When you’re savoring a slice of chocolate cake or a flaky croissant in one of Austin’s best restaurants, you might think the magic came from an in-house pastry chef. But here’s the city’s sweetest secret: much of that dessert brilliance actually comes from a handful of small, independent bakeries working quietly behind the scenes. One of the most beloved among them is Quack’s Bakery – a local legend that has been keeping Austin sugar-buzzed for more than four decades.
1. The Humble Beginning That Became an Austin Institution
Quack’s started as a tiny coffeehouse and bakery in 1983, long before “artisan pastries” were a trend. Nestled in Hyde Park, it quickly became a community favorite — the kind of place where students, musicians, and night-owls alike could get a perfect cookie or muffin after midnight.
Over the years, Quack’s reputation for from-scratch baking grew beyond its café walls, earning it a loyal following among both locals and chefs.
2. Baking from Scratch, No Shortcuts Allowed
Every Quack’s treat — from their famous chocolate chip cookies to towering layer cakes — is made the old-fashioned way…