written by Julie Lee | featured photo courtesy of Bruce’s Candy Kitchen

Nothing beats a sweet treat in summer heat, especially when enjoyed in the snappy, salty Oregon Coastal air. Here are five favorites spots for a summer dessert on the Oregon Coast.

Bruce’s Candy Kitchen

Move over Willy Wonka; Bruce’s Candy Kitchen is a child’s dream—no matter the age of the child. Serving coastal sweet hounds since 1963, this little candy shop churns out some of the best salt water taffy found this side of Atlantic City. Taffy is pulled on site, and bins of individually wrapped bite sized goodies are available to mix and match into bags of your favorite flavors. For a stroll down nostalgia lane, Bruce’s has just about any candy imaginable from childhood.

256 N. Hemlock, Cannon Beach | brucescandy.com

Nye Beach Sweets

For those with a sweet tooth, Nye Beach Sweets is Emerald City. Truffles and fudge and caramel dream popcorn, oh my! Fudge takes center stage here: housemade and deliciously creamy with flavors for all, from dark chocolate salted caramel (yum!) to peanut butter explosion and orange cream fudge. A must try sweet spot in Newport.

314 NW Coast St., Newport | nyebeachsweets.com

Ainslee’s Homemade Salt Water Taffy

Ainslee’s Homemade Salt Water Taffy in Depoe Bay has treated guests to salt water taffy kisses since 1947. Still in its original location in this quaint fishing village, visitors can watch the entire taffy making process, from cooking to cooling to pulling. The bonus in making the same thing for 60 years is perfecting it, then changing nothing. This is a simple, non-preservative-laden, pure coastal treat.

66 Highway 101 SE, Depoe Bay | ainslees.com

Zinger’s Homemade Ice Cream

We all scream for Zinger’s homemade ice cream. Nothing says summer like walking the Seaside promenade with a Zinger’s ice cream cone in your hand, licking away at a rich double scoop of chosen flavors. Zinger’s does ice cream right: made on site using eighteen percent butterfat and natural ingredients for that “churned at home” taste.

210 Broadway, Seaside | zingersicecream.com

Frite & Scoop

For foodies looking for a savory, sweet mix, Frite & Scoop on Astoria’s riverwalk is utopic. Marrying house made salty, crispy Belgian frites sprinkled with sea or rosemary salt and small-batch French-custard style ice cream, owners Kevin and Lisa Malcolm add a layer of culinary pizazz to a bustling coastal town brimming with already great food options.

175 14th St. #150, Astoria | friteandscoop.com