This small bakery in historic downtown Snohomish is worth a trip for its enticing cakes made from locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, which include natural decorations like fresh berries, edible flowers, and caramel drips. With a fully gluten free kitchen as well as plentiful vegan options, this shop truly has a slice for everyone.

A cake lover has ample options at Coyle’s, from the chocolate layer cake with silky buttercream to the grapefruit poppy seed bundt cake. A summer favorite is the Victoria sponge cake, two layers of fluffy yellow sponge sandwiched with mascarpone and seasonal fruit. Preorders are the best method for those who want to get a Victoria slice — they tend to go fast.

This neighborhood spot nestled between houses in Kirkland serves perhaps the most generous slices of cake in the greater Seattle area (verging on a half-pound in weight). The heirloom carrot cake encased in tangy cream cheese frosting ties with the moist salted peanut butter chocolate cake for the best slice on the menu.

Pastry Chef Kevin Moulder, a frequent face on TV baking competitions, converted his Wallingford cake shop Cubes Baking Co. into Tres Lecheria, a bakery devoted to the popular Latin American dessert, in 2019. The bakery’s classic tres leches slice is soft, creamy, and not overly sweet, and the horchata slice is also stellar, topped off with cinnamon whipped cream.

For over 20 years this Fremont staple has nailed layer cakes, with terrific takes on classics like chocolate raspberry and red velvet. Open late, this is the perfect after-dinner spot, so those making a night of it at one of Fremont’s many great restaurants should make sure to leave room for dessert. This spot used to be cash only, but it now accepts cards.

Raised Cakes is part of the popular Raised Doughnuts shop in the Central District. Slices are only available at the shop on the weekends with two rotating selections each week (posted online in advance). The ever-changing menu features balanced flavor combos like cherry and chevre, apricot raspberry, and matcha black sesame.

While the pastry cases at both the Queen Anne and First Hill locations of this bakery are full of excellent options overall, the cakes should not be glossed over. The creme brulee cake is the standout, thanks to moist layers of burnt sugar cake filled with vanilla custard, caramel icing, and a caramel drip finish — all of which combine to form a surprisingly light and airy offering.

Home to a wide selection of pastries and cakes (including French entremets), this bakery — with locations in West Seattle, Capitol Hill, and Burien — has a little bit of everything. Chocolate lovers should head straight for the rich, classic chocolate slice, while those in search of a lighter option may want to check out the strawberry pistachio.