By Callie Sumlin
Special to The Gazette

Visiting a good bakery is one of life’s simple pleasures.

There is the intoxicating smell of yeast, butter and sugar. There are the many displays of sweet, savory carbs. And there is the impending thrill of cracking open a box of goodies and sharing them with friends and family (or not).

While baking at altitude is notoriously difficult, Denver’s new crop of talented pastry prodigies has taken the city’s treat game to mile-high heights, nabbing national accolades and attracting dedicated legions of sugar-seekers happy to line up and wait for their wares. Here’s a guide to the most pilgrimage-worthy bakeries for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Bakery Four

You’ll know you’ve found Bakery Four when you a see a long line of eager folks lined up on Tennyson Street. Rest assured: the rotating lineup of naturally leavened breads, pastries and sandwiches is well worth the wait. Check Bakery Four’s Instagram story to peep the next day’s bakes — and if they’re on offer, don’t miss the brioche au sucre, chewy chocolate chunk cookies and moist coffee cake. 4150 Tennyson St., Denver; bakeryfour.com

Banh & Butter Bakery Cafe

Inspired by Thoa Nguyen’s upbringing as the daughter of the owners of Denver’s legendary New Saigon Restaurant and her pastry immersion in France, Banh & Butter turns out plush layer cakes, luxe cream puffs and buttery croissants in an array of Asian-inspired flavors. The Breton tarts, built on shortbread-style crusts, are always worth ordering, no matter which seasonal fruit tops them. 9935 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora; banhandbutter.com

Black Box Bakery

Black Box’s laminated pastries aren’t just some of the prettiest in Colorado; they’re also some of the most delicious. From classic croissants to unique, cube-shaped croissants filled with flavors such as blackberry yuzu and peach cobbler, it’s no surprise that this bakery inside Edgewater Public Market has a dedicated following. 5505 W. 20th Ave., Edgewater; blackboxbakery.com

GetRight’s

Part plant shop and part artisanal bakery, the 3-year-old business turns out consistently high-quality goods. The maritozzi, a pillowy sweet brioche bun split and filled with a rich vanilla custard cream, is worth a visit alone, as is the perfectly caramelized Basque cheesecake. 6985 W. 38th Ave. Ste. 101, Wheat Ridge; goodygetright.com

Moon Raccoon Baking Co.

Stumbling upon this tucked-away Sunnyside neighborhood bakery is like finding a literal honey hole. Moon Raccoon’s commitment to local sourcing sets it apart, and whole-grain flours from local millers such as Dry Storage give these pastries an uncommon depth of flavor. Offerings change daily, but the banana espresso dark chocolate pain suisse and the hazelnutty pumpkin praline coffee cake are both excellent bets. 2839 W. 44th Ave,. Ste. 103, Denver; moonraccoonbakingcompany.com

Poulette Bakeshop

Recognized by the James Beard Foundation as one of the best bakeries in the country, this shop is worthy of a pilgrimage. Arrive early and brave the swift-moving line to find cases gleaming with an ever-changing, always-wonderful lineup of laminated breakfast pastries (try the stuffed croissants), savory pastries (such as a Hatch & Cheddar Scone) and decadent, beautifully made treats. 19585 Hess Road, Ste. 107, Parker; poulettebakeshop.com

Reunion Bread Co.

Venezuelan baker Ismael De Sousa’s artisan shop inside The Source Hotel combines classic French and Portuguese technique with modern flair. His wares have earned him a nomination from the James Beard Foundation for Outstanding Baker. It’s easy to see why once you bite into the perfect pastéis de nata (Portuguese egg tarts) and signature Venezuelan sticky buns, a sweet-savory delight made with salty cotija cheese. 3350 Brighton Blvd., Ste. 140, Denver; reunionbread.square.site

Elemental Bakery & Coffeehouse

The artisanal coffee shop and specialty bakery is delivering some of the best breads and pastries in the Mile High City. To wit: Elemental’s classic croissants recently won the people’s choice award at Denver’s third annual laminated dough competition. Elemental also bakes uncommonly moist, delicious muffins, including a flavorful, tender-crumbed date muffin. 3875 Steele St., Ste. 1143; elementalbakeryandcoffee.com