Last I checked — which, to be honest, was never — the U.S. Census Bureau had not yet taken the bold, but also necessary step, of ranking cities and towns by per-capita delicious bakery options. However, when they do, Mystic, Conn., will no doubt be somewhere at the top of said list.

When it comes to cookies, pastries, cupcakes, breads, scones, and brownies, the good people of Mystic certainly have no shortage of options. 

It was with the goal of sampling some of these superlative bake goods in mind that I set out this past weekend. The results of my gastronomic adventure follow ...

Li's Bake Shop

15 Holmes St.

(860) 536-9090; there is also a Facebook page

Li's is small and cozy spot that offers a wide array of sweets and a shabby-chic vibe. You will likely walk into Li's with a mid-February sense of longing as you pass over the slate pathway and by the wrought-iron outdoor seating (an area that's accented with flowers in the warmer months).

But the impressive selection of sweets, coffees, teas, and espresso drinks will also probably lighten your mood. The possibilities range from devil dogs ($3.25) to strawberry supreme cupcakes ($3.95) to pumpkin whoopie pies ($2.50) to lemon blueberry crumb bars ($3.75) to a wide selection of cookies: oatmeal raisin ($2), oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip ($2), peanut butter ($2), and "Mystic" cookies ($2.25).

I went with a diverse mix: a strawberry supreme cupcake, devil dog, butterscotch thinnies ($.95 or three for $2.50), and Mystic cookies.

The strawberry supreme was notable for its thick and rich frosting. The cake was light, airy, and not overly sweet, allowing the topping to shine through as the main attraction. The devil dog, which most people are likely to recognize as a classic whoopie pie, was a combination of creamy and surprisingly dense marshmallow-based filling sandwiched between two soft, stick-to-your-fingers chocolaty, circular cakes, reminiscent of an ice cream sandwich.

Butterscotch thinnies are thin, but still chewy, cookies with bits of butterscotch sporadically dispersed throughout the dough. It's a delightful mix of the sugary, the salty and the nutty. As for the Mystic cookies: these were probably the most well-conceived and delicious of the treats I tasted. Consisting of Kahlua, Frangelico, walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, and chocolate chips, this cookie is moist as well as satisfyingly varied in texture and flavor.

Sift

5 Water St.

(860) 245-0541

siftbakeshopmystic.com 

I can't think of any better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than "sifting" through the options at this place. (Zing!) With a stellar set of baguettes, sandwiches, quiches, high-end desserts, cookies and caffeinated drinks, there's something at Sift for any craving.

The atmosphere is sleek, bright, and little on the upscale side (though prices don't necessarily reflect that). Indeed, perusing the options makes one think of shopping at a boutique jeweler, just with diamonds and pendant bracelets replaced by rose water macarons ($1.95 each), lemon tarts ($4.95), and chocolate raspberry tortes ($4.95).

My sweet tooth satiated by a trip to Li's only a few hours earlier, I started off with some savory options: the prosciutto arugula sandwich ($9.50), the roasted turkey ($9.95), and a vegetable croissant ($3.25).

The prosciutto arugula and roasted turkey vied closely for my top prize, but I think the prosciutto came out ahead. The meat was salty, in a good sense, and moist, unlike some tougher prosciuttos you come across. It came served on a chewy baguette, with goat cheese and a piquant balsamic reduction.

The roasted turkey was served on a buttery, though by no means greasy, house-made croissant, with brie cheese, spinach, and a tasty cranberry aioli. The vegetable croissant had surprising complexity and depth of flavor: spinach, roasted tomato, shallots, garlic, Parmesan, Swiss and feta cheeses all rolled into a croissant with sesame seeds sprinkled atop.

Not clear to me upon entering was that sandwiches also come with a free cookie. I went with a rose water macaron that had a soft, chewy exterior and a buttery filling, as well as the chocolate, walnut, sea salt cookie, which was soft — you could even say creamy at the center — and had a nice balance of salty-sweet.

Throw in the array of coffees, teas, espresso drinks, and seasonal beverages (Mexican hot chocolate, $3.85/$4.65; butter rum latte, $3.75/$4.55; and rosemary ginger latte, $3.75/$4.55, to name a few), and Sift is a difficult option to beat any time of day.

Bleu Squid

27 Coogan Blvd.

(860) 536-6342

dessertsmysticct.com

To quote the late, great Raymond Carver: 

The years go by and everything and everyone gets replaced.

But this much is still true — Bleu Squid is an excellent option for baked goods and grilled cheese sandwiches.

... maybe not the exact quote.

Located in the Olde Mistick Village shopping area, Bleu Squid has a couple specialties, namely desserts (employees there are quite proud of their cupcakes), classic buttered grilled cheese sandwiches, and a small cheese shop.

The sandwiches at Bleu Squid are for serious cheese lovers, a distinguished bunch I count myself amongst. Offerings include a cheddar chicken with sautéed apple ($7.25), an "Arti" with roasted artichokes, pesto, tomato, and fresh mozzarella ($7.25), and "The Bleu," a mix of cherry wood smoked bacon, caramelized onion, tomatoes and bleu cheese ($7.25). 

My grilled cheese motto is "go big or go home," and so I decided to try the lobster offering ($11.25). Again, these sandwiches are for true cheese people, and I would describe the lobster iteration as very gooey. The rich and tasty four cheese blend was mixed with shreds of lobster meat and served on thick white bread that was expertly buttered and grilled.

On the dessert side, I had a mountain of choice but went with what I was told are among the most popular options. The salted caramel cupcake ($3.25) had a smooth, almost nutty dressing of caramel over thick frosting and tantalizing bits of salt. "The Bleu Squid" ($3.50), marketed as the signature cupcake, was an indulgent combination of buttermilk cake, whipped chocolate ganache filling, purple vanilla buttercream frosting, and a decorative starfish made of white frosting.

Other noteworthy treats included a satisfying white chocolate brownie ($2.75), seven layer bar ($2.75), macaroons ($2.50), and an array of cookie choices (I tried oatmeal raisin, and M&M; $2 each).

So, while squeezing all three of these places into a single weekend, as I did, might not be the doctor-recommended route to go, I'd say any one enjoyed in proportion is definitely worth your while.