The Berliner donut, a round, jam-filled doughnut, is made from lightly sweet yeast dough and is typically finished with powdered sugar or icing. Traditional fillings include jam or citrusy marmalade, while modern versions may use cream or chocolate.
"We're bringing our childhood memories to the table, and now people are paying attention," said Erick Rocha, pastry chef at Corima in Manhattan and the all-day cafe Vato, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where conchas regularly sell out.
Modern Bread and Bagel is a gluten-free shop that started in New York City and has expanded to Los Angeles with three locations. It was created by Orly Gottesman, who wanted her husband, with celiac disease, to enjoy high-quality gluten-free baked goods. The pastries are exceptional, with a large selection available daily, including unique items like crumb cake and chocolate zucchini bread.
Whole Foods' vegan vanilla cupcakes are praised for their fluffy and moist texture, making them a top choice for those seeking plant-based options. Customers enjoy the well-balanced frosting made with vegan cream cheese, which complements the cupcake perfectly.
Chrissy Teigen's banana bread is incredibly sweet, with dark chocolate chunks that don't quite balance the sweetness, resulting in a cake-like, chewy texture rather than the tender crumb typical of banana bread.
International Delight's Almond Joy Coffee Creamer blends together the tastes of coconut, milk chocolate, and toasted almonds. The result is a well balanced, coconut-forward creamer with the perfect amount of toasty nuttiness. The chocolate isn't overwhelming in the slightest - in fact, our tester could barely pick up on it, which was actually appreciated.
These candied nuts have become one of the cornerstones. You can make them with whatever nuts you have on hand, they keep beautifully for over a week, and they're an easy win as part of a larger snack-y spread. They also bridge the sweet-savory gap wonderfully and I've been serving them with a range of spreads, flatbread, and other bite-sized sweet treats.
Chocolate artist Chris Ford's whimsical creations - once available exclusively online and to celebrities - are now accessible at his West Hollywood pop-up shop. The Butter, Love & Hardwork space features themed, seasonal chocolate designs inspired by holidays and special occasions, from Valentine's roses to Easter eggs. Beyond chocolates, the shop now offers pastries, coffee drinks and a chocolate vending machine, with plans for a dessert tasting menu.
A chocolate box is not a substitute for true love. But sometimes it's close enough. The best chocolate boxes can offer all the complexity and intensity of a brief love affair, and more variety than some lives. Sometimes, only the best will do. And these days, the best chocolates in existence are a mere mouse-click away, able to be ordered online and sent to your favorite human being on earth (even if it's you).
'Deviled cookies' consist of cookie shells baked in egg-shaped baking molds, then piped full of fillings like vanilla buttercream or chocolate frosting. They can then be customized with toppings from sprinkles to candies and chocolate chips, allowing you to blend many flavors into each little bite. With a delectable mix of crispy, chewy, and creamy textures, your guests will never forget this finger food mashup.
