At first glance, Cotton-Top Pastries almost seems too good to be true. Located at the base of Helena’s historic Reeder’s Alley, this little dessert shop makes fresh treats from scratch every morning in small batches to preserve freshness and quality. But all it takes is one bite to realize you’ve discovered a true hidden gem… and you’ll never be able to go back to those mass produced goodies.

Cotton-Top Pastries was founded over five years ago by Holly Weist, who owns and operates things to this day.
Cotton-Top Pastries Facebook
Holly was born and raised in Montana, but she eventually explored for awhile. She lived in San Francisco before moving to Yssingeaux, France, to attend the Nationale Supérieure de la Pâtisserie, where she perfected her pastry skills. After spending years in a pastry kitchen in North Carolina, Montana called her home.
When Holly returned to Helena, she opened Cotton-Top in the city's historic Reeder's Alley.
Cotton-Top Pastries Facebook
Walking through Reeder's Alley feels like a pleasant trip through the past, so this bakery feels right at home there since it's a slow-batch kitchen where things are done the old-fashioned way.
The sweet treats here are baked fresh each morning, and a lot of effort goes in to making them perfect.
Cotton-Top Pastries Facebook
This means the selection of goodies rotates... and when they're gone, they're gone. However, you can check the bakery Facebook page for frequent updates so you can plan ahead.

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Ingredients are sourced with care and purchased locally whenever possible, and you can really taste the difference.
Cotton-Top Pastries Facebook
Cotton-Top recipes always use Wheat Montana Flour, local Hutterite eggs, and real butter.
You'll find both classic pastries and seasonal specials here, like these Cranberry Spritz Glazed Cruffins.
Cotton-Top Pastries Facebook
Holly also makes savory pastries to enjoy for lunch.
If you'll be in Helena on Christmas Eve, don't miss the bakery's first annual Christmas Eve bake.
Cotton-Top Pastries Facebook
Sip coffee and stock up on your favorite holiday goodies, like cruffins, croissants, croisstatas, buns, scones, and more. It's too late to custom order any specialty desserts before Christmas, so this is your best bet.
The next time you find yourself near Reeder's Alley, check out Cotton-Top Pastries.
Reeder's Alley Facebook
Since it's a small business, hours are limited to Wednesday - Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until they run out of pastries (usually by 1 p.m.).

Intrigued? Keep up with the current happenings at Cotton-Top Bakery on their Facebook page.

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212 S Park Ave, Helena, MT 59601, USA