Guess work is part of the fun at Living the Sweet Life, a one-and-a-half-month-old artisan-treats shop in Lower Highland that bakes in small batches to ensure freshness and ever-changing variety.

My favorite item to date has been the dangerously delicious pecan-caramel bar, which owner Erika Cunha perks up with lemon and orange zest. A close second is the nutty, powdered-sugar-dusted Mexican wedding cake. But, you can hardly go wrong with buttery chocolate-chip cookies, vanilla cupcakes (topped with a perfectly salty buttercream frosting), fudge-y brownies, or raspberry linzer bars.

I’ve also got my eye on Cunha’s pies, which are her favorite desserts to bake. Her apple comes swathed in a layer of caramel, while her pumpkin raises the Thanksgiving bar with sweetened cream cheese on the bottom and candied walnuts and homemade English toffee on top. Come Christmastime, she’ll bake up a limited number of huckleberry pies—with fruit she handpicked in Idaho. (Tip: She’s already taking orders for holiday pies.)

1535 Central St., 303-477-8088

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.