TRAVELMAG

10 Mississippi Bakeries Baking Pies Ahead Of Thanksgiving

Eliza Thornton 13 min read
10 Mississippi Bakeries Baking Pies Ahead Of Thanksgiving

There’s a street in Mississippi called Sweet Potato Avenue. And yes, there’s a bakery on it selling sweet potato pies. At that point, the town might as well put a fork on its welcome sign.

The town calls itself the Sweet Potato Capital of the World, so clearly it knows what it’s doing. But Mississippi’s pie obsession doesn’t stop there.

One downtown bakery has been around since 1949 and is now in its third generation. Over on the Gulf Coast, you can pick up mini pecan pies alongside banh mi and bubble tea.

Try explaining that shopping bag to your grandma.

Come November, the choices get downright unfair. Pumpkin pecan, coconut, lemon meringue, and sweet potato pies are all competing for space on the Thanksgiving table.

And those little individual pies? Cute idea. As if I’m stopping at one.

1. Sweet Potato Sweets

Sweet Potato Sweets
© Sweet Potato Sweets

When your bakery’s address is literally on Sweet Potato Avenue, you’d better nail the sweet potato pie. Good news: that’s exactly the specialty here.

Vardaman calls itself the Sweet Potato Capital of the World, and this little shop takes that title seriously. The menu centers on a wide variety of sweet potato pies, breads, and treats.

Let’s talk about the star of the show. The sweet potato pie topped with pecans earns special love, and honestly, it sounds like Thanksgiving in a single bite.

Can’t decide between a sweet potato pie and a pecan pie? This version politely refuses to make you choose, which feels like the most Southern solution possible.

The classic sweet potato pie is the other big draw. It’s the kind of pie that shows up on holiday tables and quietly disappears before the coffee is poured.

Plenty of folks make this a yearly trip before the holidays. That tells you something about a bakery in a town this small.

Planning matters, so here’s the practical part. The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed on Sundays.

There’s no delivery, so you’ll need to swing by in person. Think of it as a scenic excuse to see the sweet potato heartland of Mississippi.

Grab more than one pie if you can. Leftover sweet potato pie for breakfast is a tradition worth starting.

Address: 117 E Sweet Potato Ave, Vardaman, MS 38878

2. Sugaree’s Bakery

Sugaree's Bakery
© Sugaree’s Bakery

A bakery that ships across the country but still runs out of a downtown storefront? New Albany’s pride and joy pulls off that trick with style.

Sugaree’s Bakery is a nationally recognized spot built on made-from-scratch Southern baking. Layer cakes get top billing, but the pie side of the case deserves your attention too.

Chocolate fans, pay close attention here. The chocolate pie has a strong following, and the chocolate icing on the cakes gets plenty of praise as well.

Pecan lovers have a smart option in the pecan tarts. They’re a handy pick when you want pecan flavor without slicing a full pie at the table.

Of course, your dessert spread doesn’t have to stop at pie. Caramel cake, red velvet cake, coconut cake, and blackberry cheesecake all appear on the lineup.

Need a few nibbles for the relatives who “just want a little something”? Russian teacakes, pralines, lemon squares, brownies, and cupcakes make easy crowd pleasers.

The bakery leans into a love of old family recipes and community. That spirit fits right in with a holiday built around gathering everyone at one table.

Timing is key, since the shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. There’s no dine-in, so plan on grabbing your goodies to go.

Curbside pickup and delivery are both options. Free street parking makes a quick stop simple, too.

Address: 110 W Bankhead St, New Albany, MS 38652

3. Sugar Magnolia Takery

Sugar Magnolia Takery
© Sugar Magnolia Takery

Here’s a shop that understands Thanksgiving is about more than dessert. Sugar Magnolia Takery covers pies and the casseroles that sit beside the turkey.

This Flowood favorite calls itself a Southern bakery and comfort food provider. Homemade casseroles and signature king cakes are a big part of its reputation.

Holiday pies are the reason it lands on this list. The pie lineup is a seasonal highlight, and folks make a point of stopping in for them before family feasts.

Honestly, this is a great one-stop plan for busy hosts. Pick up a pie, grab a casserole, and suddenly you look way more organized than you feel.

Outside of holiday season, the daily lunch specials and salads keep people coming back. You can dine in, take it to go, or arrange delivery.

The staff has a reputation for being knowledgeable and friendly. That helps a lot when you’re staring at the case trying to feed twelve people.

Want to dodge a crowd? Midweek afternoons tend to be busy, while Saturday mornings and evenings run quieter.

Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Sundays are closed, so don’t leave your pie run for the last minute.

There’s a free parking lot, restrooms, coffee, and wi-fi. It’s the kind of stop that makes holiday errands feel a little less like errands.

Address: 5417 MS-25, Flowood, MS 39232

4. Paul’s Pastry Shop

Paul's Pastry Shop
© Paul’s Pastry Shop

Shipping a sweet surprise to Aunt Linda three states away can make the holidays a little more special.

Paul’s Pastry Shop in Picayune happily offers shipping or local pickup.

That flexibility is a big deal in November.

You can order one of Paul’s famous king cakes for shipping or pick up pies and other baked goods at the bakery.

The pie selection is a real draw here. The shop is known for a large variety of fresh pies and cakes, so browsing is half the fun.

Don’t skip the pecan praline while you’re at it. It’s praised for balancing pecans and sweetness just right, which is a tricky little dance.

King cakes are another famous specialty, especially once Mardi Gras season rolls around. For now, though, consider this your early heads-up for January.

The lineup goes well beyond dessert. Birthday cakes, muffins, cookies, breads, and even pickles share space in this casual cafe.

Hungry before you shop? Breakfast, sandwiches, Southern bites, and coffee are on hand, and you can eat inside.

Saturday mornings and afternoons are the busiest stretch. Weekday evenings tend to be calmer if you want an easier visit.

Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The shop closes on Sundays and Mondays.

A free parking lot, restrooms, and free wi-fi round things out. It’s an easy stop for anyone traveling through this corner of Mississippi.

Address: 1 Sycamore Rd A, Picayune, MS 39466

5. Jody’s Bakery & Caterie

Jody's Bakery & Caterie
© Jody’s Bakery & Caterie

Pecan pie is basically a love language in the South. In Hattiesburg, Jody’s Bakery & Caterie speaks it fluently.

This long-running, family-operated shop gets steady praise for its scrumptious pecan pie. If your holiday table needs one dependable classic, start right here.

The bakery covers far more than pie. Breads, pastries, custom cakes, and classic Southern catering are all part of the mix.

That catering side is handy around the holidays. Hosting a big crowd feels less scary when someone else handles part of the meal.

Now for the extras worth tossing in your bag. Rainbow cookies, peanut butter kisses, and pecan pralines are menu highlights.

Birthday cakes have a strong reputation too. So if a family birthday lands near Thanksgiving, you can knock out two errands at once.

Early birds will appreciate the hours. The shop opens at 7:30 AM on weekdays and runs until 6 PM.

Saturday hours are shorter, from 9 AM to 3 PM, and Sundays are closed. Friday mornings and afternoons tend to get busy.

There’s no dine-in, but you’ve got options. Curbside pickup, delivery, and in-store pickup make the process smooth.

Parking is easy with a free lot and on-site spaces. Grab your pie, maybe a few pralines, and get back to basting.

Address: 6058 US 49, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

6. Quality Bakery

Quality Bakery
© Quality Bakery

Some family businesses talk a big game with their names. Quality Bakery has backed its name up since 1949.

This downtown Gulfport shop is now a third-generation family bakery. That’s more than seven decades of coastal holiday baking, and counting.

So what should you grab? Pecan pies and pecan rolls are the top recommendations, which makes this a pecan lover’s dream stop.

Bring home a pecan pie for Thanksgiving dinner. Then sneak a few pecan rolls for the morning after, when everyone wanders into the kitchen half awake.

The shop is known for a wide selection of fresh baked goods. King cake is also a menu highlight once Carnival season arrives on the coast.

Customer service gets strong marks too. That’s comforting when you’re picking up holiday orders in a hurry.

Now, pay close attention to the schedule. The bakery is open Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3:30 PM.

It’s closed on both Saturday and Sunday. If you’re used to weekend errands, this one needs a weekday plan.

Quality Bakery offers takeout service, making it convenient to pick up pies and other baked goods.

It’s built for a quick visit, so you can be in and out with your pie fast.

A bakery that has fed Gulfport for three generations is worth a detour. Your holiday table could use a little of that history.

Address: 1623 25th Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501

7. Connor’s Sweets

Connor’s Sweets
© Connor’s Sweets

Sweet potato pie and a sweet potato muffin in the same stop? Macon’s Connor’s Sweets makes a strong case for doubling up.

The sweet potato pie here earns praise for rich flavor and a spot-on texture. That’s exactly what you want sitting on your Thanksgiving dessert table.

The sweet potato muffin has fans of its own. Grab one for the car ride, because nobody should have to wait until dinner for a treat.

This bakery does more than desserts, too. Breakfast and lunch are on the menu alongside fresh baked goods.

Coffee is available, and you can dine in or take your order to go. It’s an easy spot for a quick bite while you run holiday errands.

The team has a reputation for being super sweet. The food also tends to come out fresh and hot, which never hurts.

Small-town bakeries like this one add real flavor to Mississippi holidays. They feel personal in a way that big chain stores just can’t match.

Here’s what to know before heading over. Weekday hours run from 7:30 AM to 5 PM.

Saturday hours are short, from 10 AM to 2 PM, and Sundays are closed. There’s no delivery, so plan to pick up in person.

If sweet potato is your holiday flavor of choice, mark this one down. Then maybe buy two pies, just to be safe.

Address: 3123 Jefferson St, Macon, MS 39341

8. Fleur De Lis Gourmet Bakery

Fleur De Lis Gourmet Bakery
© Fleur De Lis Gourmet Bakery

Pumpkin pie or pecan pie is the classic Thanksgiving debate. Fleur De Lis Gourmet Bakery settles it with a pumpkin pecan pie.

This petite Gulfport storefront focuses on European-inspired desserts and made-to-order cakes. Espresso drinks are on the menu too, which pairs nicely with a slice of anything.

Pie fans have plenty to love here. Key lime pie and coconut pie both get top-tier praise, and the key lime tarts have a following too.

Cheesecake lovers aren’t left out, either. Carrot cheesecake and strawberry cheesecake have been big hits with visitors.

The cake case is just as tempting. Belgian chocolate mousse cake, German chocolate cake, and strawberry Bavarian cream cake are highlights.

Here’s a smart tip for the holiday rush. The selection can run thin late on Saturday afternoons, so arrive early for the best choice.

Afternoons on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday tend to be busiest. Weekday mornings are your quieter window.

The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. It’s closed Sunday and Monday.

Service is takeout, with no delivery. A free parking lot and restroom make a quick stop easy.

If your family can’t agree on one pie, bring home a few. A coconut pie and a pumpkin pecan pie should keep the peace.

Address: 500 B Courthouse Rd, Gulfport, MS 39507

9. Le Bakery

Le Bakery
© Le Bakery

Mini pecan pies, banh mi, and bubble tea in one place? Biloxi’s Le Bakery proves your holiday shopping can be delightfully unexpected.

This chill, family-run spot serves French and Asian desserts alongside Vietnamese eats. It’s a perfect example of how flavorful the Mississippi coast can be.

For Thanksgiving, look for the mini pecan pies. They’re a cute, easy way to give each guest a personal dessert.

The coconut yucca pie is another interesting pick. It’s a fun change of pace if your family likes trying something new.

Turnovers deserve a spot on your list as well. Apple, blueberry, and chocolate with Bavarian cream are among the options.

Bread lovers, you’re in for a treat. French bread, butter croissants, praline pecan rolls, and jalapeno cheddar bread all show up here.

Need a savory bite before you head home? Meat pies, pork buns, ham and cheese rolls, and banh mi, including a tofu version, are on the menu.

Timing matters, since this bakery keeps morning hours. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM.

Mondays are closed, and mornings tend to be busy. Arrive early if you’re picking up for a crowd.

Free parking and takeout make the visit simple. Just try not to eat the mini pies in the car.

Address: 280 Oak St, Biloxi, MS 39530

10. Honey Pies Bakery, LLC

Honey Pies Bakery, LLC
© Honey Pies Bakery, LLC

With a name like Honey Pies, you already know where this bakery’s heart is. Pies sit front and center at this Pontotoc favorite.

The shop sits in the heart of downtown Pontotoc on Main Street. It’s a bakery and sandwich shop that specializes in homemade pies and assorted desserts.

The lemon meringue pie is a menu highlight. It’s a bright, tangy break from the heavier desserts that crowd most Thanksgiving tables.

Little pies are another reason to stop by. They make a perfect quick snack, and they’re easy to share with picky eaters.

Lunch is part of the deal here, too. Hot pressed sandwiches and different sides make it easy to grab a meal along with dessert.

The food is handmade, and the service comes with plenty of Southern friendliness. That combination feels right at home in a small Mississippi downtown.

Now for the important part: the hours are short. The bakery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 2 PM.

Sundays and Mondays are closed. Plan ahead so you don’t arrive to locked doors and an empty pie plate.

Honey Pies Bakery offers both dine-in seating and takeout, so visitors can enjoy lunch at the bakery or pick up desserts to go.

Free parking in a lot or on the street keeps things easy.

Grab a whole pie for the table and a little one for yourself. Consider it a reward for surviving holiday prep.

Address: 107 N Main St, Pontotoc, MS 38863