January 25, 2016

The Best Desserts in NYC

Best Desserts in NYC
One thing about me, I love desserts, baked goods and most things sweet. Being in the thick of winter, is there anything better than a cup of piping hot chocolate on a 18 degree winter day? Maybe a bowl of Ramen if you’re in a savory mood, but otherwise, no.New York is filled with so many incredible spots, but trust me when I tell you, I’ve done all of the legwork and narrowed it down to a few of my all-time favorite places.

Levain Bakery

Where: 167 W 74th St. New York, NY 10023

Best cookies ever. This place is home to not only my favorite cookie in New York, but maybe my favorite cookie in the world. Very bold statement, I know. Crispy on the outside, soft, warm and gooey on the inside and pretty much the size of your fist. My two favorites are the chocolate chip walnut and dark chocolate peanut butter. I should probably warn, there’s always a line out the door, so be prepared to wait a bit, but trust me, it’s well worth it.

Best Desserts in NYC

Two Little Red Hens

Where: 1652 Second Avenue @86th street.

All the way on the Upper East Side, but worth the trek, especially when you’re like me and coming from Brooklyn. This place is famous for a few things, but my personal favorites: the cupcakes (chocolate peanut butter being my pick), blueberry cheesecake and if you’re a rich chocolate lover, the Brooklyn Blackout cake is to die for. Honestly though, you can’t go wrong with anything you order. Another place with a line out the door, but it moves quickly, so don’t get too discouraged. From the three items I mentioned, the cupcakes, cheesecake and blackout cake, I know many who claim that they’re the best in the city, but I’ll let you guys decide for yourselves. All I have to say, I’m happy it’s on the UES, otherwise, I’d be in serious trouble and a few sizes larger.

Tip: I love making a day out of going to this bakery and then heading to the Met (or vice versa!)

Best Desserts in NYC

Jacques Torres

Where: Various locations throughout the city.

As I mentioned above, on a really cold day, there’s nothing I crave more than the Jacques Torres Wicked Spicy Hot Chocolate, flavored with ground ancho and chipotle chilie peppers. If that doesn’t sound like your thing, their classic hot chocolate is equally decadent and delicious. While some say that City Bakery has the best hot chocolate in the city, personally, I prefer Jacques Torres. If you happen to be in the mood for a little chocolate on chocolate action, the chocolate chip cookies are out of this world.

Tip: The Dumbo location is my favorite!

Best Desserts in NYC

Breads Bakery

Where: 18 East 16th Street in Union Square

Three words: chocolate nutella babka. Oh, man. I’ve had plenty of really great babkas, but the nutella in  this one, is what takes it to the next level. Aside from the babka, other musts: the almond croissant, the chocolate rugelach and for something a bit more savory, the spinach & feta eureka.

Best Desserts in NYC

Dough Doughnuts

Where: 448 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn & 14 West 19th @ 5th Avenue, Manhattan

Soft, fluffy, doughy with the most mouth-watering glazes. A friend of mine, who normally claims that donuts are not really her thing (what the hell?) says that Dough is the only exception. My favorites include the Hibiscus, the Dulce de Leche and the Cafe au Lait.

Tip: if cake-like donuts are more up your alley (versus a doughy one), I highly recommend Doughnut Plant. 

Best Desserts in NYC

Mazzola Bakery

Where: 192 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY.

I debated whether to put Mazzola Bakery, an old school Brooklyn institution, on this list because the thing they’re most famous for is not a dessert, but their lard bread, but more on that in a minute. Quite honestly, everything at Mazzola’s is out of this world. Their rainbow cookies, croissants and coffee, easily some of the best in New York. You really can’t go wrong with anything here, but lets get back to the lard bread. The name might sound scary to some, but there are no words to describe this goodness. Come here, get some coffee, get a pastry or some rainbow cookies and then take a loaf to go. I promise, you’ll thank me later.

Tip: Cash only & you’ll have to take your treats to go. No place to sit or stand.

Best Desserts in NYC

Momofuku Milk Bar

Where: Various locations throughout the city

Even with all the hype, Milk Bar continues to be a favorite. This is my husbands #1 favorite dessert place and considering there are several locations, including a few in Brooklyn, we frequent it more often than I care to admit. I’ve tried most things on the menu and my favorites include: the crack pie, the birthday cake truffles and the cereal milk soft serve. However, our ultimate favorite is the birthday cake milkshake, which unfortunately, is only sold at certain locations, depending on the week! If you happen to be in Brooklyn, the Carroll Gardens location always seems to have it.

So there you have some of my favorites! Have you guys been to any of these? Have you been to other places that knocked your socks off? If so, do tell!

Other posts that may interest you: 
Where to Eat: {Manhattan Edition}
Where to Eat: {Brooklyn Edition}
Where to Drink
Best Pizza in NYC Part I
Best Pizza in NYC Part II
Three Spots I’m currently into

Follow along on instagram with #BKBlondeEatsNY.

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30 comments

  • Poshnessary com

    Great post and tips – will definitely try them. I also really like May Brenner and their chocolate Fondue or Spot Dessert Bar.

    Kisses from http://www.poshnessary.com

  • Adriana

    Everything looks so delicious!
    xx

    Zara Giveaway – http://www.theblackblush.blogspot.com

  • heather epstein

    YES to Levain and Dough Doughnuts! I'm surprised Farmacy isn't on this list. Farmacy is def. one of my favorite desert places ever.

    <3
    heather
    fashionistanygirl.com

  • Lynn

    We usually have a loaf of the Chocolate Nutella Babka from Breads in the fridge at all times! 😉 If you haven't tried it, Dominique Ansel Kitchen (not the bakery with the cronuts in SoHo, but the one in the West Village) is a fun experience. And it really is an experience! Get one of their made-to-order desserts, you won't regret it.

    madhattersnyc.com — A Journey to the Core of the Big Apple

  • Caitlin

    I'm so happy you have Levain and Dough on this list! I lived right down the street from Dough when it first opened and frequented their sister restaurants Choice Market and Choice Green. That family of restaurants really has something right. 🙂

  • Carolyn

    totally bookmarking for the next time I'm in NY!

    http://heyprettything.com

  • Ciara Rose

    Oh wow all of this looks so good! xx

    Ciara Rose | http://www.ciara-rose.com

  • Sasa Zoe

    Delicious<3

    Shall We Sasa

  • sanssouci •

    This looks amazing! Beautiful post, made my day!
    http://www.sanssouci.website

  • Catherine Day

    I've been to Two Little Red Hens and agree that the chocolate peanut butter cupcake is absolutely to die for! I've got an upcoming trip to NYC, so I'm definitely bookmarking because I'm always craving sweet things 🙂

    Love that you put these best food posts together!
    xx Catherine

  • Vera

    Dough donuts is definitely my favorite!!

    Blonde in Cashmere

  • Kathleen Harper

    THANK YOU for posting this! I can't wait to try!
    <3
    katsfashionfix.blogspot.com

  • The Untourists

    Yummy desserts! How about a list of desserts with least calories 😛

  • Shirley Doremi

    A very useful post. Will keep it for my trip to NYC for sure! I am a huge fan of sweet things too!

  • Elizabeth T.

    Oh my gosh, your post just makes me so incredibly hungry, and it's already almost midnight! 😀 Haha I can't wait to go back to New York this summer/fall <3 It's one of my favorite cities, and I can't wait to try each and every single one of these! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful little guide!

    XO, Elizabeth
    http://clothestoyouuu.com/

  • Nissi Mendes

    OMG!!! Looks soooo yummie!

    ♥ Nissi
    http://www.nissimendes.ch
    Instagram // Bloglovin

  • Esraa Bassiouny

    Just looking at the pictures make my mouth waters, yummuy
    http://dressmecasual.blogspot.com.eg/

  • Nataly G

    Oh my word these look so incredible! When I'm in New York someday, I'll definitely have to pop in to some of those.

    http://NatalyG.co.uk

  • Katie

    All of these desserts look so amazing!

    Katie

    http://www.lamiabellavita.com

  • Laura Mitbrodt

    Oh man these all look so good
    xo
    http://www.laurajaneatelier.com

  • Lindsay

    This list is spot on. Levain Bakery cookies are the absolute best! Whenever I visit NYC, I always make a point to stop there and get a cookie…or two. The Corn Muffin Cookie at Milk Bar is also a favorite and definitely worth trying 🙂

  • Jalisa G

    Okay, the next time I'm in Brooklyn, I MUST visit Dough Donuts, they look ahhhmazing! I love Jacques Torres, the chocolate is just beyond delicious! Thanks so much for sharing, beautiful, and I hope you're having a great day so far 🙂

    XO,

    Jalisa
    http://www.thestylecontour.com

  • alyssa amato

    Oh my gosh, yum! All of these places are delicious! My favorite is Levain Bakery-their cookies are to die for and well worth the wait. Thanks for sharing, I'll have to try these other places soon. xx

    http://www.fashionsensored.com

  • Jack

    Thank you for the great post. You made my day.

  • THEDASHINGRIDER

    Oh yummy – i loved to go to Momofuku last month <3 Great ideas!
    xx Fiona THEDASHINGRIDER.com

  • ayme nicole

    Definitely bookmarking this haha, although I live in NY, I've only been to half of these. One of my patients brought in chocolate babka from Breads Bakery and I remember eating it and going OMG I MUST HAVE MORE and found out it was from Breads (which is more uptown than I'd normally go). Levain is an absolute FAVORITE, seriously best chocolate cookie in the world. One of our doctors here lives right next door and once or twice a month he brings a whole box in. Serious gluttony. Thanks for sharing these!

    coffeeslag

    COFFEESLAG Current Healthy Habits

  • Ali Bourke

    Cookies from Levain have been on my list for a while, they look amazing! Dominique Ansel also does some really great desserts – the frozen s'more is delicious and I hear their cronuts are delicious if you can manage to get your hands on one!

    alibourke.blogspot.com x

  • Cheap stdTestiNG

    I really like the desserts specially when it comes to new york city its awesome. I like the way you describe it here. Cheap STD Testing NYCthanks

  • Kristine

    Breads Bakery. OMG. That picture captures it all…

    http://www.seenaskristine.com

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