Rosanne Pezzeli’s indulgent ice cream sandwiches were the ‘it’ drug of summer 2011. Indeed, the combination of Ed’s Burnt Marshmallow ice cream and one of Rosanne’s chewy ‘Everything’ cookies had some wicked powers of seduction. Teasing us with limited hours, this bakery crafted itself into first place this year with its homestyle baked goods and classic French macarons.

What started in a backyard wood-burning oven evolved into a Scarborough retail hub for some of the freshest, all natural bread around. The prices may be a little steeper than most, but the sweet raisin bread and crispy French baguettes have gotten people talking, and not about the price. Cliffside Hearth is mom and pop all the way.

A gluten-free haven opened up in North York the summer of 2011, with its own onsite chef and a plethora of gluten-free goods. The bakery offers everything typically off-limits for those struggling with intolerance, while the pantry shelves stock all the ingredients to make them at home. Chances are, though, you can’t top the carrot cake already ready to take home.

Rounding out the list is (believe it or not) another cupcake shop, this time up at Avenue and Lawrence. What makes this shop special is quite possibly its ‘BBM’ (butterscotch banana cupcake with maple buttercream) cupcake, or else the fact that it is totally nut-free. Lots of seasonal specialty options, each with its own punny name.