Featured writer: A. Winters

The Space Coast is a unique place with a Santa Cruz, CA meets St. Petersburg, FL vibe. Everyone is tan with a mellow laid-back  attitude. The homes and shops are brightly-colored and almost everywhere you look there are surf shops. The breezy evenings are wonderful for stereotypical strolls on the beach with breathtaking sunsets. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing getaway, or if you’re a nerd like me, take a pilgrimage to the Kennedy Space Center. I had a jam packed day of checking out the rocket garden, space shuttle simulator, possibly meeting an astronaut, and of course, finding a  new dessert hot spot.

Simply Delicious on N Orlando Ave is about a twenty minute drive to the Kennedy Space Center. This cute bakery and cafe certainly looked promising from the outside (even though it boasts a cliché name), residing in a bright yellow house with a rainbow-colored picket fence. The interior was just as funky with neon walls and surf boards strewn about.

There were two display cases in front, overflowing with scrumptious homemade muffins, cookies, cakes, and French pastries. My knees were already ready to buckle! But before I could order dessert, I had to first eat my breakfast. I had to charge up before entering my nerd paradise.

I was seated in a cozy corner overlooking the outside tropical garden path. As I waited for the waitress, I loved discovering unique nuances about Simply Delicious, like the mix-matched bottles on the window sill and the blue brick fireplace. The menu was very appetizing with make your own stuffed French toast and omelet’s. Score!  I ordered the crispy Malted Waffle with fresh strawberries, which did not disappoint! Even though the place was slammed (with mostly locals-always a good sign), the waitress was friendly and attentive.  Although it was breakfast time (and well before 10 am), the Rocky Road Fudge Brownie I had seen on the way in was calling my name.

This fudge looked delectable! There were four distinct layers, appearing to be a chocolate fudge “icing”, a layer of brownie, a layer of cream cheese with nuts, and then another layer of chocolate brownie. Can you say, Wow! The first bite was mouth-watering and moist. This fudge was also just the right amount of firmness. The other good news? It possessed the “burn-free factor“. Although the taste was phenomenal and the recipe very unique, it became a little too sweet for me after just a few bites. The sweetness primarily came from the top fudge “icing”. However, from beginning to end this dessert was still truly exceptional, which was enjoyed in a funky laid-back atmosphere in downtown Cocoa Beach.

If you’ve got a major sweet tooth (and I mean sweet), I highly recommend the Rocky Road Fudge Brownie. It is well, simply delicious, and the perfect treat to eat before meeting an astronaut.

Me with astronaut Jim Reilly (notice my nerdy Saturn shirt)

*Read more about my Sweet Tooth Travels here.