Orlando North, Seminole County has the goods when it comes to desserts. You can get sweets to eat just about anywhere in our destination. But why not reach a little higher? These shops specialize in desserts that aren’t just delicious. They bring innovation and imagination to the game.

Chez Jacqueline

This quaint little place located in the Shoppes at Lake Mary is resolutely, proudly French. Jacqueline, the proprietor and sole staff member, does all the baking, works the counter and charms the customers with her wonderful French accent. (She used to run a restaurant in the Alsace-Lorraine region.) Jacqueline makes all the dessert standards from her home country — pastries, croissants, macaroons, mousse, a prized creme brulee — and also serves crepes and savory quiches. Chez Jacqueline, which has been open for 10 years, has two small tables for customers who want to linger, but does not offer table service. Most of the shop’s business is takeout. One online reviewer (among many raves) effused: “Awesome quaint place! Felt like I was back in Paris.”

Wondermade

Talk about niche. Wondermade, which has become something of an institution in downtown Sanford, specializes in…marshmallows. Marshmallows you’ll love, by the way — it says so right in the shop window: “Love & Marshmallows.” Wondermade serves them toasted on sticks, sandwiched in s’mores or in a cup of hot chocolate. You can tour the shop, have a Q&A session with an “official marshmallow agent” and make your own in Wondermade’s workshops — perfect for family outings or a couple’s date night. The shop also serves ice cream — cornbread flavor anyone? — but marshmallows are Wondermade’s real sweet spot.

Sal’s Italian Ice

The shop’s name makes you think of a guy with a cart hawking cold treats on a hot day, right? Makes you wanna holler, “Hey Sal, gimme a cherry!” A nice nostalgic image, but that’s not what this place is about. Sal’s Italian Ice, located a couple of miles south of Historic Downtown Sanford (on French Street, no less) serves terrific Italian ice, for sure, but that’s just for starters. Sal’s also offers soft and hand-dipped ice cream, gelato, parfaits and more, in a crazy array of flavors with lots of toppings. Look for the small stand-alone building with a sculpture of an ice cream cone out front.

Donuts to Go

Don’t let the pedestrian name fool you. Donuts to Go takes the tasty rings everyone loves to the next level. Sure, you can get the basics in dozens, half-dozen or singles, but there’s also dessert-style cake donuts in red velvet, pumpkin and other flavors. The place offers square donuts, donuts split and filled with egg and cheese, breakfast burritos and sandwiches, bagels and more. Donuts to Go has tables for eating in — but we strongly suggest you grab a dozen for the road. The shop is located a mile west of downtown Sanford.

Chewy Bubble Cafe

This bright, cozy place in a busy Oviedo shopping plaza serves excellent frozen yogurt (sold by the ounce), yogi shakes and boba beverages. For the uninitiated, boba are chewy, tapioca-like balls covered in honey. You can add them to cold drinks or use them as a topping for frozen yogurt. Chewy Bubble also offers fruit smoothies, macaroons and other desserts like cheesecake and cakes. But it’s the boba that makes this place unique. You order at the counter, and eat in or take out.