This Bakery Has Arguably the Best Pastries in North Carolina

Towering lighthouses, windswept coast, and wild horses usually get all the glory in the Outer Banks, but these barrier islands are also known for their foodie delights, including one of the best pastries in North Carolina. When it comes to breakfast, there’s one confection that stands out from the rest — the Apple Uglies at Orange Blossom Bakery in Hatteras. 

Tucked in the shadow of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest on the North Carolina coast, Orange Blossom Bakery has been dishing up Apple Uglies to the Hatteras community and throngs of visitors for over 40 years. Pulling up to this unassuming establishment, a small, white building along the famous NC12 Highway, you wouldn’t expect to find the best breakfast in town. Named for orange trees that used to grow on the property, you’ll pull up to the little cottage, marked by a bright blue sign out front. 

Step inside to the smell of cinnamon wafting from the kitchen, and get ready to order! The lines sometimes stretch into the parking lot, and the bakery is run like a tight ship. You’ll want to arrive first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds, especially in the summer months. 

The Apple Uglies are the star of the show and absolutely delicious, despite their misleading name. About the size of a dinner plate, or a human head, these misshapen confections are in the same vein as apple turnovers, only giant. You’ll see them stacked on a countertop to the right as soon as you walk in the door, just waiting to be devoured. In a remote community like Hatteras, nothing goes to waste, which is how Apple Uglies were born. Created using leftover donut dough, a delicious concoction of cinnamon apples is lathered inside before being twisted into its iconic, lumpy shape. This is the perfect tear-apart breakfast to share.

Aside from their famous Apple Uglies, Orange Blossom Bakery also offers chocolate-covered Uglies, donuts, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and breakfast sandwiches. Grab a steaming hot cup of coffee and take your plunder out to the front porch, where you’ll find plenty of tables and rocking chairs to gobble up one of the best pastries in North Carolina. There’s also a high likelihood that one of the neighborhood cats will come looking for scraps and scratches under the chin! Keep in mind that Orange Blossom Bakery closes on New Year's Day and reopens at the beginning of April. 

If you’re looking for a spot to enjoy your Apple Uglies with a view, head to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, just a 4-minute drive away. The lighthouse you see today was built in 1870, long before Apple Uglies graced this corner of the Outer Banks. It replaced a smaller lighthouse that was closer to the coast, a site that you can also opt for if you’d rather have panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Of course, you can grab your Uglies to-go for a longer road trip, too. Head up the coast to nearby Rodanthe and the Chicamocomico LifeSaving Station for a history lesson on the area or up to the Bodie Island Lighthouse, surrounded by pristine pine forest. 

For those who are planning on spending the day in Hatteras and looking for more classic OBX treats, Cafe Pamlico offers beautiful views of the Pamlico Sound and locally sourced seafood, while Buxton Munch is great for unpretentious bites like fish tacos and groovy decor. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.