Sweet Pastry Finds Around Carroll Gardens This Week

Croissants, cannoli, rainbow cookies. For novelty hunters, start with Brooklyn French Bakers on Columbia Street, then walk over to Court Pastry Shop for a Sicilian cannoli. Ask what is in each case before choosing; compare the flaky and filled pastries rather than buying multiples. Photograph them intact. The Columbia Street bakery lists Monday as closed, so use this editorial pairing another day and check both schedules.

Lemon cake, choco roule, viennoiseries. La Bicyclette Bakery keeps the second stop close to Monday’s Court Street counter, but shifts the comparison toward French baking. For the pastry hunter, ask what is in the case and pick a sweet roll before buying a larger assortment. One account found the cinnamon roll a little dry, so I would start elsewhere in the selection.

Fruit toppings, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts. Cloudy Donut Co. in Brooklyn Heights suits the collector who wants a plant-based detour beyond Carroll Gardens; its rotating selection makes the case worth checking on arrival. Pick one doughnut first, and ask about the current flavors rather than assuming a particular topping is there. The listed hours are Friday through Sunday, so treat Wednesday as an editorial label and confirm before setting out.

Crepe cake, raspberry, cream. Almondine Bakery offers the cake-focused eater a different photo from the week's doughnut stops, with layered slices that deserve a close look before the first bite. Begin by asking for the crepe cake, then check the counter's current selection if it is unavailable. The DUMBO stop expands the radius, so make it a deliberate outing.

Kouign amann, croissants, weekly specials. Miolin Bakery makes sense for someone who follows changing bakes: ask what is in the case today instead of counting on a specific limited edition. Its caramelized kouign amann is a strong first comparison, while the weekly special is worth asking about. Frame the pastry before eating, and skip a second order until you have tasted it.

Basque cheesecake, wine, hot chicken Milanese. Popina brings a plated dessert into the week after the bakery cases, making it a good change of pace for a sweets scout. Ask about the cheesecake first and confirm today’s dessert selection before choosing the rest of the meal. Its Columbia Waterfront location returns the route near the opening stop; photograph the plate before digging in.

Almond croissants, cinnamon rolls, artisan bread. The Park Slope branch of Brooklyn French Bakers gives pastry fans a final contrast with Monday's Columbia Street bakery. Choose an almond croissant first for its buttery layers, and compare the texture before adding more. Coffee draws mixed opinions, so a pastry-first order is the safer editorial bet here.