Note: I have visited Sweet Theory before (read review here).


If you’re passing in or out of Central Florida by way of Jacksonville, Sweet Theory Baking Co. is without a doubt a must-do destination. This all around allergy friendly bakery serves up some of the most decadent, mouth-watering treats I’ve found in my quest to find the most incredible gluten-free bakeries in this country. 


As I made my way from Maryland to Florida for the summer, I knew that the bakery earned a coveted spot on my limited itinerary on the lengthy journey. All treats at Sweet Theory are free from egg, dairy, soy, and peanut, and more than half of the items are available gluten-free as well. 

I knew I’d be passing through Jacksonville on a weekend afternoon, which could prove problematic as Sweet Theory is know to sell out early during peak season. Not wanting to be left empty handed, I called in shortly after they opened to put some treats on reserve. Of course, when finally rolling into Jacksonville after a long day of driving, I was tempted further by this incredible bakery, namely by the coconut-based ice cream.


Since going dairy-free I’ve never had the experience of going to an ice cream parlor and simply ordering ice cream. I’ve had dairy-free fro-yo, milkshakes, and store-bought pints, but never a scoop of the thick, classic concoction. That day, of the four varieties made in-store, the snickerdoodle oatmeal cookie ice cream seemed to be engineered just for me. 


The cold, creamy ice cream based with loaded with cinnamon in true snickerdoodle fashion. Normally not a fan of coconut-based anything, I loved the decadent quality of the frozen cream. Mixed into this delicious base was oatmeal cookies- my favorite type of cookie- that had added flavors of brown sugar, buttery-ness, and oats. Each luxurious bite was a revelation, and had me grinning as we set our course for home in Orlando. 

Another temptress that I fell for upon arriving at Sweet Theory was the sea salt ganache brownie. Rich and decadent, the brownie perfectly straddled the fine line between brownie and cake, capturing the best qualities of both. Chocolate chips mixed throughout the cake added an extra rich layer to the chocolatey base. However, the ganache on top stole the show. Smooth, fudgy, and lightly salted with sea salt, the top layer of the brownie added the duel flavors of sweet and salty which made the dessert truly stand out and impress. 

Switching from chocolatey goodness to a more fruity indulgence, the lemon loaf is a light, lemony treat that’s perfect for a summer indulgence. I loved the buttery, sweet and tangy taste of the cake, which had the moisture and consistency of a perfect pound cake. The icing was simple and sweet, but not distracting from the intense lemon flavor, the star player. I came home with two slices (and reserved them in advance them too), and sorely regretted not ordering more as I was slowly relishing my final bites of the second slice. 

Finding the balance between chocolate and fruity, the “Don’t Mess With Texas” jumbo muffin of the day was definitely worth reserving in advance (I came home with two). The daily flavor was a raspberry chocolate chip muffin, which checks all possible boxes I have when looking for a perfect breakfast indulgence. 


The muffin base was sweet and simple (similar to the blueberry muffin I bought before), and perfectly supported the stars of the show: the mix-ins. The raspberries were sweet and tart while the dark chocolate used was rich and flavorful without being sweet. I loved the dusting of granulated sugar on top, and the jumbo size, which filled me up long into the lunch hour. While the jumbo sizing can be intimidating, the folks at Sweet Theory have engineered the “Don’t Mess with Texas” to make every bite absolutely delicious.

The final treat I selected was the zucchini chocolate chip loaf. Of all of the baked goods I came home with, it was by far the moistest, but not in a bad way. Don’t let the presence of zucchini scare you away, because this cake definitely lets the chocolate flavor shine through. I loved how the loaf wasn’t chocolate cake-y, but wasn’t brownie-like either. It was not heavy at all, a perfect summer dessert with one of summer’s most abundant crops.

Please note that Sweet Theory’s offerings change daily. Be sure to call ahead if you want a specific baked good, and arrive early because once they’re gone, they’re gone. I froze all of the treats I bought (except for the ice cream and brownie), and they held up well in the freezer.