Although most of us hate to admit it, it's great fun to indulge in satisfying a sweet tooth. And whether it's stopping for a personal craving on the way to an appointment, sending a box of handmade chocolates to a loved one or picking the perfect dessert for a party, if you're going to indulge at all, it's best to indulge well. For candies or cakes, tortes or toffee, Milwaukee has an ample selection of candy shops and bakeries where shopping is worth the post-sweet guilt.

With award-winning cheesecakes and delicious fruit tortes, Simma's Ovens (817 N. 68th St.) is a heavenly spot in Wauwatosa to order lovely decorated pastries, cookies, fruits and wedding cakes made from scratch with natural ingredients. (414) 257-0998

An Italian bakery on the East Side, the long standing Peter Sciortino's Bakery (1101 E. Brady St.) has patrons raving about their excellent desserts, breads and cannoli. (414) 272-4623. Two Bay View bakeries also offer delicious Italian treats: Canfora (1100 E. Oklahoma Ave.) and Roma (3600 S. Chase Ave.).

The only Greek pastry shop in the city, Ya Ya's Cookies (4320 N. Oakland Ave.) endearingly conceives homemade delights like Baklava and the homemade dunking cookie, calldui, as well Mediterranean gourmet goodies such as mustards. Although most items are made to order for catering, the store always has an ample selection of items to satisfy your sweet tooth. (414) 332-5203.

A bakery and coffee shop on the East Side, Hartter's Bakery (2101 N. Prospect Ave.) is a popular spot to fulfill a morning sugar fix. With a nice array of cakes, brownies, sticky buns and pastries, this eatery's appeal is its use of marzipan to touch up the already tasty creations. (414) 225-0090

Heinrich's Home Bakery (9124 W North Ave.), a little shop in Wauwatosa, is a family-run bakery with coffeecakes, donuts and cookies. (414) 476-9546.

Lopez Bakery (1601 W. Lincoln Ave. and 1100 W. Mitchell St.) has an astonishing array of treats, late hours and low prices. Sabrosuras (1711 W. Mitchell St.) also offers Mexican, Puerto Rican and American bakery items.

Bella Bakery (960 W. Oklahoma Ave.) is THE place for Polish bakery, breads and rolls. Get there early to get a babka without having to fight off any Seinfeld characters.

In Elm Grove, The Chocolate Swan, Ltd. (13320 Watertown Plank Rd.) is a quaint little confectionery where candies are made with extra care. Sweets are all-natural and entirely hand-made. There's a lot to choose from as well — English toffees, tortes and 11 different types of truffles. (262) 784-7926.