Michigan is known for a few things in dessert-making. It has a lot to do with the state’s rich history in fudge-making, as well as its deep roots in apple growing. We’ve dug up some truly Michigan desserts that folks outside of the state just can’t appreciate.

  1. Original Murdick’s Fudge, Mackinac Island

Facebook/Original Murdick’s Fudge, Mackinac Island A Mackinac Island original since 1887, Murdick’s makes homemade fudge, peanut brittle, and other sweets, making it a pioneer in Michigan confectioneries. Original Murdick’s Fudge, 7363 Main St, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, USA

  1. May’s Candy Shop, Mackinac Island

Facebook/May’s Candy Shop This generations-long family business features a number of legendary seasonal fudge varieties, guaranteeing you’ll be satisfied all year long. Plus, you’ll be supporting one of the finest family-owned fudge shops in Michigan! May’s Candy Shop, 7351 Main St, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, USA

  1. Donckers, Marquette

Facebook/Donckers Looking for a fall twist to your dessert? Try the pumpkin pie fudge from Donckers. Donckers, 137 W Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855, USA

  1. Upper Crust Bakery & Deli, Manistique

Facebook/Upper Crust Deli Looking for some Michigan apple goodness? Try this delicious dessert from Upper Crust Bakery & Deli. Try this classic rendition, made just like mom. Upper Crust Cafe Bakery & Deli, 375 Traders Point Dr, Manistique, MI 49854, USA

  1. Joe’s Cakes, Marquette

Facebook/Joe’s Cakes Situated inside the Landmark Inn, this bakery gives you an incredible sour cream apple walnut pie… It’s universally delish. Landmark Inn, 230 N Front St, Marquette, MI 49855, USA

  1. Sanders Bumpy Cake

Facebook/Sanders This treat comes from German immigrant Fred Sanders Schmidt, who specialized in gourmet confections in Germany and Chicago, before coming up with his legendary Sanders Bumpy Cake and other chocolates when his family moved to Detroit following the Great Fire of 1871 in Chicago.

  1. Boston Cooler

Magiscup - The Papercup & Sleeve/Flickr Vernor’s gingle ale founder James Vernor came up with this concoction, made up of vanilla ice cream and the ginger ale, the perfect combo of sweet and spicy that’s an iconic Michigan food.

Mmm, my mouth watering just looking at this. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into some of these delicacies. Tell us though, what are some of your all-time favorite Michigan-specific desserts? Did we miss any of your all-time favorite Michigan snacks or treats? Share them with us in the comments below!

Facebook/Original Murdick’s Fudge, Mackinac Island

A Mackinac Island original since 1887, Murdick’s makes homemade fudge, peanut brittle, and other sweets, making it a pioneer in Michigan confectioneries.

Original Murdick’s Fudge, 7363 Main St, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, USA

Facebook/May’s Candy Shop

This generations-long family business features a number of legendary seasonal fudge varieties, guaranteeing you’ll be satisfied all year long. Plus, you’ll be supporting one of the finest family-owned fudge shops in Michigan!

May’s Candy Shop, 7351 Main St, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, USA

Facebook/Donckers

Looking for a fall twist to your dessert? Try the pumpkin pie fudge from Donckers.

Donckers, 137 W Washington St, Marquette, MI 49855, USA

Facebook/Upper Crust Deli

Looking for some Michigan apple goodness? Try this delicious dessert from Upper Crust Bakery & Deli. Try this classic rendition, made just like mom.

Upper Crust Cafe Bakery & Deli, 375 Traders Point Dr, Manistique, MI 49854, USA

Facebook/Joe’s Cakes

Situated inside the Landmark Inn, this bakery gives you an incredible sour cream apple walnut pie… It’s universally delish.

Landmark Inn, 230 N Front St, Marquette, MI 49855, USA

Facebook/Sanders

This treat comes from German immigrant Fred Sanders Schmidt, who specialized in gourmet confections in Germany and Chicago, before coming up with his legendary Sanders Bumpy Cake and other chocolates when his family moved to Detroit following the Great Fire of 1871 in Chicago.

Magiscup - The Papercup & Sleeve/Flickr

Vernor’s gingle ale founder James Vernor came up with this concoction, made up of vanilla ice cream and the ginger ale, the perfect combo of sweet and spicy that’s an iconic Michigan food.

And if your sweet tooth is still aching, this delicious road trip visits the best pie shops in Michigan, and is sure to satisfy your every dessert craving!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Michigan desserts September 29, 2022 Sarah M. What dessert is Michigan best-known for? Cuisine is one of the most essential parts of a culture; in fact, for many states, there is even a particular food or dish signifies the state itself (AKA, synecdoche). In Maine, there’s the lobster roll. Kentucky? Bourbon! Texas: barbecue. Wisconsin is cheese. And Michigan? Fudge. In fact, in the Great Lakes State, there’s one region, in particular, that’s not just the fudge capital of the state; it’s the top fudge producer in the country. Mackinac Island is one of the most charming places in the country, period. Located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island is a delightful little coastal locale that enjoys a laid-back, old-fashioned way of life. In this no-car city in Michigan, you’ll find residents and visitors walking, biking, and even enjoying horse-drawn carriage rides around town, making for an incredibly endearing experience and a welcome reprieve from the rest of the world. Vehicles aside, Mackinac Island is perhaps best-known for its amazing fudge — the island has 14 fudge shops that collectively make more than 10,000 pounds of fudge per day during the peak season. Within this Willy Wonka wonderland, May’s Candy Shop is a fourth-generation, family-run confectioner that’s not only the town’s oldest it’s also the best and most beloved business in Michigan! What are some iconic Michigan foods? In addition to the Michigan desserts listed above, iconic foods from the Great Lakes State include the coney dog, Detroit square pizza, pasties, and, of course, apple everything. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Michigan desserts

September 29, 2022

Sarah M.

What dessert is Michigan best-known for? Cuisine is one of the most essential parts of a culture; in fact, for many states, there is even a particular food or dish signifies the state itself (AKA, synecdoche). In Maine, there’s the lobster roll. Kentucky? Bourbon! Texas: barbecue. Wisconsin is cheese. And Michigan? Fudge. In fact, in the Great Lakes State, there’s one region, in particular, that’s not just the fudge capital of the state; it’s the top fudge producer in the country. Mackinac Island is one of the most charming places in the country, period. Located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island is a delightful little coastal locale that enjoys a laid-back, old-fashioned way of life. In this no-car city in Michigan, you’ll find residents and visitors walking, biking, and even enjoying horse-drawn carriage rides around town, making for an incredibly endearing experience and a welcome reprieve from the rest of the world. Vehicles aside, Mackinac Island is perhaps best-known for its amazing fudge — the island has 14 fudge shops that collectively make more than 10,000 pounds of fudge per day during the peak season. Within this Willy Wonka wonderland, May’s Candy Shop is a fourth-generation, family-run confectioner that’s not only the town’s oldest it’s also the best and most beloved business in Michigan! What are some iconic Michigan foods? In addition to the Michigan desserts listed above, iconic foods from the Great Lakes State include the coney dog, Detroit square pizza, pasties, and, of course, apple everything. 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Cuisine is one of the most essential parts of a culture; in fact, for many states, there is even a particular food or dish signifies the state itself (AKA, synecdoche). In Maine, there’s the lobster roll. Kentucky? Bourbon! Texas: barbecue. Wisconsin is cheese. And Michigan? Fudge. In fact, in the Great Lakes State, there’s one region, in particular, that’s not just the fudge capital of the state; it’s the top fudge producer in the country. Mackinac Island is one of the most charming places in the country, period. Located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island is a delightful little coastal locale that enjoys a laid-back, old-fashioned way of life. In this no-car city in Michigan, you’ll find residents and visitors walking, biking, and even enjoying horse-drawn carriage rides around town, making for an incredibly endearing experience and a welcome reprieve from the rest of the world. Vehicles aside, Mackinac Island is perhaps best-known for its amazing fudge — the island has 14 fudge shops that collectively make more than 10,000 pounds of fudge per day during the peak season. Within this Willy Wonka wonderland, May’s Candy Shop is a fourth-generation, family-run confectioner that’s not only the town’s oldest it’s also the best and most beloved business in Michigan!

What are some iconic Michigan foods?

In addition to the Michigan desserts listed above, iconic foods from the Great Lakes State include the coney dog, Detroit square pizza, pasties, and, of course, apple everything.