Between exploring the lush valleys and golden beaches of Maui, take a moment to slow down and indulge in the unique local sweets that blend traditions, island-grown ingredients, and creative twists that you will not find anywhere else. Whether it is your first visit to the island or your tenth, the inventive local desserts tell a story of culture, flavor, and island creativity, all waiting to be discovered.

Founded in 1994 by Roy and Louise Stillwell, Stillwell’s Bakery and Café in Wailuku has become an island institution celebrated for its artisanal pastries and warm island hospitality. While their chocolate-glazed eclairs, fresh fruit tarts, and silky liliko‘i cheesecakes are all equally divine, customers often visit the bakery for a chance to sample their signature cream horns. Each horn is made with delicate layers of buttery puff pastry, baked to crisp perfection, then generously filled with Stillwell’s pastry cream. The edges of the pastry are dipped in milk chocolate before being generously dusted with powdered sugar, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that locals and visitors return to again and again. Available in mini and large sizes, it is common to see people line up early in the day to get their hands on a decadent cream horn or leave with a box full of these famous pastries to share with family or friends. 

Stillwell’s Bakery and Café; 1740 West Ka‘ahumanu Avenue, Wailuku; (808) 243-2243; Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Takeout available 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; stillwellsbakery.com. 

Tasaka Guri Guri’s story began in Japan in the early 1900s when Jokichi Tasaka invented a refreshing frozen confection he called “Goodie Goodie.” When his son, Gunji, migrated to the United States, he brought the family recipe with him. However, he realized the name was difficult for older Japanese people to pronounce, so he renamed the treat “Guri Guri.” Now over 100 years in business, Tasaka Guri Guri remains a cherished part of island life. People of all ages are lining up to enjoy the smooth, creamy cross between sherbet and ice cream, available in two flavors of strawberry and pineapple. Since 2000, Gunji’s daughters, Gail and Cindy, have run the shop, honoring their family tradition while starting a sweet tradition of their own with the introduction of flavors of the month, such as coffee and lychee. Simple, nostalgic, and unmistakably local, Tasaka Guri Guri is more than just a dessert; it is a taste of Maui history. 

 

Tasaka Guri Guri; 70 East Ka‘ahumanu Avenue, C13, Kahului; (808) 871-4513; Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; @tasakaguriguri on Instagram.

Located on the picturesque peninsula of Ke‘anae, Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread offers slices of warmth and nostalgia with every bite. Opened in 1983 by Sandy Hueu, this humble bakery has been an essential stop along the winding, scenic drive to Hāna. Known for its hot, fresh banana bread, Aunty Sandy’s treats are dense, aromatic, and bursting with flavor, making the challenging journey well worth the effort. The cake-like texture, combined with the perfect balance of sweetness, makes this banana bread a standout. It is made with no frills, just simple, quality ingredients and a solid recipe crafted from the heart. Open Monday to Saturday, Aunty Sandy’s attracts both locals and visitors who crave a taste of Maui’s comforting simplicity. 

Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread; 210 Ke‘anae Road, Ha‘ikū; (808) 248-7448; Open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; auntysandys.com. 

Located in the heart of Makawao, Komoda Store and Bakery is a time capsule of Maui’s plantation-era charm and is home to some of the island’s most iconic sweets. Established in 1916 by Takezo and Shigeri Komoda, the shop initially operated as a humble restaurant serving saimin (Japanese egg noodle soup), fresh-baked bread, and donuts. The bakery’s legacy deepened when the couple’s son returned from serving in World War II and attending baking school in Minnesota under the GI Bill, bringing home techniques that have transformed the bakery’s offerings to this day. Now run by Takezo’s granddaughter, Betty, and her husband, Calvin Shibuya, the shop continues to offer its famous donuts on a stick, served with five plump donuts dunked in a sweet, glossy glaze, just as locals remember from their childhood. With its worn-in feel and shelves lined with goods, Komoda Store and Bakery has the unmistakable rhythm of a mom-and-pop shop that does not try to keep up with the trends. And when they sell out, as they often do, that is it. The doors close and the ovens rest until the next morning, when the couple returns to start baking for a new day. 

Komoda Store and Bakery; 3674 Baldwin Avenue, Makawao; (808) 572-7261; Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Opened in 2011, Sweet Paradise Maui has quickly become a haven for chocolate lovers on the island, offering handcrafted, small-batch, artisanal sweets. Founded by Virginia Douglas, an award-winning master chocolatier, chocolate maker, and curator, Sweet Paradise Maui crafts uniquely delicious bonbons, truffles, and chocolate bars that reflect her passion for the art of fine chocolate making. Using the finest cacao sourced from around the Pacific Rim, paired with local fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices, Virginia’s creations are a celebration of Maui’s rich culinary landscape. From classics like Kula Strawberry Chocolate and Coconut Crème Brûlée to tropical delights like Piña Colada and Banana Maui Rum-filled chocolates, each piece of chocolate is like a tiny jewel crafted with care and precision. Whether you are savoring a rich truffle or a bold chocolate bar, each bite from Sweet Paradise Maui is a taste of pure luxury. 

Sweet Paradise Maui; Wailea Gateway Center, 34 Wailea Ike Drive, Kīhei; (808) 344-1040; Open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; sweetparadisemaui.com.

Moved by a dream to share authentic Hawaiian shave ice with the world, Ululani’s was founded by Ululani and David Yamashiro in 2003. In 2008, the couple, together with their friend Brad Edgerton, made a daring move by opening their first physical store in Lahaina. Since then, Ululani’s has become an island sensation with multiple locations across Hawai‘i thanks to years of dedicated hard work and a commitment to the finest ingredients. Their simple, nostalgic sweet treat is enhanced by using ultra-purified water for both ice and syrups, handcrafted syrups made from pure cane sugar, and all-natural purees and handmade toppings. Whether you’re creating your own shave ice with a selection of their signature syrups or choosing one of their popular combinations, like the No Ka Oi (“The Best”) flavored with mango, coconut, and liliko‘i, each bite is fresh, flavorful, and of the highest quality. 

 

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice; 61 South Kīhei Road, Kīhei; (808) 877-3700; Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; ululanishawaiianshaveice.com. 

Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, which opened its doors in 2011, is the ultimate destination for outrageously delicious, comfort-filled pies that will take you back to grandma’s kitchen, but with a modern twist. Located right off the main highway in a charming, cozy building, it is the perfect spot to relax, grab a table, and indulge in their selection of sweet pies, which complement a menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Their menu features crowd favorites like banana cream, chocolate macadamia nut, Olowalu lime pie, apple crumble, and peanut butter pie, each made with love. It is a place where simple, comforting flavors are combined to create something extraordinary. 

Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop; 820 Olowalu Village Road, Lahaina; (808) 662-3600; Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; leodas.com. 

Across the island, you can indulge in the sweet offerings that blend old traditions with modern twists that add a sparkle to Maui’s culinary landscape.