9 Boo-licious Spooky Sweets Florida Locals Can’t Resist Every October
When October rolls around, Florida locals know it’s time for spooky-sweet indulgences that only appear during the Halloween season.
Bakeries and dessert shops across the Sunshine State transform their offerings into ghostly goodies and pumpkin-flavored delights that perfectly capture the fall spirit, despite our perpetually warm weather.
Ready your sweet tooth for these hauntingly delicious treats that Floridians line up for every spooky season!
1. Gideon’s Bakehouse — Gothic-Themed Cookies
Walking into this bakery feels like entering a Victorian horror novel, with décor as dramatic as their half-pound cookies.
Mouth-watering limited editions like Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein cookies feature unique toppings and flavors that change throughout October. Lines form early at both their East End Market and Disney Springs locations, with cookies often selling out by afternoon.
2. The Salty Donut — Seasonal Craft Donuts
Artisanal creations at this Miami and Orlando hotspot elevate Halloween treats to gourmet status.
Masterfully crafted specialties include blood-orange glazed donuts with edible “glass” shards and pumpkin brioche filled with spiced custard. Locals know to arrive early, as Instagram-worthy creations like the ghostly white chocolate brioche sell out faster than you can say ‘boo!’
3. Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew — Spooky Donuts and Themed Cold Brews
Nestled in Disney Springs, this donut paradise goes all-out with Halloween creativity each October.
Fans rave about their Spider-Web Cold Brew topped with orange-tinted cream and chocolate drizzle. Pair your spooky sip with their Mummy donut wrapped in vanilla icing “bandages” or the Monster donut featuring colorful sprinkles and candy eyeballs for a complete Halloween sugar rush.
4. Voodoo Doughnut — Limited-Edition Halloween Doughnuts
Quirky and outrageous year-round, this Universal CityWalk shop kicks things up several notches during Halloween.
Visitors snap photos of the iconic pink boxes filled with treats like the Vampire doughnut, complete with pretzel stake through its “heart” filling. Adventurous eaters love the Dirt doughnut topped with crushed Oreos and gummy worms that seem to slither across your treat.
5. Alessi Bakery — Halloween-Themed Cupcakes and Cookies
Generations of Tampa families have made this century-old bakery’s Halloween treats part of their October traditions.
Master bakers transform ordinary desserts into jack-o’-lantern cookies with hand-piped details and ghost cupcakes topped with billowing marshmallow frosting. Little ones especially delight in the bakery’s spooky cookie decorating kits, allowing families to create haunted memories together at home.
6. The Bakery Box — Rotating Halloween Sweets From Local Vendors
Magic happens in this Tampa treasure where multiple local bakers showcase their most creative October offerings under one roof.
Weekly rotations bring surprises like Day of the Dead-inspired cookies with vibrant royal icing and caramel apple cake pops dipped in chocolate. Smart shoppers check social media for the vendor schedule, ensuring they catch limited appearances by Florida’s most innovative home bakers.
7. Donut King — Seasonal Halloween Donuts
Family-owned since 1987, this Central Florida institution transforms into a haunted donut paradise each October.
Late-night sugar cravings are satisfied until midnight with freshly-made pumpkin cake donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar while still warm. Kids squeal with delight over monster-faced donuts featuring colorful frosting and candy decorations that make breakfast feel like trick-or-treating.
8. Keke’s Breakfast Café — Pumpkin-Spiced Pastries
Morning people flock to this Orlando favorite for pumpkin indulgences that put basic PSLs to shame.
Fluffy pumpkin pancakes studded with cinnamon chips and drizzled with cream cheese glaze steal the spotlight on their October menu. Regulars know to request the off-menu pumpkin cheesecake-stuffed French toast, a secret specialty that combines two favorite fall desserts into one decadent breakfast.
9. Dough — Halloween-Inspired Cookies and Cupcakes
Fort Lauderdale’s dessert destination captivates with Instagram-worthy Halloween creations that taste as good as they look.
Macaron lovers swoon over bat-shaped treats filled with pumpkin buttercream and hand-painted with edible gold details. Custom cookie sets featuring haunted houses and friendly ghosts sell out weeks in advance, with locals placing pre-orders in September to guarantee their spooky sugar fix.
