The 9 Best Places for Dessert in California!
By Carly Zinderman

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.

1. Betty’s Pie Whole, Encinitas, CA

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.

Friday calls for personal pies-- peach pies and key lime pies to be exact. @bettyspiewhole in #Encinitas is the place you MUST go for pies if you love them as much as I do. Sweet pies, savory pies, they have them all! Photo: @sweetbricks #BettysPieWholeSaloon #pie #youstayhungrysd

A post shared by YouStayHungrySD (@youstayhungrysd) on Oct 2, 2015 at 8:26am PDT

2. Juniper & Ivy, San Diego, CA

Yodels. And we aren’t talking about the kind you’ll find in the supermarket. The magic happens when chocolate is poured over the log and the richness hits your tongue. Plus, it makes for a great culinary experience and fun photos that last beyond chocolate melting in your mouth.

ðŸ˜ #Repost @sambirdinsties ãƒ»ãƒ»ãƒ» New dessert for #SanDiego "winter." Pine needle caramel mousse, spiced wine center, with ginger bread and chestnut snow â„ï¸

A post shared by Juniper and Ivy Restaurant (@juniperandivy) on Dec 16, 2017 at 5:12pm PST

3. The Baked Bear, Multiple locations

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.

Cutest food stack ever ðŸ’–ðŸ¦ðŸ’– . . #Repost @the_hungrybeast ãƒ»ãƒ»ãƒ» “OHHHH GAWDDDD, DON’T LET IT DROP,” on the DL tho, I’d still pick it up before 5 secs ðŸ¤£. Because 1 ice cream sando is never enough, and 3 is just right. . ðŸ¥‡ Funfetti cake cookie with strawberry cheesecake icecream ðŸ¥ˆ Chocolate chip cookie with Bear Batter icecream ðŸ¥‰ Red velvet cookie with cookies & cream icecream . --------------------------------------- ðŸ’¯FOLLOW @the_hungrybeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . #cookies #cookiesncream #icecreamdate #cookiesofinstagram #cookiesandmilk #icecream #icecreamlover #icecreamparty #icecreamday #icecreamface #redvelvet #funfetti #chocolatechip #sugarcookies #christmascookies #girlscoutcookies #cookiesandmilk #cookiestagram #cookiesfordays #cookie #desserts #dessertporn #dessertoftheday #dessertgram #dessertstory #healthydesserts #tabledessert #yummydessert

A post shared by Icecreamadventurer (@icecreamadventurer) on Oct 12, 2017 at 9:59pm PDT

4. The Dirty Cookie, Tustin, CA

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.

Treat yo' self and your friends! 'Tis the season, after all ðŸ™ŒðŸ¼

A post shared by The Dirty Cookie® (@thedirtycookieoc) on Dec 23, 2017 at 9:31pm PST

5. Afters Ice Cream, Multiple locations

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.

PICK ONE ðŸ˜ We're open til MIDNIGHT! #aftersicecream ðŸ“·: @dailyfoodfeed

A post shared by Afters Ice Cream (@aftersicecream) on Dec 28, 2017 at 5:23pm PST

6. Van’s Bakery, Multiple locations

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.

when you can't choose which ice cream sandwich to get, get them all ðŸ˜‹ - ðŸ“· by @allie.eats ðŸ“ by @foodie.dreams #MyFab5 #BayAreaEats #BayAreaFoodie #BayArea #foodshare #foodstagram #foodies #forkyeah #nomnomnom #icecream #icecreamsandwich #dessert #sweettooth #treatyoself

A post shared by Bay Area's @BestFoodFeed (@bestfoodbayarea) on May 24, 2017 at 1:00pm PDT

7. Dandelion Chocolate, San Francisco, CA

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.

[Travel eats - San Francisco] If you are a serious chocolate lover, no trip to SF should be without a stop at @dandelionchocolate ! This small bean-to-bar chocolate factory makes gourmet chocolates in SF's Mission District! . They have a cafe section where you can enjoy their creations. I opted for the chef's chocolate tasting flight, which uses a single origin chocolate for each item! (Swipe to see more) . Hands down my favourite items were the S'more - the marshmallow had amazing texture and paired well with the chocolate; and the Panna Cotta. Absolutely fantastic ðŸ˜‹! . #chocolatetasting #eatersf #chocolatetime #sffoodies #chocolateheaven #sffoodie #sffood #sfeats #dandelionchocolate _____________________________________________ #traveleats #travelfood #travelfoodie #travellingfoodie #travelingfoodie #traveltoeat #foodtrip #foodtrippin #foodtripping #eatwelltraveloften #foodaroundtheworld #foodtravel #foodietravel #travelandeat #foodandtravel #torontofoodie #torontofoodies #yyzfoodie #yyzfoodies #canadianfoodie #internationalfoodie

A post shared by Toronto Food & Drinks | Foodie (@instantonium) on Jan 8, 2018 at 5:23pm PST

8. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco, CA

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.

Turning food into gold @atelier.crenn

A post shared by Dominique Crenn (@dominiquecrenn) on Oct 26, 2017 at 8:17am PDT

9. Milk, Los Angeles, CA

Milk is kind of like a modern imaging of an old-fashioned soda fountain. You’ll find lots of ice cream in various forms ranging from scoops to sandwiches to floats and shakes. You’ll also find, cookies, macarons, brownies and cakes. Including a giant ice cream sandwich cake.

Let's get the party started! ðŸ¾ðŸ¦Need to pick up some last minute desserts for your NYE bash? Both stores are open until 4pm today! Can't make it out? On demand deliveries are available through @postmates and @ubereats ðŸ™ŒðŸ»Thank you all for an amazing year, see you in 2018!

A post shared by MILK (@themilkshop_la) on Dec 31, 2017 at 11:40am PST

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The 9 Best Places for Dessert in California! By Carly Zinderman