California might be stereotyped as the land of health food, but that doesn’t mean that locals don’t know how to enjoy a good cheat day! From internationally-renowned haute cuisine with a sweet focus to mashups of decadent delights to good old-fashioned goodies, you can find all kinds of places for desserts in California. Check out just a few of the very best.
Betty’s Pie Whole has a whole lot of pies—including breakfast and savory versions. Skip them and go straight for the sweet stuff, like the super-rich Mississippi Mud Pie that is completely homemade and nothing like the versions found at chain restaurants.
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If you can’t choose between cookies or ice cream, then head to the Baked Bear. Originated from San Diego, the Baked Bear has since expanded to offer its unique cookie or doughnut or pastry ice cream sandwich combos to much of California and beyond.
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The Dirty Cookie eliminates the need for dunking by making cup out of cookie. Fill your cookie shot with your choice of milk or coffee or opt for a more traditional version of a cookie paired with a separate beverage of your choosing.
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After Ice Cream pairs Asian milk pastries with creamy ice cream for an East meets West dessert hybrid. The Pasadena location is based out a historic gas station, making it a fun place to cool off on a warm California day.
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Van’s Bakery is a mom and pop-style bakery that goes above and beyond the average corner bakery. Locals love stopping in for macaron ice cream sandwiches (try the s’mores) on weekends or the occasional green pandan waffles, a Vietnamese snack. There are also cream puffs and cakes, and more treats.
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The small-batch specialty chocolate factory has a café featuring chocolatey pastries, frozen and hot chocolate beverages and other sweets in a cozy location. Choose from the daily specials and watch as beans become bars.
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Michelin starred chef Dominique Crenn used to offer a full tasting menu focusing on dessert. These days you can still find a lot of desserts on the menu, you just have to eat your way through savory courses first. Totally worth the high price to see desserts that are as beautiful to behold as they are to taste.
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