If you’ve got a favorite bakery, you’ve likely also got a favorite pastry there. We all know and love macarons and croissants, but what are we missing out on? We asked pastry chefs and bakery owners to share their best but most under-appreciated pastries.  The resulting list ranges from a classic chocolate chip cookie to European delicacies, and even a childhood favorite: cosmic brownies.

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe, NoDa

The bakery: A French-inspired bakery that serves a range of pastries, café fare, and espresso
Most underrated pastry: Éclairs

Chocolatier Barrucand, Concord

The bakery: A husband-and-wife owned bakery specializing in artisan chocolates and classic French baked goods
Most underrated pastry: The dacquoise, a biscuit-based dessert with almond and hazelnut.

Copain, SouthPark

The bakery: A gourmet grocery store offering cheese, breads, charcuterie, and dessert
Most underrated pastry: Chocolate chip cookie

Manolo’s Bakery, East Charlotte

The bakery: A family-owned shop for sweet and savory Latin American baked goods.
Most underrated pastry: Moonshine fruitcake

Renaissance Pâtisserie, SouthPark

The bakery: Specialty bakery crafting customized cakes for all occasions, plus cookies, eclairs & other sweets
Most underrated pastry: Kouign-amann, a French laminated dough pastry

Renaissance Pâtisserie sells kouign-amann (bottom right), a delicate French pastry. Kristen Wile/UP

Suárez Bakery, Montford Park

The bakery: A Cuban bakery specializing in donuts, pastries and desserts
Most underrated pastry: Guava pastelito, a Cuban puff pastry

Sunflour Baking Co., Dilworth

The bakery: A locally owned and operated bakery and café with three locations
Most underrated pastry: Carrot cake scones

Villani’s Bakery, Plaza Midwood

The bakery: A popular grab-and-go bakery specializing in authentic Italian pastries
Most underrated pastry: Olive oil cake

Virtuoso Breadworks, Waxhaw

The bakery: An up-and-coming artisanal bread maker selling naturally leavened, fermented breads, croissants, and breakfast pastries
Most underrated pastry: Cosmic brownies

Wentworth & Fenn, Camp North End

The bakery: A gourmet bakery that specializes in custom cakes baked from scratch
Most underrated pastry: Lemon-kumquat tarte