Tucked along South Stratford Road in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Dewey’s Bakery has been sweetening lives for nearly a century. Whether you grew up biting into their famous Moravian cookies or discovered their irresistible Pink Lemonade Cake Square just last week, there is something here that keeps people coming back year after year.
Families who first visited as children now bring their own kids and grandkids through those same doors. Here are ten reasons why Dewey’s Bakery at 262 S Stratford Rd has earned its legendary status in the hearts of Winston-Salem locals and visitors alike.
The Pink Lemonade Cake Square That Started It All
Some treats become legendary not because of fancy ingredients, but because of the way they make you feel. The Pink Lemonade Cake Square at Dewey’s Bakery is exactly that kind of treat.
One bite of its soft, citrusy cake and sweet pink frosting and you understand immediately why customers have been requesting it for decades.
The flavor is cheerful and bright, like a summer afternoon packed neatly into a handheld square. It is not overly tart, not overly sweet, but perfectly balanced in a way that feels almost nostalgic.
Reviewers consistently mention it as a personal favorite, with one loyal customer calling it their all-time top pick from the entire bakery menu.
What makes this item even more special is how it connects generations. Grandparents who discovered it years ago now watch their grandchildren light up at the same treat.
Dewey’s has managed to bottle that feeling of joy and sell it in a little pink square. If you visit only once, this is the one item you absolutely cannot leave without trying.
Nearly 95 Years of Baking History in Winston-Salem
Not many bakeries get to celebrate nearly a century of business, but Dewey’s Bakery in Winston-Salem has done exactly that. Founded decades ago, this beloved institution has watched the city grow and change while continuing to serve the same quality baked goods that made it famous in the first place.
That kind of staying power does not happen by accident.
A reviewer who recently moved to the area described the bakery as a place that felt like a dream the moment they walked through the door. They noted that their spouse’s family had been celebrating milestones with Dewey’s cakes and treats for generations.
Stories like that one are not uncommon among Winston-Salem locals who grew up treating Dewey’s as a community cornerstone.
The bakery’s history is woven into the fabric of the city itself. From birthday cakes to holiday cookies to retirement celebration sheet cakes, Dewey’s has been present for the big moments in countless families’ lives.
Walking inside feels less like visiting a store and more like stepping into a living piece of North Carolina history that still smells absolutely incredible.
Moravian Cookies: The Thin, Crispy Legend of North Carolina
Few things say Winston-Salem quite like a Moravian cookie, and Dewey’s Bakery is widely credited as one of the originators of this beloved regional treat. Paper-thin, snappy, and packed with warm spice flavors, these cookies are unlike anything you will find at a grocery store chain.
One reviewer called them an essential part of Christmas in Winston-Salem, and that sentiment echoes across hundreds of loyal customers.
The cookies come in several flavors, with ginger spice and sugar being the most popular. Dewey’s sells them in gift tins that make perfect presents for friends and family, especially those who do not live in North Carolina.
You can even order them directly from the bakery’s website and have them shipped anywhere in the country, which several reviewers said they do every single holiday season.
One honest reviewer did mention that the thin cookies can break easily in transit inside gift tins, which is worth keeping in mind when gifting. Still, the flavor more than makes up for any fragility concerns.
Biting into a Dewey’s Moravian cookie is a genuinely special experience, one that food lovers across the country have come to treasure as a taste of authentic Southern heritage.
Custom Celebration Cakes That Bring Your Vision to Life
Planning a birthday, retirement party, or special milestone? Dewey’s Bakery at 262 S Stratford Rd has built a strong reputation for turning customers’ cake dreams into delicious reality.
One parent shared how she brought in inspiration photos for her daughter’s sixth birthday cake and watched a staff member carefully sketch out the design, incorporating every detail she requested, from multiple colors to two tiers and a custard filling.
The customization process at Dewey’s is refreshingly personal. Staff take time to listen, draw out ideas, and confirm details before the baking begins.
One customer noted that the custard filling added only ten dollars to the total cost and that the bakery placed her pre-purchased cake toppers and candles directly on the finished cake without any extra charge. That kind of thoughtful service goes a long way.
Another reviewer ordered a large sheet cake entirely over the phone and email from Virginia, and was moved to tears when she saw the finished result at her cousin’s retirement ceremony. The staff member named Daisy guided her through the process patiently and delivered exactly what was envisioned.
When a bakery can do that remotely, it says everything about the skill and care behind the counter at Dewey’s.
The Sugar Cake: A Winston-Salem Sweet Tradition
If the Moravian cookie is the crown jewel of Dewey’s savory-sweet lineup, then the Sugar Cake is its warm, pillowy counterpart that locals absolutely adore. Soft, slightly sweet, and topped with a buttery cinnamon-sugar layer, this regional specialty has been a staple of Winston-Salem holiday tables for generations.
Multiple reviewers ranked it as their number one pick from the entire bakery.
Sugar Cake has deep roots in Moravian culinary tradition, and Dewey’s version stays true to that heritage with every batch. The texture is somewhere between a dinner roll and a coffee cake, making it equally at home at breakfast or as a dessert.
One longtime customer said they cannot imagine Christmas without picking up a Sugar Cake from Dewey’s, and many others echoed that feeling of seasonal tradition.
What makes this treat stand out is its simplicity. There are no elaborate decorations or flashy flavors here, just honest, old-fashioned baking done with real skill.
For anyone new to Winston-Salem or visiting for the first time, picking up a Sugar Cake alongside a tin of Moravian cookies is basically a rite of passage. It is the kind of food that makes a place feel like home almost instantly.
Cupcakes and Cake Squares That Smell as Good as They Taste
Walking into Dewey’s Bakery on South Stratford Road is a full sensory experience. The moment the door swings open, a wave of sugar, butter, and fresh-baked everything rushes out to greet you.
One reviewer joked that they wish the bakery could bottle that scent, and honestly, it is hard to disagree. The aroma alone is worth the trip.
Beyond the smell, the cupcake and cake square selection at Dewey’s is genuinely impressive. From classic chocolate and vanilla to the star of the show, the Pink Lemonade variety, there is something for every kind of sweet tooth.
The frosting is rich and smooth, and the cake itself stays moist in a way that packaged cupcakes simply cannot replicate. One reviewer raved that the cupcakes were absolutely delicious on their very first visit.
Cake squares are a particularly popular format at Dewey’s because they are easy to handle, share, and transport. They show up at office parties, school events, and family gatherings all across Winston-Salem.
The portion size feels generous without being overwhelming, and the variety of flavors available on any given day keeps regulars excited to see what is fresh. These are the kinds of treats that turn first-time visitors into lifelong fans.
Friendly Staff That Makes Every Visit Feel Personal
A great bakery is about more than just the food. The people behind the counter matter just as much, and at Dewey’s, most customers agree that the staff genuinely make the experience special.
Reviewers consistently describe the team as kind, helpful, and willing to spend real time guiding customers toward the right choice, whether that is a flavor of cookie or the design of a custom cake.
One customer who had just moved to Winston-Salem said the staff helped them understand the different Moravian cookie flavors and even surprised them with a free slice of cake during their visit. Another reviewer described a staff member named Daisy who patiently walked them through the entire custom cake ordering process over the phone, reassuring them every step of the way.
That kind of one-on-one attention is rare in any retail setting today.
Of course, no business is perfect, and a handful of reviews have mentioned service hiccups, particularly around packaging and wait times. But the overwhelming majority of Dewey’s customers leave feeling cared for and satisfied.
When a bakery has been around for nearly a century, the warmth you feel walking through the door is not an accident. It is built intentionally, one customer interaction at a time.
Eclairs, Brownies, and Pastries Worth Writing Home About
Beyond the iconic Moravian cookies and cake squares, Dewey’s Bakery offers a rotating selection of pastries that keep regulars on their toes. The eclairs have their own fan club, with one long-time customer declaring them their absolute favorite item after sampling nearly everything the bakery has ever made.
Rich chocolate glaze on top of a perfectly airy choux shell filled with cream is hard to argue with.
Brownies at Dewey’s are another crowd-pleaser on most visits. One reviewer described trying one for the first time and noting its deep, rich chocolate flavor.
It is the kind of brownie that is dense and satisfying without being dry or crumbly, a balance that home bakers know is surprisingly tricky to achieve consistently.
Blondies, cream horns, apple tarts, and Napoleons round out a pastry case that gives customers plenty of reasons to visit more than once. The variety means there is almost always something new to try, even for people who have been coming for years.
Dewey’s does not rely on just one or two signature items to keep the doors open. The depth of their pastry lineup shows a bakery team that genuinely cares about the full experience of every customer who walks in.
Local Merchandise and North Carolina-Themed Gifts
Dewey’s Bakery is not just a place to satisfy a sweet tooth. It is also a surprisingly fun spot to pick up gifts, souvenirs, and locally themed merchandise.
Mugs, books, decorative pillows, and other North Carolina-inspired items line the shelves alongside the pastry cases, making it easy to turn a quick cookie run into a full shopping experience.
Several reviewers have specifically called out the store’s eclectic merchandise selection as one of the things that sets it apart from a typical bakery. One visitor described the shop as having lots to look at and plenty of North Carolina-themed merch, calling it more of a shop and bakery combination than a traditional pastry counter.
That dual identity gives the space a warm, boutique-style energy that feels welcoming and unhurried.
If you are visiting Winston-Salem and want to bring back something meaningful for people back home, Dewey’s has you covered on multiple fronts. You can grab a tin of Moravian cookies, a locally designed mug, and a box of cake squares all in one stop.
One loyal reviewer even mentioned wishing the bakery sold branded sweatshirts so they could wear their love for Dewey’s everywhere. That level of affection says a lot about how deeply this place connects with its community.
A Community Gathering Spot That Has Stood the Test of Time
Some businesses exist purely for transactions. Dewey’s Bakery has always been something more.
Located in the Throughway Shopping Center on South Stratford Road, the bakery sits in a spot that has become a natural meeting point for Winston-Salem residents across every age group. Families stop in after school.
Couples grab coffee and cupcakes on weekend mornings. Friends reunite over a box of Moravian cookies.
The bakery earns a 4.3-star rating across more than a thousand reviews on Google, which speaks to a consistently positive experience for the vast majority of visitors. Open seven days a week, with hours running from 8 AM to 9 PM most days and 11 AM to 6 PM on Sundays, Dewey’s makes itself accessible to people with all kinds of schedules.
You can also call ahead at 336-725-8321 or browse their website at deweys.com to place orders.
Three generations of families returning to the same bakery is not something that happens by coincidence. It happens because a place makes people feel something real, a sense of belonging, comfort, and joy that goes beyond any single cupcake or cookie.
Dewey’s Bakery at 262 S Stratford Rd has built that feeling carefully over nearly a century, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.