The Best Treats to Eat this Fall in Georgia
Fall's crisp, cool breezes are here, which has turned up our cravings for indulgent sweet treats. From apple cider donuts to pecan pie, apple butter to kettle corn, Georgia's menu of fall treats is seemingly endless. Seek out your favorite seasonal flavors at these orchards, bakeries, chocolatiers, ice cream shops, and festivals throughout the state.
Pralines at River Street Sweets in Savannah, Georgia. Photo by @riverstreetsweets
Candy
You can't visit Savannah without stepping in for a sample of the world-famous pralines at River Street Sweets. And, during pecan season in the fall, their many nutty creations from chocolate bear claws to glazed pecans are simply irresistible. Choose an assortment to fuel your road trip, and share the sweetness by sending gift boxes to your friends and family back home.
In Dahlonega, sweet and crunchy candy apples are an art form at Paul Thomas Chocolates located on the historic downtown square. You'll find classic caramel apples as well as dressed-up versions with peanuts, pecans and chocolate drizzle. Keep your sweet tooth happy with more handmade selections from the candy counter like pumpkin truffles, pumpkin fudge and chocolate-covered campfire marshmallows.
For three generations, the art of hand-making small batches of specialty nut candies cooked in open copper kettles has been kept alive by the Dillon family in Boston. Find all types of delicious nut candies, including brittles, pralines and pecan logs, along with gift boxes and other treats in the Dillon Candy Gift Shop.
Chocolate truffles at Condor Chocolates in Athens, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones
Chocolate
In Athens, don't skip a stop at one of two Condor Chocolates locations to taste their creative Ecuadorian chocolates. Warm up with a hot chocolate and salty caramel brownie, and choose a box of truffles to go featuring fall flavors like Mayan, mocha, and pecan pie.
Kilwins in Columbus is a must-stop for handmade fudge and truffles; chocolate-covered pretzels, cookies and marshmallows; and hand-dipped strawberries. Treat yourself to a scoop of Chattahoochee River Mud ice cream (vanilla with chocolate chips and caramel) and a hot chocolate to celebrate a day of adventures along the river.
For incredibly beautiful chocolate truffles, you must stop into Sweet Cacao Chocolates in Thomasville. Their products are handcrafted using only natural ingredients, and each piece is hand-painted in-store daily and beautifully packaged. Favorite fall flavors include bourbon pecan, pumpkin spice caramel, and goat cheese and fig. But don't stop just for truffles; you'll also find hot cocoa bombs, cheesecake, gelato, and macarons.
Macarons with coffee at Mac Lab in Duluth, Georgia. Photo by @nursewithprettypens
Cookies
When temperatures cool outside, the artists at Mac Lab Bakery in Duluth go full steam ahead creating delicate and beautiful macarons in a seemingly endless array of flavors. Choose the flavor of the month or other favorites like salted caramel, Nutella, and lavender honey. Customize a box set for a special someone or your future self to enjoy.
Johnny Boy Cookies in Statesboro features new flavors every month, so stop in any time for a deliciously sweet surprise. Seasonal flavors like chicken & waffles, oatmeal butterscotch, and s'mores are sure to hit the spot.
You won't regret stopping into Crave Cookie Co. in downtown LaGrange for homemade creations like salted peanut butter pretzel chocolate chip, s’more, and molasses spice crinkle cookies that will delight your tastebuds. Create a custom assortment to take along for your ride.
Turn off I-75 at Tifton and drive 45 miles east to Douglas for a delightful selection at Pearl, A Cottage Makery. Check the weekly menu to try to plan your order (we highly suggest the oatmeal cream pies), but we can't promise you won't be distracted by the delicious cupcakes, cake bites, brownies, and pastry selections when you arrive.
Apple cider donuts at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, Georgia
Donuts
Fall means apple season in North Georgia, and all of the orchards are worth a stop for their locally grown varieties as well as their apple treats like apple cider donuts, apple fritters, apple muffins, and breads. You can't go wrong with a stop at Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, R & A Orchards in Ellijay, and Jaemor Farms in Alto, to name a few.
When in Rome, treat yourself like a local and stop into The Sweet Bar for donuts, apple fritters, cake pops, and more. They open before sunrise, so you can jumpstart your day with a gooey treat and take a box to go for later.
In the Atlanta area, head to Revolution Doughnuts in Decatur or Inman Park for creative flavors like salted caramel cake, bacon caramel yeast-raised, and apple cider bites. They have lots of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.
Cotton Candy at North Georgia State Fair in Marietta, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones
Fair Food
Georgia's fall fairs are the absolute best places to find all your favorite traditional sweet treats like cotton candy, funnel cakes, kettle corn, and frozen bananas. The vendors at the Georgia National Fair in Perry are sure to satisfy your cravings with traditional flavors as well as creations that kick it up a notch like salted caramel turtle funnel cakes, deep-fried Oreos, Boston cream mini donuts, and so much more. They're only available for a limited time! Check our list of Georgia's Fall Fairs so you don't miss a bite.
Peanut ice cream at Plain Peanuts in Plains, Georgia
Ice Cream
You're not just a hot-weather ice cream fan, are you? If so, you're missing out on a whole menu of fall flavors as well as the warming effect a double scoop can have on a cold day. Besides, it would be a shame not to stop into some of the Georgia's iconic ice cream shops while you're in town.
In Savannah, ice cream means Leopold's, a local institution for more than 100 years. With a full soda fountain menu and more than 28 flavors available at any given time, they've got something just for you. Try the butter pecan or the signature Tutti Frutti, both made with roasted Georgia pecans.
In Plains, home of former President Jimmy Carter, fall brings the Plains Peanut Festival, and no visit would be complete without a taste of the peanut ice cream at Plain Peanuts. Add a sprinkle of fried peanuts for extra crunch.
For more ice cream shops around the state, check out our list of 21 of the Best Places to Get Ice Cream in Georgia.
Jams and jellies at Mountain Valley Farm in Ellijay, Georgia. Photo by Gilmer Chamber
Butters, Jams & Jellies
Locally made apple butter, pumpkin butter, sweet potato butter, jams, and jellies add seasonal sweetness to biscuits and muffins this fall. Shop the selections at farms, orchards, and farm markets throughout Georgia like Mountain Valley Farm and Store in Ellijay, Mark’s Melon Patch in Sasser, and Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley.
Pies at Crave Pie Studio in Duluth, Georgia
Pie
Pie, the star of the Thanksgiving dessert table, is one of fall's most perfect treats. From pumpkin to chocolate pecan, Dutch apple to sweet potato, fall flavors shine brightly contained in delicate, flaky, buttery crusts. Choose your favorites at Crave Pie Studio in Duluth, where 5-inch mini pies or 10-inch large pies come in flavors like cranberry orange chess, peanut butter crumb, and chocolate bourbon truffle.
One of the best ways to enjoy Georgia-grown pecans is in a pie from Ellis Brothers Pecans in Vienna. Try the old-fashioned, the chocolate, or the Southern bourbon whiskey pecan pie for a little kick.
At Southern Baked Pie Company, the all-butter pie crust shows off delectable creations like salted caramel dutch apple, pumpkin praline, and caramel pecan. Stop into any of the Gainesville-based bakery's four Atlanta-area locations to choose your favorites.
Looking for more? Check out our list of Georgia's Best Pies.
