Florida Bakeries Named Best in Nation

Three Florida bakeries were honored on DoorDash’s inaugural ranking of the top 50 local bakeries and dessert shops in America.

Two Tampa bakeries earned a spot on the list: Gretchen’s Goodies in Riverview and Moreno Bakery in Brandon. Both bakeries are run by couples who brought their baking dreams to life with successful brick-and-mortar shops.

At Moreno Bakery, crowds line up daily for Cuban bread baked by Jose Bruno, who got his start at La Segunda. Gretchen, the chef behind Gretchen’s Goodies, dishes up sweet surprises using secret family recipes passed down through generations.

The third Florida shop honored was Mo Cookies in Tallahassee, which also has locations in Tampa and Wesley Chapel, with another set to open in Boca Raton. The 2021 start-up offers warm cookies, with chocolate chip as its signature flavor.

Best Reader Cookie Recipe

We asked for your favorite cookie recipes, and Felicia from Live Oak sent one that our crew was happy to sample. To make this tasty peanut butter cookie, you wrap the dough around a fun-size Snickers candy bar. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling (optional)
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• About 20-24 miniature or fun-size Snickers bars, unwrapped (fun-size bars can be cut in half if needed)

Instructions

1. To prepare the dough, cream together butter, peanut butter, and sugars. Incorporate the egg and vanilla, then gradually mix in the combined dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) until just blended. Chill the dough for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. For assembly, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet. Take about 1-1.5 tablespoons of dough, flatten it, and place a Snickers bar in the middle. Seal the dough completely around the candy, rolling it into a ball. You can roll the dough ball in extra sugar if desired.
3. Bake cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared sheet for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.

Flying together with our sponsor

Car insurance premiums up 64% since 2020

Car insurance premiums are up more than 64% since 2020, and Florida drivers are paying well above the national average. From hurricane damage and flooding to high claim costs and fraud, insurers have raised rates across the Sunshine State. See how your rate compares and whether you could pay less with Money’s auto insurance comparison tool.

COMPARE RATES

➤ Fort Lauderdale: Starting Jan. 1, boaters will be limited to 5 to 9 mph in a slow speed, minimum wake zone between the Oakland Park Boulevard Bridge and the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge to improve safety and reduce traffic. (More)

➤ St. Augustine: Ranked at No. 16, the town was the only one in Florida to make U.S. News & World Report’s list of the 25 best small towns to visit in the U.S. for 2026. (More)

➤ Osceola County: Soldier City Fitness Gym owner and veteran Andrew Maragh started a nonprofit to help veterans build community through fitness. Salute the Fallen offers qualifying veterans free or discounted gym memberships as a way to encourage them to return to the gym. (See Video)

➤ Pinellas County: Harlan Springer, 99, who served in World War II in the U.S. Navy and lives at a VA assisted living facility, inspired his family to give back by organizing and running an annual Adopt-a-Veteran program. (See Video)

➤ Jacksonville: Brothers Shamar and Shareef Jackson are the first siblings in Raines High School history to win two state championships. Shamar was part of the 2017 title team, and Shareef’s squad won this year. (See Photo)

Enjoy reading Flyover Florida? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

Flying together with our sponsor

Will you put milk and cookies out tonight for Santa?

1. Yes
2. No

Tuesday’s Results:

Do you think the state bird should be changed from the mockingbird to the flamingo?

1. Yes: 34%
2. No: 24%
3. Don’t care: 23%
4. Some other bird: 19%

What Spanish tradition is honored by St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights festival?

Show me the answer