Desserts in Austria

Before we came to Austria, everyone who had been here just raved about the pastries and cakes and bread and chocolates. We knew the chocolate was generally better, though we did manage to find some cheap waxy stuff once. The basic chocolates and store-bought cookies are generally a notch above what you find in the States. It probably helps that the main flavor is hazelnut.
Most chocolates are good. However, we haven't found very many chocolate candies that have absolutely amazing flavor, except for a handmade chocolate from Fürst bakery in Salzburg. It is made with a marzipan center surrounded by a layer of milk chocolate; then the ball is dipped in dark chocolate. This is the only chocolate that Kirk and I have felt the need to put our initials on them so one person doesn't get more than the other.

We've mostly been disappointed by cakes and pastries here. Our experience has not been from a lack of effort in the tasting department, though. We have to be careful when we buy anything. I read all the ingredients or ask the women at the counter which cakes are "without alcohol." They then point out the few that are suitable.
First, we would say that if you think Costco cakes are good, "cake pops" are a treat, and most of the desserts you make come from a box mix, then the cakes and pastries would be very distinctive, fun, and good to eat. However, I guess we have a higher standard and would say that the desserts we make at home, including the ones we eat with extended family (think of a birthday cake made by Mindy), rival and mostly surpass any we've bought here.
We bought a cake at the best bakery in Salzburg. It was interesting, but not wonderful.

We bought slices of cake at one of the two most famous bakeries in Vienna (the other was too crowded and the cake I wanted to try had alcohol in it). This cake was the best we've had, but then again, it wasn't amazing. You would think that for about $5 each slice, it would be better.

It is gratifying when my children and husband say, "your cake is better" or "you make better cake than this."
The bread is nice and better than what you can generally buy or find in the States. There are some interesting wheat breads that have sunflower seeds in them. It is hard to find just a plain whole wheat bread. They have white breads (in various shapes) and then fancy wheat/rye/nut/other grain breads that are more dense and substantial. The children, after a few tries, have almost completely refused to touch the wheat breads here.