New York City, with its diverse cuisines and flavours, is a foodie’s paradise. But when it comes to desserts, the city takes things to a whole new level.
From classic New York-style cheesecake to trendy cronuts, over-the-top milkshakes, and artisanal doughnuts, there is no shortage of sweet options in the city that never sleeps.
Here is the Ultimate Guide to some of the Best Desserts to try when in New York City!
Cheesecake from Junior’s
The iconic Junior’s restaurant has been serving up their classic New York-style cheesecake since 1950. The cheesecake is dense, creamy, and baked with a graham cracker crust, topped with a layer of sour cream.
Junior’s also offers a variety of flavoured cheesecakes, including raspberry swirl and chocolate mousse.
The flagship location in Brooklyn is always crowded, but you can also find Junior’s in other locations throughout the city. Their cheesecake is a must-try for anyone visiting New York City.
Cronut from Dominique Ansel Bakery
The cronut, a pastry hybrid between a croissant and a doughnut, created by pastry chef Dominique Ansel in 2013, took the world by storm.
The buttery, flaky cronut is coated in flavoured sugar and filled with a different flavored cream, such as vanilla or raspberry. The line at Dominique Ansel Bakery can be long, but the wait is worth it.
Even after 10 years of the Cronut being created, it is still an incredibly popular dessert and often sells out early in the day.
Milkshake from Black Tap
Black Tap is known for its over-the-top milkshakes that are piled high with toppings like candy, cookies, and even slices of cake.
The milkshake flavours range from classic vanilla to more unique options like cotton candy or “The Bam Bam”, which is loaded with Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Black Tap has multiple locations throughout the city and is a popular spot for anyone looking for a sweet, Instagram-worthy treat.
Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery
Magnolia Bakery is famous for its classic American desserts like cupcakes and banana pudding. Their cupcakes are made with a light, fluffy cake and creamy frosting that comes in a variety of flavours, including red velvet, vanilla, and chocolate.
Magnolia Bakery also offers seasonal flavours throughout the year, such as pumpkin spice in the fall and peppermint during the holidays. The bakery has several locations throughout the city, making it easy to satisfy your cupcake cravings wherever you’re based.
Doughnuts from Doughnut Plant
Doughnut Plant is a bakery that specialises in artisanal doughnuts made with high-quality ingredients and unique flavour combinations. The doughnuts come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including square-shaped doughnuts.
Some of their most popular doughnuts include the Tres Leches, which is soaked in three types of milk, and the Peanut Butter and Blackberry Jam, which is filled with house-made jam. But my favourite is their Maple Pancake Doughnut, which contains maple flavoured cake and topped with a salted butter cream stripe.
Doughnut Plant has several locations throughout the city, so you can get your doughnut fix no matter where you are.
Ice Cream from Ample Hills Creamery
Ample Hills Creamery is a Brooklyn-based ice cream shop that has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Their ice cream is made in small batches using high-quality ingredients, and the flavours range from classic vanilla and chocolate to more unique options like Snap, Mallow, Pop!, which is made with Rice Krispies, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips.
Ample Hills has several locations throughout the city, including a flagship location in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
Pastries from Breads Bakery
Breads Bakery is a bakery and cafe that specialises in artisanal breads and pastries. Their pastries are made with high-quality ingredients and are baked fresh daily.
Some of their most popular pastries include the chocolate babka, which is a buttery, chocolate-filled bread. And your can’t forget about their almond croissant, which is flaky and filled with almond cream.
Breads Bakery has several locations throughout the city, so you can grab a fresh pastry no matter where you are.
Pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds
Four & Twenty Blackbirds is a Brooklyn-based bakery that specialises in sweet and savoury pies made with seasonal ingredients. Their pies come in a variety of flavours, including salted caramel apple and bittersweet chocolate pecan.
The bakery has several locations throughout the city, so you can get your pie fix no matter where you are.
Honorable Mentions and other Must Try Spots
Nothing on this list take your fancy? Well there’s plenty of other New York Desserts to try. Here are a few honorable mentions:
- Levain Bakery’s chocolate chip walnut cookie: This giant cookie is crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, often called the best cookie in the city.
(Can’t wait to visit NYC? Well you’re in luck! Heres a Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe)
- Milk Bar: prepare to enter the world of delicious dessert creations created by the one and only Christina Tosi herself. From Milk Bar Pie to their iconic Birthday Cake, you’ll find anything and everything to crave your sweet tooth. Trust me if you want something sweet head on over to this New York desserts spot.
- DO NYC: a cookie dough haven for dessert lovers who love all things chocolate chip cookies.
New York City is a dessert lover’s paradise, with a wide variety of sweet treats to choose from.
Whether you’re in the mood for classic cheesecake, trendy cronuts, or artisanal doughnuts, there’s something for everyone’s taste buds in this city.
So go ahead, indulge your cravings, and explore the sweet side of New York Desserts 🧁🍰🍪