The Great American Dessert Bonanza
[ 16 June 2009 ]
This was written by my friend Jess of Sugadeaux. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Jess is a true connoisseur of all things sweet & sugary, & her recent travels around the USA have been a never-ending test of her taste buds. We thought it was time for her to share her discoveries with the world. Here they are.
Having spent the last 2 months in the United States (including a guest baking stint in Austin), I now consider myself somewhat of a dessert aficionado. Often, tourists tend to be better experts than locals – it’s not exactly sustainable to visit a different bakery every day in the city where you actually live!
I started on the West Coast and ate my way to the East and back again. I sat at tables with friends, a pile of cupcakes before us, critiquing the flavour, texture, moisture, adjudicating with all the seriousness of a professional wine critic.
Chatting to Gala about my sweet, gooey discoveries, it occurred to us both that it would be cruel to withhold this information from her nonpareils. So I put in the eating time, and now present to you my top 5 sweet experiences from across America (in no particular order):
Cherry Pie Bars at Sugar Mamas Bakeshop in Austin
Wow. Just when I thought I couldn’t cram any more sugary sweets into my friends’ mouths in Austin, my house-mate became addicted to these bars. It didn’t matter how much or what he had eaten prior –- he would not agree to pick me up from the bakery unless I could guarantee him at least two bars. The bars feature a gorgeous sweet crust base, glistening bright red cherries that easily qualify as food porn, criss-crosses of white glaze and crumbled streusel as a topping. They’re a super fun take on an old school pie, and obscenely good. And only $2.25 each. Ridiculous.
Red Velvet cupcakes at Buttercake Bakery in Los Angeles
I’m not kidding –- I ate more red velvet this trip than you will possibly believe. And I cannot believe how many places screw it up. Usually it’s either just red vanilla cake, or the texture is wrong. And please East Coast bakeries, red velvet cake is SUPPOSED to have cream cheese frosting. Don’t try to reinvent a classic. I was thrilled when I bit into the red velvet cupcakes at Buttercake. Creamy frosting, dense moist cake and it actually tasted like red velvet! For the uninitiated, red velvet should have a hint of buttermilk/vinegar to cut sweetness and a light cocoa flavour. If it tastes like nothing, it’s not real red velvet!
Ben & Jerry’s Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream ice cream in New York
Firstly, I’m sorry NYC. I tried a bunch of cupcakes. Some I didn’t like, most were fine. But none shook my world enough to make the list. However, in the Wholefoods I did pick up a pint of the aforementioned B&J ice cream, and couldn’t stop asking others if they had tried it. Classic vanilla ice cream swirled with caramel and dotted with chocolate covered waffle cone pieces. Plus you get Stephen Colbert on the packaging. Pundit-sexy. The bonus of this entry is that hopefully most of you will have the chance to try this one for yourselves.
Crème Brûlée at Jacques-Imos in New Orleans
Most people go to Jacques-Imos for the shrimp and alligator cheesecake (not a dessert!). And lord knows, I certainly ate my fair share of regular food here (I do recommend you check out their website and freak the hell out on their unusual creole/Cajun menu choices). Serendipitously, though I was beyond stuffed, the kitchen sent our table out a complimentary ramekin of awesomeness, including the best brûlée I have ever tasted. The bottom of the plate was practically black with vanilla bean flecks. The custard was silky, the sugary crust cracked perfectly under my spoon. Get there at 5.30pm to guarantee a seat, and do not eat anything the night before unless you want to be rolled out.
Salted Caramel Macarons at Paulette in Los Angeles
Okay, I’ve had macarons. I’ve made macarons. They’re really cute, but sometimes I feel a little “take it or leave it” about the actual flavour. Paulette’s macarons made me see the light. Rich, semi-chewy macarons which bite perfectly and don’t crumble in your hands. The caramel is luscious, thick and gooey, dangerously dark with a hint of salt to excite the palate. They also have flavours such as green tea, rose water, passionfruit and well I could go on. You can pretty much never bother to try a macaron unless you’re offered one from here (or Paris).
Bon appetit!
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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Oh my goodness. I’ll take two of each IMMEDIATELY.
Haha nice, in New Orleans and I don’t think I’ve even heard of that place!
Now I know where I’ve gotta go.
Oh wait! I actually HAVE seen that place. I’ve passed by it many, many nights, thinking it was a bar. LOL
Well now I know!
Holly, Jacque-Imos is off of Carrollton, on Maple, I believe (nearer to the river than the schools).
but what about sugar sweet sunshine?! ;)
Sounds like Jess and I would get along famously! I’m a bit of a cupcake connoisseur myself and I’m always on the lookout for new yumminess.
The best treats i’ve ever eaten in this life were chocolate cupcakes with vanilla bean French buttercream at Butterlane and ginger molasses vegan ice cream at Lulu’s Sweet Apothecary (I had no idea it was vegan! Amazing!), both in NYC.
Also the creme brulee and bananas foster at The Court of Two Sisters in New Orleans. I’ll have to visit Jacques-Imos next time I’m there. I love Cajun food!
Yeah I’m surprised she didn’t like Sugar Sweet Sunshine!! Oh well haha. This is a great list, and that header photo looks delicious. (I did a quick Google search cause I thought macaron was spelled wrong, but I didn’t realize macarons and macaroons were two different things! I have so much to learn haha.)
really sad you didn’t manage to hit the bay area! we have so much here in the way of sweets. great list though. :]
If you’re ever in DC, check out Georgetown Cupcakes. SOOO good!
Yum! Desserts! (Personally, homemade desserts are the best.)
Delicious!
Looks like everyone else is sad you missed their hometowns…me too! In Columbus, we have Jeni’s Ice Creams, which was recently featured in Real Simple Magazine. Jeni’s always uses fresh ingredients, and with flavors ranging from the tame (Salty Caramel) to the outrageous (Olive Oil with Sea Salt Pepitas) there is always something interesting and delicious to try.
Check them out at www.jenisicecreams.com. I’d go get a pint with you! :)
I love love Americone dream ice cream. It’s in my freezer right now. No LIE.
One word.
YUM. :-D
I. Want. A. Macaron.
I just read the description out to my housemate and we are in complete accord. Hungry now!
Awesome list, now I know where to go when I’m in the USA!
xx
its 3:14 in the am and i should be asleep
but OMG! you made me crave sugar!
and lets not even ask for pictures, coz i think i don wanna bite into my computer!
ahaha.
I’m going to LA in a few weeks – can’t wait to try these out!
Where’s the Midwest love?
Chicago & Minneapolis have some quite tasty sweets.
Little Miss S — She didn’t go to either of those places :>
I have to agree that Americone Dream from Ben and Jerry’s is one of my favorites of their newer flavors. Any Ben and Jerry’s flavor is a delectable treat for the taste buds. I may be biased, seeing as I live in the birthplace of Ben and Jerry’s. If you get a chance I suggest Imagine Whirled Peace and Oatmeal Cookie Chunk. Those are my fav’s.
this is by far one of my fav posts ever! yum! :)
Jess needs to come to Albany, NY! Though usually no one would visit Albany, it would simply be to come to the Romanian Cake shop that I work at. The owner, Claudia, is a true artists and everything she makes is astounding. The bakery is the first one to premier in America, the other three are very famous in Romania and owned by Claudia’s parents.
Some pictures:
www.flickr.com/photos/28011251
Hummm, macarooooons! Love it! Unfortenately here in Portugal I only know two places were I can buy these French deliciousness.
agreed on the cupcake in NYC thing! what’s UP with that, NYC? why are most of your cupcakes so subpar?? a friend that was staying with us here in the city bought us a few of the magnolia cupcakes, and they were just “eh”. i totally could not fathom why they are as popular as they are (satc, i guess?). they were pretty flavorless and the icing was too sugary. i miss san francisco, they had some mighty fine cupcakes and sweets there. my faves? cupcakes (any flavor) at the noe valley bakery, and the gingerbread cakes (or cupcakes) at miette. yum. :)
tricia — I love Sugar Sweet Sunshine & I think Butter Lane is not bad either. Magnolia is totally over-hyped & disappointing; I make better cupcakes than them.
wow, it’s past midnight & i am craving something sweet now. if that won’t go straight onto my hips, i don’t know. ;) also, awesome guestpost! will there be more? you know gala, your take on where to buy the best cupcakes & macarons would be really interesting, too. or do you just make them yourself all the time? i have tried it on more than one occasion & my friends were appalled by their sugary sugarness. :) but i love myself some sugar craze!
Oh god. I made Rosewater Macarons for my 21st birthday party….It was the most amazing flavour; I almost cried.
I’m going to LA in 13 days (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) so I am TOTALLY going to hit up those places more or less the minute I step off the plane.
Eeeee! Sugar comas ahoy!
Atlanta has an incredible and famous dessert shop, I forget what it’s called…
The cappuccino cupcakes from Sweet in Boston are divine! I’m guessing your Sugardeaux Jess didn’t make it here. I have become a connoisseur of Boston bakeries, and trust me, I’ve put in the work.
Also, I agree about Magnolia. I waited in line for over an hour with a friend who was amped about them. I also make better cupcakes.
Sprinkles in California is pretty damn good as well :)
OH crap! Totally forgot to mention Strawberry Cupcakes by Teenycake in San Fran. She only uses local seasonal ingredients from farmers markets.
I did get to sweet in Boston Darcy. They were nice, though i had the red velvet and vanilla. Trust me, i guarantee you I ate a buttload of cupcakes around the country, this list is solid….
Little Miss S – having previously spent time in Chi-town, i love the deep fried twinkies i had in the wicker park area, and also the cheese/caramel popcorn. MMMMMMMMM
yum yum yum, another reason i can’t wait to get to the US!! i hope you can do a european edition as well :)
If you’re in NYC on a Saturday, you MUST pick up some mini ninecakes cupcakes at the Brooklyn Indie Market. They are heaven in your mouth.
www.ninecakes.com/menu.html
Lemon Lavender is to die for :-*
Ooooh this made me so hungry!! Sounds like that would be a fun way to tour the country ;)
There’s a place on campus that has the most amazing vegan lemon cupcakes. But otherwise, I prefer desserts I make myself (the ones that turn out right, anyway, like chocolate cupcakes, ginger lime cookies, and blueberry coffee cake).
Great reviews, Jess. Now that you’re home, how about some reviews of Australia’s cafés and sweet eateries? :)
I LOVE THIS POST! Inspires me to travel AND eat desert.
Ooh, how DELICIOUS! This was brilliant; I want to try them ALL!
Hehe I second Nicola’s request. I’m always on the hunt for more delicious sugary things closer to home that I can wallow in…This post made me so hungry!
Nicola & Lauren – well of COURSE im gunna recommend myself in Australia… ;)
I love Red Velvet, and I can’t speak for Texas, but really, it’s impossible to find good red velvet north of the Mason Dixon line.
Next time you’re in Toronto, hit up Future on Bloor St. Best cakes in the city! :]
Ok, next time you’re in Los Angeles, head on over to Eagle Rock and pick up a Red Velvet from Auntie Em’s, and then get a cup of joe at Swork. They are both on Eagle Rock Boulevard, and both worth your timeee
I think you should combine number 2 and 3 on that list and stop by a Maggiemoo’s ice cream store (they have them all over the country) and try Red Velvet Ice Cream.
I work at a Maggiemoo and the look on a customers face when they try it is the best feeling in the world.
Come to Denver! Or Boulder! Or anywhere in Colorado I guess… We have some pretty cute bakeries, and some pretty good beer. Haha, nothing better!