Laser-focused on sweet treats, this Black-owned bakery was a 2020 semifinalist for a James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. The online menu offers brownies, blondies, sweet breads, and twelve cookie varieties, for neatly boxed assortments (pickup or delivery). Primo ingredients, like Mexican vanilla and locally sourced honey and nuts, give Kessler’s goodies an edge. Order this to go: The addictive, tart-shaped Chocolate Pecan Brownie boasts a four-to-one ratio of chocolate to flour; it could serve four sensible eaters or two chocoholics. Our favorite cookies (striking the perfect balance of crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside) include chocolate chip–pecan, with a hint of cinnamon, and oatmeal with chocolate toffee bits. Pro tip: Cushiony, brioche-like cinnamon rolls are a splurge-worthy Saturday special. Want fresh-baked cookies at home? Buy a frozen, oven-ready dozen.
Note: Review reflects COVID-19 protocols in place at the time of visit.