Unless something goes really wrong, dessert is pretty much guaranteed to be good. Cakes, pies, ice cream, cookies, and other decadent treats are almost always going to achieve a certain level of satisfying.
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00:00Have you ever heard of Queen Amman? If you love dessert, keep watching to learn about it,
00:07as well as all the other most delicious cookies, pies, and ice cream sundaes across the country.
00:15Biting into a cannoli is a transformational experience.
00:19South Philadelphia's Termini Brothers Bakery nurtures a deep-rooted local Italian tradition
00:25with true cannoli perfection. Traditional Sicilian cannoli feature fresh sheep's milk ricotta and a
00:33delicate, fried, pipe-shaped shell that houses a creamy, rich, sweet cheese filling. A multitude
00:40of textures sets this dessert apart from any challengers. Termini Brothers captures the magic
00:46of the cannoli with a crisp and delicate shell, subtly sweet filling, and intentional timing.
00:53Every one of their cannolis is filled on spot to prevent soggy shells and promote that quintessential
01:00crunch. If you're outside of Pennsylvania, you can still enjoy Termini Brothers by ordering online.
01:06A small package includes six cannoli shells and two pastry bags with cannoli filling.
01:12And Howard, it looks like they got those cannolis down to a science.
01:17Yes, yes, it is. It's a well-oiled machine here.
01:20Ice cream is one of America's most coveted comfort foods. According to a 2015 study by
01:26Yahoo Food, 41 percent of Americans favor ice cream over all other desserts. Toscanini's,
01:34a 40-year-old Boston institution, plays right into that ice cream-loving narrative.
01:40Their flavors really push the ice cream limits, with the likes of Kolfi and Fluffernutter. This
01:46place even wears the New York Times Badge of Honor for the world's best ice cream with
01:51enthusiastic pride. Approaching the shop is a thrill. A large and groovy font adorns large
01:58windows, with views of bar-style seating and pastel cups on the other side of the glass.
02:04Enthusiastic staff members greet customers, and eager ice cream eaters set up shop with
02:10computers and earbuds for an afternoon of work, accompanied by the scent of sweet,
02:16cool cream. Toscanini's menu is extensive, but the Salty Caramel is absolutely the best of the
02:23bunch. A silky-smooth base, deeply caramelized sweetness, and a salty kiss elevate this variety
02:31above all others. With a cheeky name and a well-stocked supply of Maine's official treat,
02:37Two Fat Cats is generating nationwide buzz. Shelves squeezed tight with freshly baked pies
02:43and other confections have drawn both the Food Network and Cooking Channel to Portland for
02:49first-hand access to the whoopie pie baking process. Whether you frequent either the Portland
02:55or South Portland location, the classic whoopie pie is one of the best desserts in the country.
03:01For those unfamiliar, whoopie pies aren't exactly a pastry-based pie, but are instead
03:07more like a sandwich cookie and chocolate cake fusion.
03:11The origin of the whoopie pie is debated between proud Maine and Pennsylvania residents,
03:16but both stories testify to the enthusiastic whoopie that ensues
03:22after biting into one of these sweet treats.
03:25"...what is whoopie?"
03:31"...what is whoopie?"
03:32If you can't make it all the way to Maine, fear not, as these delightfully large and pillowy
03:38chocolate cake domes filled with a light and creamy marshmallow fluff buttercream
03:43are available on Gold Belly for nationwide shipping.
03:48Tucked between scenic Blue Ridge Mountain Peaks, Whole Donuts is Asheville, North Carolina's
03:54resident donut haven. This place plays its cards well, catering to America's well-founded
04:00fried dough appetite. We can credit Russian refugee Adolf Levitt for inventing the automated
04:06donut machine in 1920 and lighting a flame to the donut craze we can all relish today.
04:12Whole Donuts sets forth on its dessert journey with a soft yeast dough. Inventive coatings
04:18transform the fried dough base with combinations like strawberry and black pepper that allow for
04:24plenty of creative decision-making. But it's the cinnamon and sugar variety that really captures
04:31the art of simplistic perfection. Every donut is fried to order, so the second you clutch a warm
04:38cinnamon sugar donut and bite into the pillowy dough, it's impossible to overlook the dedication
04:44to detail. Golden brown and crisp on the outside, these treats aren't the least bit greasy.
04:50Hand-cut edges feature eccentric bubbles and nodules to trap beautifully balanced bits of
04:57cinnamon and sugar. These carefully thought-out details have Whole Donuts unsurprisingly boasting
05:03a full-on five-star rating on Yelp. Bold statements are commonplace at Charleston,
05:10South Carolina's Peninsula Grill, which is considered the crown jewel of the city's dining
05:15scene. Indoor-outdoor flow, towering greenery, and glowing light accents set the stage for a
05:22coconut cake at the center of it all. Before dessert, you can feast on a Southern-inspired
05:28meal with freshly shucked oysters, seasonal mains, and epic steak cuts, either on the outdoor patio
05:36or the intimate dining room. The ultimate coconut cake is the grand finale that has satisfied diners
05:42across the country. The Charleston City Paper called it the best slice of heaven, while it's
05:48also garnered TV coverage on The Today Show and Good Morning America. The cake itself is a 12-layer
05:54centerpiece, with six layers each of coconut cake and cream cheese frosting. The toasted coconut
06:01coated outer edge is a teasing tip-off for what's to come on the inside. Weighing in at an extraordinary
06:0912 pounds, the ultimate coconut cake can also arrive right at your door, thanks to nationwide
06:15shipping.
06:16A lot of customers will stop and just notice how majestic it is."
06:21The Avalon International Breads operation started small, but their commitment to quality organic
06:27ingredients and passionate baking have grown it into a statewide venture throughout Michigan.
06:33The bakery began on the backs of friends and family who contributed bread dough dollars to
06:39make the place become a reality. Three Michigan locations supply local carb lovers with pastries,
06:45cookies, cakes, and crusty bread loaves for retail and in-house cafe sandwiches.
06:52Among all their goodies, the Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk Cookie reigns supreme,
06:57earning the title of Best Cookie in Michigan from Yelp in 2017. A true celebration of sweet and salty,
07:05each cookie is golden brown on the outside with bursting smooth chocolate chunks on the inside,
07:11and a perfect salty bite at the end. The chocolate chunk cookie is so coveted that the generous
07:17Avalon bakery staff share their best dessert offering with locals for special events.
07:23Michigan locals can also purchase this top-rated cookie in select Whole Foods
07:28Market stores, in addition to the three bakery locations.
07:33Biscuits and pie are an unlikely, yet logical union. Luckily for Chicago locals and visiting
07:40tourists, Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits is executing on this extraordinary coalition, and a masterful
07:47take on key lime pie is at the epicenter of their pastry-forward menu. Satisfy your savory tooth
07:54with sausage biscuit or pot pie before diving headfirst into one of the country's best desserts.
08:01An unquestionable Florida staple, key limes are smaller and sweeter than their Persian
08:07lime counterparts. But Chicago is serving up one of the country's most poised key lime pie slices
08:14with a lusciously smooth custard studded with aromatic, freshly grated lime zest and set in a
08:20homemade graham cracker crust. Going the extra mile is paying off, so much so that the key lime
08:26pie happens to be Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits' year-round bestseller. As customers interviewed
08:33by Insider declared,
08:35"[Key lime's my favorite pie in general, and theirs is delicious. And,
08:40their key lime pie is the best key lime ever."
08:43"'Bang Bang!' Let's do this."
08:48Dominique Ansel's visionary pastry prowess made worldwide headlines when he invented
08:54and debuted the Cronut. As a result, many bakery-goers initially overlooked the mighty
09:00Queen Amand at his New York bakery. A pastry hailing from the Brittany region of France,
09:06this masterpiece marries the flaky texture of a croissant and caramelized sweetness of a
09:12pommier cookie. Teetering between a breakfast pastry and buttery afternoon dessert, the pastry's
09:19addictive qualities left Ansel no other choice but to share his original recipe with The Cooking
09:24Channel, so we too can bake our way to flaky and caramelized sugar perfection.
09:30The baking process closely mirrors that of croissants, using folds to create layers of
09:36butter in between the yeasted dough. Before the final fold, the Queen Amand strays from
09:41its croissant cousin with an added dusting of granulated sugar. Dominique Ansel then
09:47carefully shapes the delicate pastries and bakes them in metal rings. With just enough
09:53dough overhang to create a caramelized, muffin-like top, this caramelized croissant
09:59is actually Dominique's number one best-selling item. If you want one delivered to your front door,
10:05order a four-piece box and taste this little piece of heaven in the comfort of your own home.
10:11Located in the city of Homestead, Nas Berry Farm is a verified food destination for Southern
10:17Floridians. Founded as a roadstand in 1956, the Nas family started selling their fresh
10:24strawberries to locals, eventually expanding their established reputation to include
10:29baked goods as well. For some Nas Berry Farm visitors, the pick-your-own-strawberries play
10:35second fiddle to the beautifully sticky cinnamon rolls. The family operation treats the rolls with
10:41the same level of care as the strawberry fields. Strawberry season runs from November to April,
10:48which means that lines form quickly, though they thankfully move fast. Nas Berry Farm's cinnamon
10:54roll is inherently comforting. With a light and fluffy dough and melt-in-your-mouth sticky
11:00exterior, they're hefty in size, featuring a hypnotic cinnamon sugar swirl and gooey glaze
11:07that caresses the soft dough's twists and turns. You can also order them on GoldBelly
11:12if you've got the cinnamon cravings at home.
11:15These ooey gooey yummy cinnamon rolls here, people have been lining up since dark and early this
11:22morning."
11:23The Commander's Palace is a New Orleans dining institution. A cheerful blue exterior greets
11:30eager diners, foreshadowing a meal full of genuine whimsy. The historic Garden District
11:36location opened way back in 1893, and it's since secured a verified culinary reputation
11:43with seven James Beard Foundation Awards. The menu takes on an identity near and dear to its
11:49surroundings. Head chef Meg Bickford uses local inspiration to transform local ingredients into
11:57a New Orleans-inspired Oak Creole menu steeped in local history. Gulf shrimp, crawfish, and center
12:04cut steaks take shape as jambalaya, gumbo, and a roasted beet jus bartelez to accompany seared
12:12beef. But it's the reputation of the bread pudding souffle that travels well beyond this soulful
12:18city's epicenter. The Commander's Palace 20-minute build-up and mountainous presentation is a
12:24one-of-a-kind, big easy dining experience. A rich souffle base of cream, eggs, and warm spices
12:32take an airy turn when whipped egg whites and fluffy French bread join the party.
12:38The iconic ceramic dish arrives at the table with impressive golden brown height and a personalized
12:44table-side warm whiskey sauce pour. A milk and cookie dipping session is a childhood dream.
12:52The warm and crispy exterior touched by a glass of cold milk always leaves an addictive aftertaste.
12:59Atlanta's Joy Cafe is bringing those nostalgic memories back by honing the art of comforting
13:05and creative Southern baking. The Cookies and Milk Pie stays true to that narrative
13:10and honors the gratifying simplicity of dunking your dessert into a glass of dairy.
13:16Executive chef and co-owner Joy Babert took months to perfect the Cookies and Milk Pie recipe,
13:22striving to accurately mimic the flavors of a milk-dunked, slightly soft chocolate chip cookie.
13:28Every component is made from scratch, starting with the chocolate chip cookies that are dunked
13:33in vanilla cream, before the two components merge on top of a graham cracker crust to form
13:39a delicious mound. For added curb appeal and texture, the creamy pie top embraces a sprinkling
13:46of chocolate chip cookie crumbles. A true labor of love, we can thank chef Babert for her meticulous
13:53process and pie that absolutely holds up to the hype.
13:57You know Joy's food has no calories, right?"
14:01The Latin-inspired menu at Washington, D.C.'s Seven Reasons is a culinary feat led by Venezuelan
14:08native Enrique Lomardo. Architectural intrigue guides the entire Seven Reasons dining experience,
14:15starting with the restaurant's three-story arboreal dining room.
14:19The plates are visually stunning, informed by Lomardo's industrial design studies and
14:25his childhood memories in the kitchen. His creative food style has earned high praise
14:31from D.C. food royalty, with The Washington Post designating Seven Reasons as the number one
14:37restaurant in the city in 2019. The Melting Cloud dessert challenges the thrill of the entire meal
14:44that comes before it, holding true to Lomardo's deliciously creative theatrical tendencies.
14:50He masterfully recreates the flavors of a lemon-coconut pie as he assembles together
14:56a lemon custard, almond crumble, limoncello marshmallow, butter cookie sorbet, coconut foam,
15:03and finally, a meltable cotton candy encasement that's torched right at the table.
15:09The cotton candy cloud collapses under the heat, leaving behind bright flavors and giant smiles.
15:16When Giovanni Bola immigrated to America decades ago, his future tiramisu empire was an unforeseen
15:23venture. But when his daughter Isabella suggested that he start a tiramisu business,
15:28delivering scrumptious trays of this classic Italian dessert became his new mission,
15:34and thus, Giovanni's tiramisu was born. Cut much like a slice of American sheet cake,
15:40tiramisu combines layers of espresso-dipped spongy ladyfinger cookies, a lightly sweetened
15:47mascarpone cheese cream, and alternating dustings of cocoa powder. The name itself refers to the
15:53instant pick-me-up as a result of a little sugar, a little coffee, and sometimes,
15:58a little alcohol dousing. Simply put, tiramisu is a dessert that satisfies in so many ways.
16:05Giovanni's version highlights all of tiramisu's most amazing qualities.
16:10The recipe hails from his Piedmont upbringing, with 100 percent Italian imported ingredients,
16:16resulting in a concoction that's perfectly caffeinated and not overly sweet.
16:22And now, Giovanni is considered the tiramisu delivery man of Los Angeles.
16:27The world has been captivated by his passion, as his irresistible tiramisu has earned him praise
16:33from the likes of CBS, the Los Angeles Times, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Lucky Los Angeles
16:40and San Fernando Valley residents can also order his tiramisu for doorstep delivery.
16:45The rest of us will have to make a trip to the West Coast to experience the magic.
16:50"...Giovanni's story of love, family, and resilience is baked into his tiramisu."
16:55A classic American steakhouse, Gibson's has been drawing crowds in Chicago since
17:00its doors opened back in 1989. Loyal customers are, of course, fans of the corn-fed aged beef
17:07served in thick, juicy slabs, but the dessert has also raised more than a few eyebrows.
17:13Theatrically named The Meaning of Life, Gibson's towering behemoth of a cake weighs a whopping
17:196 pounds per slice. Intimidating in its grandiose serving size, The Meaning of Life features five
17:27layers of decadence. Stacked with chocolate mousse, banana, raspberry, and whipped cream,
17:33this enormous treat arrives at the table with a sturdy steak knife plunged in the top.
17:38Nobody leaves Gibson's Bar & Steakhouse hungry, and the restaurant certainly manages to do well
17:44for itself, as it topped the charts as one of the 50 highest-grossing restaurants in the country
17:49in 2018. With huge portions and even bigger flavor, customers come for a prime Angus beef dinner
17:57and then find themselves discovering the meaning of life at dessert.
18:01If you follow the rocky road all the way to the source, you'll eventually arrive at
18:05Fenton's Creamery, where for the past 120-plus years, this little ice cream shop has been
18:11defining dessert across American history. There's something both wholesome and nostalgic about a
18:17retro soda shop serving up handcrafted ice creams, milkshakes, and towering sundae bowls.
18:24Fenton's is known in particular for its Black & Tan Sundae, which is filled with toasted almond
18:30ice cream and creamy Madagascar vanilla layered in between caramel and chocolate fudge sauce,
18:36and it's all topped with toasted almonds, whipped cream, and of course, a cherry.
18:42Over their long and storied history of making ice cream in California,
18:46Fenton's has been featured on the Travel Channel, The History Channel,
18:50Food Network, Zogat, and USA Today. Even more impressive, it got the big-screen treatment
18:57in the classic Pixar movie Up. So, if you're looking for a nostalgic scoop in the Bay Area,
19:03be sure to swing by Fenton's for a sundae that tastes like a piece of history.
19:08Les Madelines is a cozy little neighborhood bakery in Salt Lake City that's been getting
19:13national attention for one of its remarkable pastries. Called the Queen Amand, it's a lesser
19:19known treat in the United States, but that ought to change. The Queen Amand bread pudding is both
19:24flaky and crunchy. With a gooey, salted caramel glaze, this unassuming filo is gaining a cult
19:31following. This pastry features dough laminated in salted butter and rolled in sugar. Similar to a
19:38croissant, the Queen Amand has also been known in Europe as the fattiest pastry in the world.
19:44Featured on the likes of Best Thing I Ever Ate, Food & Wine, and O Magazine, this little sweet
19:50bread is a rising star. As the first bakery west of the Mississippi to offer the French treat,
19:56Les Madelines has been gaining notoriety far outside Utah. Clearly, this old-fashioned
20:02Parisian sweet treat has been having quite the moment on the other side of the Atlantic.
20:08Really cool. Can I have some?
20:09Yeah, can I have some?
20:10Yeah, absolutely.
20:12The fact that sticky buns require you to wash their hands immediately after eating them doesn't
20:17hamper their desirability. In fact, some messy desserts are enhanced thanks to their chaotic
20:23nature. At Boston's Flower Bakery and Cafe, the buns are extra sticky. So much so that they're
20:30actually called Sticky Sticky Buns and are beloved across the country. Sticky Sticky Buns
20:37are brioche dough swirls sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and topped with chopped pecans. The
20:43entire bun is backed in a thick liquid of water, honey, heavy cream, brown sugar, and butter until
20:50they become thick and gooey. The end result is one of the most delightfully messy morning treats
20:56you'll ever get your sticky hands on. For those who live outside of Boston and want to get gooey,
21:02Flower Bakery and Cafe sells both a frozen Sticky Sticky Bun and a kit for making even
21:08more of a mess on your own couch. This way, you can eat them as sloppily as you'd like in the
21:14privacy of home. Sweet Lady Jane's Triple Berry Cake is the go-to for special occasions that
21:21require a decadent dessert in Los Angeles. With three layers of sweet cake covered in whipped
21:27cream and decorated in buttercream vines and berries, it looks just as beautiful as it tastes.
21:33Many celebrities have celebrated with a Sweet Lady Jane cake, including Oprah Winfrey,
21:38who has listed it as one of her favorite things. Additionally, the cake has been covered by the
21:44likes of Newsweek, InStyle, Country Home, Entertainment Weekly, Access Hollywood,
21:50Extra, Los Angeles Magazine, Bon Appetit, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times,
21:56and People Magazine, among others. The operation was started by Jane Lockhart as a small cake
22:03business from her home, as she sold her desserts to local restaurants before opening her first
22:08bakery in West Hollywood. Customers love Sweet Lady Jane's simple flavor palette and fresh
22:14ingredients, all of which are made in-house. If you're looking for a slice that embodies
22:19Hollywood glamour and elegance, a Triple Berry Cake at Sweet Lady Jane's is exactly what you need.
22:27Inspired by the boxed Funfetti birthday cake of our childhoods,
22:30Momofuku Milk Bar upgrades the box for a sublime rendition of a time-honored classic.
22:37It's a birthday cake that's made some pretty big strides since grade school.
22:41No longer baked on a sheet pan and smeared with too-sweet canned icing,
22:46these Momofuku cakes have serious clout. Three gourmet tiers are layered with creamy frosting
22:52and crunchy crumbs before getting doused in multicolored sprinkles.
22:57Known for turning familiar favorites into modern, delectable treats,
23:01the milk bar has been called one of the most exciting bakeries in the country
23:05by Bon Appetit and has been profiled on the Netflix docuseries Chef's Table.
23:11The bakery was founded by James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Christina Tosi,
23:16whose flagship location in New York has since grown into multiple locations and pop-ups around
23:22the country. Currently, even those outside of Milk Bar's major metropolitan locations can enjoy
23:29a celebratory cake, as they are currently available by mail delivery. With Momofuku's
23:34reach growing and its popularity rising, these confetti box cakes may just become
23:40the new regular face of birthday celebrations.
23:44I shall have
23:49a birthday cake!
23:51A food combination made in heaven, peanut butter and jelly has recently been taken to new heights
23:57never thought possible. At Tartine Manufactories Cookies & Cream in San Francisco, this nostalgic
24:04flavor duo has been transformed into an ice cream pie. The result is a holy marriage of euphoric
24:11flavor. Tartine swirls soft-serve vanilla ice cream and blueberry sorbet together in a peanut
24:17butter cookie crumb crust topped with homemade jam, and then they garnish the top with candied
24:24roasted peanuts. The combination is so extraordinary that the pie has been featured in numerous
24:29publications, and it was even named Bon Appetit's Best Dessert of 2017. You can find this divine
24:36creation at Cookies & Cream, the ice cream shop located inside Tartine Manufactory.
24:42This restaurant-slash-bakery has also racked up its fair share of accolades outside of the
24:48ice cream business. Their breads and pastries have all received rave reviews and are all carefully
24:54crafted in small batches daily. While San Francisco has its fair share of decadent ice
25:00cream parlors, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything quite like Tartine's PB&J Ice Cream
25:06Pie anywhere. It's like a childhood dream come true. When it's hot and humid outside, there's
25:13one pie that can always beat the heat. Both tart and sweet, a key lime combines the creamy texture
25:19of condensed milk and the refreshing citrus of its signature fruit. Served on a graham cracker
25:25crust, there's no better way to experience the tropics of Florida. At Kermit's Key Lime Shop,
25:31patrons can get a slice of a perfected pie topped with homemade whipped cream.
25:37Named as one of the 13 Best Places for Key Lime Pie in Florida by Trips Discover and
25:42one of the 20 Best Things to Do in Key West by Southern Living, Kermit's specializes in
25:48everything sweet and key lime. With two locations in Key West and one in Deland,
25:54Kermit's has expanded their business from a small smoothie stand to shipping pies,
25:59juice, sauces, jams, jellies, nuts, and dry mixes nationwide. If you happen to find yourself on the
26:07hot streets of Key West looking for a small pie fix, this shop offers its key lime pies by the
26:13bar as well. Served as slices on a stick and dipped deep in milk, dark, or white chocolate,
26:20these delectable treats are perfect for snacking on the go.
26:24No matter the recipe, one bite of this refreshing citrus dessert will put you in the mindset
26:30of paradise. Since it was first introduced, cheesecake has made some great strides in flavor,
26:36and one of the best examples of that is Eileen's Special Cheesecake Shop in New York City.
26:42If you eat here, you may very well come to believe that the cheesecake has finally achieved
26:47its final form of pure deliciousness. Eileen Avezzano has grown her business from a small
26:53project out of her apartment to a successful bakery in downtown Manhattan to one of the
26:58great destinations in New York for locals and tourists alike. Using her traditional family
27:04recipe, her cheesecakes are the perfect combination of light, creamy, sweet, and tangy.
27:11Eileen's has been hailed as one of the best cheesecakes in America by Food & Wine
27:16and as the best cheesecake in New York by Gotham Magazine.
27:20Eileen's cheesecakes come in a variety of flavors and toppings.
27:24Served with a fruity compote or cookie crusts, these dessert delights come as a single-order
27:30mini cheesecake, 6-inch pie, or 10-inch pie. There are seasonal flavors as well,
27:35no matter the season, so you know there's always something special going on at Eileen's.
27:41Each cake has hand-pressed crusts and they're all made in-store,
27:44which the bakery takes pride in, advertising that,
27:48"...there's nothing factory about our cheesecakes."
27:51For those outside the city craving a bite, Eileen's also delivers nationally via their website.