra special, look no further than these unique desserts in metro Detroit. 

The treats at these local sweet shops score top marks in presentation, taste and overall abundance. Celebrate a special occasion with one of these decadent desserts, or turn a dull day into a sweet one by sharing a treat with your family. Just be warned — these mouthwatering treats may make you realize your eyes are bigger than your stomach!

Unique desserts near me 

MACOMB COUNTY | OAKLAND COUNTY | WASHTENAW COUNTY | WAYNE COUNTY

Best desserts in Macomb County

Photo credit: Choco Mania Cafe

Macomb County eateries have plenty of desserts to wow your kids. From giant sundae cups to delicious dessert pizza, the whole family will be happy with these choices.

RELATED: Best Over-The-Top Desserts in Sterling Heights

Choco Mania Cafe

• Address: 44621 Mound Road, Sterling Heights

This cute European cafe offers popular items like crepes, macarons and rolled ice cream. If that doesn’t sweeten the deal, then you have to try the Specialty Sundae cups. The ice cream sundae features toppings with big treats like Oreo cookies and strawberries. They also have a second location in Birmingham. 

Street Sweets Bakery

• Address: 2237 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights

Small-batch, fresh, handcrafted desserts and pasties is the name of the game at this shop. They offer liquid nitrogen ice cream, dessert pizza and waffle pops. Plus tea, baklava and yummy gluten-free options. 

Momma’s Dessert Bar

• Address: 56752 Van Dyke Avenue, Shelby Township

This Shelby Township spot has the most unique desserts we’ve seen! The Mom’s Spaghetti looks like the classic dish but it’s sweet featuring shaved vanilla ice cream, raspberry or strawberry sauce, Ferrero Rocher and white chocolate shavings. 

Modern Cone

• Address: 28616 Harper Ave, St Clair Shores

Move over ice cream sundaes, the ice cream nachos at Modern Cone are our new favorite sweet treat! You’ll love to dip their waffle chips in the ice cream with sauces and toppings. Want more? Check out their ice cream flights, classic banana split and Chocolate Chip Lava Cookie Sundae. 

Best desserts in Oakland County

 

Photo credit: Detroit Cookie Company

RELATED: Best Over-The-Top Desserts in Rochester Hills

Bombshell Treat Bar

• Address: 2688 Coolidge Highway, Berkley

This inventive dessert shop offers customizable frozen treats dipped in scratch-made Belgian chocolate, with options like dark chocolate, cherry, and lemonade. Signature creations like the Campfire Dreams bar and Sweet n Salty sundae delight fans. Monthly specials and creative combos elevate the ice cream experience.

Detroit Cookie Company

• Address: 23421 Woodward Ave., Ferndale 

Enjoy your favorite ice cream flavors smooshed between two soft and decadent cookies. Plus, try unique cookie flavors including the “Big 3,” which feature Better Made potato chips, Michigan dried cherries and chocolate chips.

Dino’s Cookie Dough Bar

• Address: 111 E. University Drive, Rochester

It’s Oakland County’s first cookie dough bar. Choose from 10 flavors of cookie dough and 16 flavors of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company ice cream. Create your own sundae, shakes or banana splits with liquid and dry toppings such as hot caramel, hot fudge, white chocolate chips, gummy bears, rainbow sprinkles and more.

Donut Bar + Coffee

• Address: 29039 Southfield Road, Southfield

While we recommend trying the Fruity Pebbles donut, there’s so many options to choose from. From gluten-free bumpy cake to candy bar flavors like Snickers and Oreo, there’s something for everyone. 

Kitty’s Cheesecakes & More

• Address: 681 E. 8 Mile Road, Ferndale 

This marbled cheesecake is nostalgic and fun. With its red, blue and yellow swirls that mimic the beloved Superman ice cream, you’ll be as transfixed by the taste as you are with the design. 

Pagos Ice Cream Rolls 

• Address: 623 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak 

You won’t get a scoop at this ice cream shop. Instead, you’ll get a roll of ice cream filled with the delicious topping of your choosing. Bubble tea, too. 

Best desserts in Wayne County

Photo credit: JoJo’s Shake Bar

Check out these delicious dessert spots in Detroit, Dearborn and more towns in Wayne County.

RELATED: Best Over-The-Top Desserts in Dearborn

Cheat Treats

• Address: 5838 Schaefer Road, Dearborn

While we certainly can try to be healthy with acai bowls and smoothies, there’s a reason this place is called Cheat Treats. The regular milkshakes come topped with favorites like Fruity Pebbles, Oreo cookies or Twix pieces. If you want to take it to the next level, you have to try one of the Freakshakes piled high with a combo of your favorite sweets.

Frozen Elephants

• Address: 6460 Greenfield Road, Dearborn

This ice cream shop is located inside the famous Ricky’s Sub Shop and specializes in hand-scooped ice cream, milkshakes, frozen custard and elephant ears. The elephant ear flavors include the original with either powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, Black & White, Peanut Paradise, Strawberry Dreams and Pebbles & Cream. 

House of Chimney Cakes

Photo credit: House of Chimney Cakes

• Address: 22737 Michigan Ave., Dearborn 

Chimney cakes come in traditional flavors like glaze and cinnamon sugar or premium options such as coconut, Oreo, Fruity Pebbles and pistachio. With or without ice cream. Add whatever filling and toppings you’d like. 

JoJo’s ShakeBAR

• Address: 88 W. Columbia St., Detroit

These outrageous milkshakes come topped with cookie crumbles, cotton candy, marshmallows and so much more. Keep an eye out for their seasonal milkshakes, too.

La Gelati

Photo credit: La Gelati’s

• Address: 42545 Ford Road, Canton; 6901 Schaefer Road, Dearborn; 22001 Michigan Ave., Dearborn and 25442 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights 

Think sushi but much sweeter — Nutella spread over cinnamon rolls with frosting on top. Plus, smoothies, soft-serve ice cream, sundaes, crepes and more. 

Best desserts in Washtenaw County

Photo credit: Cinnaholic

Look no further than these desserts spots in Washtenaw County to satisfy your sweet tooth.

RELATED: Best Over-The-Top Desserts in Ann Arbor

Cinnaholic 

• Address:  121 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor

The products here are 100% vegan, dairy and lactose-free, egg-free and cholesterol-free. Enjoy the create-your-own cinnamon rolls and other made-from-scratch treats like cookies, brownies and edible cookie dough at this bakery. Choose from more than 20 unique frosted cinnamon rolls, including flavors like “Cookie Monster,” “Campfire S’mores,” “Very Berry,” “Caramel Apple Pie” and “Shake, Rattle, & Roll.” 

Mochinut Ann Arbor

• Address: 1771 Plymouth Road, Suite 103, Ann Arbor

Enjoy more than 20 flavors of mochi doughnuts including some unique flavors like churro, milk pebble and black sesame. It also sells mochinut-balls in flavors like creme brûlée, coffee, cookies and cream, strawberry and matcha.

M Street Baking Company

• Address: 117 N. Michigan Ave., Howell 

Technically in Livingston County, these mind-blowing milkshakes come in a variety of flavors such as Oreo Party, Fruity Pebbles, s’mores and more. With toasted marshmallows, Pop-Tarts, cotton candy and Oreos sticking out the top, you really are getting the full flavor experience. 

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Detroit’s Iconic Eats for Your Next Family Foodie Adventure

Detroit is a foodie’s paradise, offering a rich culinary scene perfect for families and food lovers alike. From hearty meals to unique snacks and indulgent desserts, this Detroit food guide highlights iconic dishes that will satisfy every craving.

When hunger strikes, dive into this curated guide for a delicious journey through some of the best eats the Motor City has to offer.

Iconic Detroit dishes your family will love

Coney dog

• Order from: American Coney Island or Lafayette Coney Island

Five ingredients make up a true Detroit coney dog: a beef frankfurter in a soft bun topped with chili (all meat, no beans), diced white onions and yellow mustard. Pair your coney dog with a refreshing Faygo for a true Detroit meal. 

Detroit square-cut pizza 

Photo credit: Sadie Quagliotto

• Order from: Buddy’s Pizza, Crispelli’s, Green Lantern Pizza or PizzaPapalis

The crispy edges of Detroit-style pizza, baked in a deep pan, deliver a crunch unmatched by deep dish pizza or thin crusts. Crispy corner lovers should try the “Octopie” from Green Lantern Pizza — 8 square pizza pieces with all of your favorite toppings. 

Shawarma

• Order from: Al-Ameer Restaurant, Balkan House, Country Chicken or Hamido Restaurant

Metro Detroit is home to incredible Middle Eastern culture, which includes delicious Middle Eastern restaurants! We love ordering huge, tasty portions of shawarma — chicken, beef or lamb that is seasoned to perfection and roasted on a vertical rotisserie. Try it in a wrap or sandwich, or load your plate up with shawarma and sides such as fries, hummus or salad. 

Better Made Potato Chips 

For the perfect crunchy snack, munch on Better Made Potato Chips, Detroit’s favorite chips for nearly 100 years. Whether you like them plain or krinkle-cut, sweet or hot, Better Made has a flavor of chips that are sure to satisfy those salty cravings. Pick up a bag at your local grocery store, or stock up by ordering a case of your favorite snacks from the Better Made online shop. 

Pączki

Photo credit: Donut Cutter

• Order from: Donut Cutter, East Detroit Bakery & Deli, Family Donut Shop or New Palace Bakery. Some bakeries only carry paczki seasonally. 

What better way to finish off this family foodie challenge than with dessert? Indulge your sweet tooth with paczki, Polish donuts filled with rich cream or fruit fillings. While you can find these delicacies at bakeries throughout the year, the best time to enjoy a paczki is on Fat Tuesday, known as Paczki Day in many Midwest cities.

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Win Four Tickets to ‘A Year With Frog and Toad’ at Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor

Leap into an afternoon of fun, friendship and fantastic music with A Year With Frog and Toad! This Broadway hit, nominated for three Tony Awards (including Best Musical), brings Arnold Lobel’s cherished children’s books to life on stage with jazzy, upbeat tunes and plenty of laughs.

Catch the magic on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. at the iconic Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Follow the lovable duo — the upbeat Frog and his lovable but grumpy pal, Toad — as they navigate the ups and downs of four delightful seasons.

Fill out the form below by Friday, Feb. 16, 2025, for your chance to win 4 tickets to A Year With Frog and Toad.

This sweepstakes begins on Jan. 3, 2025 and ends on Feb. 14, 2025. One prize (valued at $104) will be awarded to one winner, who will be notified via the email they provided in the entry. 

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Top 15 Most Diverse School Districts in Macomb County, According to Niche

Diversity in schools helps shape how children understand and connect with the world. In Macomb County, some school districts stand out for their ethnic and economic diversity.

Niche, a leading platform for school rankings, has released its 2025 Most Diverse School Districts list, using U.S. Census data to evaluate diversity across the county.

Check out the top 15 most diverse school districts in Macomb County below, along with their overall Niche grades.

This story was updated on Jan. 3, 2025 by Metro Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. Her work included updating the list with 2025 rankings and adding a graphic of the most diverse school districts in Macomb County. Questions? Email katina@metroparent.com. 

Most diverse school districts in Macomb County

1. Warren Woods Public Schools, Warren (B)
2. Warren Consolidated Schools, Warren (B-)
3. Fitzgerald Public Schools, Warren (C+)
4. Center Line Public Schools, Center Line (C)
5. Roseville Community Schools, Roseville (C)
6. South Lake Schools, Saint Clair Shores (B-)
7. New Haven Community Schools, New Haven (B)
8. Huron Academy, Sterling Heights (B-)
9. Fraser Public Schools, Fraser (B+)
10. Lake Shore Public Schools, Saint Clair Shores (C+)
11. Clintondale Community Schools, Clinton Township (D+)
12. Lakeview Public Schools, Saint Clair Shores (B)
13. L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, Clinton Township (B)
14. Chippewa Valley Schools, Clinton Township (A-)
15. Mount Clemens Community School District, Mount Clemens (C-)

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Family-Friendly Options for Ann Arbor Restaurant Week

Get out to downtown Ann Arbor to try new foods as a family, take advantage of special deals or have a date night at one of your favorite eateries during the annual winter Ann Arbor Restaurant Week, running Jan. 19-24, 2025.

Here are some spots your whole family is sure to enjoy — and your wallet will, too.

This article was recently updated on Jan. 2, 2025 by Metro Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@metroparent.com.

Detroit Pizza Pub

• Address:207 N Main St., Ann Arbor
• Ann Arbor Restaurant Week menus: Three courses for $31.99

When it comes to dining out with kids, you can’t go wrong with pizza! The meal deal at Detroit Pizza Pub includes a caesar salad, either penne pesto pasta or chicken parmesan and flan for dessert, all for $31.99. The kids’ menu offers chicken tenders, personal pizzas, spaghetti and cheeseburgers.

Pretzel Bell

• Address: 226 S. Main St., Ann Arbor
• Ann Arbor Restaurant Week menus: 2 for $38

Crunchy bird, calamari caesar, spicy chicken pasta and a vegetarian ravioli are all on the menu for Ann Arbor Restaurant Week. The Junior Varsity menu for kids features chicken tenders, mini mac, club sandwich, cheeseburger and grilled cheese bites with warm tomato soup. Kids eat free on Sundays!

Sam Hill 

• Address:5827 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor
• Ann Arbor Restaurant Week menus: Three courses for $24

Enjoy three courses featuring everything from soups and salads to chicken pot pie, jambalaya pasta and pot roast. Vegetarian options include a cauliflower verde bowl and a roasted beet salad. For dessert, choose between house-made white chocolate cheesecake or apple crumble. The littles can feast on PB&J, grilled cheese, a cheeseburger, chicken tenders or buttered noddles.

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