Sugar for All

And why, pray tell, should the short, non-voting demographic get all the candy? Now that the children have collected their treats, it’s time for adults to take to the road on their own quest for sweets—in Indiana.

• Start in Kokomo for cake, which is, but of course, one of those power comfort foods that can assuage even a chronic headache borne of election fatigue. Try J. Edwards Fine Chocolates, Cakes and Gifts (2106 W. Sycamore St., Kokomo, 765-626-0142, jedwardschocolates.blogspot.com) for 60 variations on cake and cupcakes. Nothing is frozen, everything is fresh.

• Go south for about 30 miles to Hamilton County, and stop at Lisa’s Pie Shop (5995 S. U.S. Highway 31, Atlanta, 317-758-6944, lisaspies.com), where the eponymous owner started the business 18 years ago out of her own kitchen. In addition to traditional (apple, cherry, blueberry) and specialty (frozen punch, chocolate caramel cheese pecan) pies, Lisa’s Pie Shop also sells “pie in a jar,” which is ready-to-eat pie in a, well, jar.

• Meanwhile, over in the aptly named Carmel, Indiana (also in Hamilton County), the local sweet spot is Holy Cow Cupcakes (61 W. City Center Dr., 317-571-1500, holycowcupcakes.com). There, in addition to cupcakes made with organic, local ingredients, you’ll find Gelato Da Vinci (gelatodavinci.com), a locally made gelato which has won awards for flavors such as dragonfly (vanilla bean, coconut, and pineapple gelato with roasted peanuts in cayenne pepper and caramel sauce) and chocolate martini (which is laced with alcohol). In nearby Cicero, you can build-your-own cupcake at SugarBean Cupcakes (129 S. Peru St., 317-379-7003) and fill up on caffeine at the coffee bar.

Where to stay: The Old Towne Carmel Bed and Breakfast (521 First Ave. N.W., Carmel, 317-566-9696, carmelbandb.com) offers three charming guest rooms; rates range from $125 to $169 a night. The Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel (11925 N. Meridian St., Carmel, 317-816-0777) is a Marriott property convenient to both downtown Carmel and Indianapolis; rates range from $134 to $249 a night.

Where to eat: Dooley O’Toole’s (160 E. Carmel Dr., Carmel, 317-843-9900) has no website but does have a reputation for excellent steaks and from-scratch soups in a casual pub-style restaurant. The Barley Island Brewing Company (639 Conner St., Noblesville, 317-770-5280, barleyisland.com) offers microbrews and BBQ.

Photograph: Courtesy of the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau