Scoops, Sweets, and Seasonal Eats in Knoxville

When deciding where to take you next, it was a tough choice—there’s so much happening around the greater Knoxville area: festivals, coffee shops, farm-to-table restaurants, bakeries, and cozy little shops. How do you even choose? It wasn’t easy, but we love some good ice cream, so we decided that fall was the perfect time to talk about local ice cream shops and bakeries!

Of course, there’s no shortage of great local bakeries, so we chose just one this time. Feel free to send us your recommendations for your favorite spots—we’re always up for trying more.

This month, we visited three new-to-us places we’ve been eager to try: an ice cream shop in Powell, the recently reinvented creamery on the UT campus, and a beloved local bakery that’s been on our radar for a while. And don’t miss the bonus at the end—you’ll get a sneak peek of something we’ve previously mentioned!

NikNak’s Ice Cream Shop

First up is NikNak’s Ice Cream Shop, located in the Powell Shopping Center at 3537 W. Emory Rd., Powell. It’s right in our neck of the woods, and although we’ve visited several shops in this plaza (including a coffee favorite we’ve mentioned before), somehow we’d never stopped in here. And boy—should we have!

The first thing we noticed upon walking in was how cute, cozy, and friendly it was. The owner was there and so welcoming, as was the staff. They patiently walked us through all our options, and we landed on a single scoop of Oatmeal Cookie Craving in a homemade waffle cone (yes, homemade!). Think-oatmeal cream pie but in ice cream form!

NikNak’s serves premium Hershey’s ice cream with all the classic flavors—insider intel: chocolate is the shop’s best-seller. They also rotate seasonal favorites (we just missed pumpkin ice cream!) and offer everything from cones and sundaes to cakes and cookie sandwiches. They even have sugar-free alternatives, keep nut flavors separate, and truly cater to everyone.

Oh, and don’t miss the pup cups and cones for your furry friends! We got the cutest tiniest pup cone for our Anna Lee, and true to form, she devoured it in one bite—we’re still wondering if she got a brain freeze.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly outing, NikNak’s has the sweetest vintage-inspired mini games—think mini Pac-Man, Connect 4, and ring toss—and a mini claw machine! They also rent out their event space for parties or social gatherings. Birthday party? Check. Sundae social? Absolutely. Or just grab a cone and stroll the plaza—it’s a perfect little afternoon stop.

Find them on their website, Facebook, and Instagram for more info.

UT Creamery

Most of us know and love Cruze Farm Ice Cream—but friends, UT Creamery might just give them a run for their money! We’d heard about its recent reopening and knew it had to be on our ice cream trail. And wow—what a treat!

The shop is adorable—orange and white with black-and-white cow print details. Be still our hearts.

Located at 2712 Neyland Dr. in Knoxville, right off Kingston Pike, the Creamery is easy to access with plenty of parking nearby. A quick history: the UT Creamery was established in 1915 as a full-service creamery (ice cream, cheese, cottage cheese, and more). It operated until 1989, then reopened in 2023 as a collaboration between the UT College of Agriculture and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. The full story is worth reading on their website—it’s a neat piece of Knoxville history.

But let’s talk ice cream. We ordered a single scoop of pumpkin ice cream, and when they say “big scoops,” they mean it. It was creamy, rich, and had just the right balance of pumpkin and cream—not overpowering at all. They also have creative flavor names inspired by local legends—take for example-VOLnilla Bean or Go Big Orange. Pretty easy to figure these two out. But how about the Midnight at Hodges or 1794 Birthday Cake. Do you know what these two represent?

We highly recommend a stop here next time you’re in Knoxville. And if you’re on campus, you can also enjoy UT Creamery ice cream in a milkshake at the Big Orange Grill in the Student Union!

Find them on their website, Facebook, and Instagram for more info.

Heidi’s Bakery

We’d be remiss not to include a bakery in this roundup, and honestly—how did it take us so long to visit Heidi’s Bakery? Located at 4505 Greenway Drive in Knoxville, this spot has been delighting locals for about nine years. What began as a recipe blog eventually evolved into a brick-and-mortar bakery that’s conveniently situated near East Knoxville shopping, with easy access off I-640.

The building is as inviting as the treats inside. Step through the door, and you’re greeted with a warm, cozy space filled with tables for relaxing, working, or catching up with friends. Heidi’s serves not only desserts but also light lunch options (did you see that pimento cheese sandwich?) and specialty coffee drinks.

We indulged in the Dubai Chocolate Latte over ice—think mocha with pistachio. Yum. We also sampled the cannoli, lemon-blueberry bars, and a cinnamon roll (which we reheated the next morning with coffee—perfection).

Everything is made from scratch, and you can see the bakers in action through the open workshop. They even offer ready-to-heat meals like Shepherd’s Pie and Enchilada Casserole at the counter—a nice touch for busy days.

For more information, visit Heidi’s website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Bonus: Washington Presbyterian Apple Fest

If you read our September post, you might remember we mentioned the Washington Presbyterian Apple Fest. We had to report back because, friends—it’s one you’ll want to add to your calendar for 2026. According to the church’s website, the festival is held every year on the third Saturday in October, and it’s not to be missed.

The event takes place in the field across from the church at 7405 Washington Pike in Corryton. Don’t worry—there’s signage, parking assistance, and plenty of help on site. Just be patient; it’s a popular event, and for good reason.

The festival may be small, but it’s mighty. There’s something for everyone: a photo wall, bonfire, scavenger hunts, Granny’s Attic resale, and live bluegrass. But there are three absolute musts: the homemade apple fritters, freshly pressed apple cider, and pulled pork lunch. People wait in line for nearly an hour for these—and it’s worth every minute.

It’s a cash-only event, so plan accordingly. Prices are refreshingly reasonable—a gallon of fresh cider (pressed on site!) is only $8, and lunch is $10 for a full plate with sides and a drink. You’ll also find local crafts, tamales, and nonprofit booths that benefit from the festival’s proceeds.

Mark your calendar now—you’ll thank us next year. More details are available on the church’s website and Facebook page.

That’s a Wrap!

That concludes our November adventures. Have a favorite East Tennessee hidden gem we should check out next? Send us a message or tag us on Instagram @destinationtnvalley! We’re always on the hunt for new spots to feature in our Tennessee Valley Guide series.

About the Author:

Kristin is the creative behind Chicken Librarian where she shares real-life stories, seasonal living inspiration, and her love for all things local. A freelance blogger and storyteller, she’s been chronicling her journey since 2017 at chickenlibrarian.com. Through her writing, Kristin celebrates slower living, community, and the simple beauty found in everyday moments — from small-town bakeries to life on her own farmstead.