Dessert Darling

Platine Cookies: Roll Your Eyes Back and Die in Deliciousness

HOLY SUGAR COOKIE SANDWICH!  I about died, DIED, when I bit into the amazingness that is the vanilla, vanilla "Oreo" with buttercream frosting inside. I must award it the Golden Cherry now for best Sugar Cookie-Vanilla Buttercream sandwich, for I'm sure nothing in that category will compare. ;)

Imagine baking Pillsbury sugar cookies and then spreading on some Betty Crocker frosting: now imagine that combination tasting a hundred times better with real, natural, and fresh ingredients, and Voila- you've got yourself my favorite cookie from Platine Cookies in Culver City.

Platine Cookies makes small delights that look and taste like the best batch from a friend's homemade recipe. Butter plays a prominent role in each baked good that Platine makes. It's amazing how something as simple as real, great butter, and it's ratio to salt, can dictate the wow-factor in a cookie. But it does!

 

 

Above is an image of my box of treats that I bought and devoured today.  My star cookie is in the far left, upper corner.  That Disco Ho Ho on the far right wasn't kidding around either.

As I was buying my goodies, the couple next to me said that Mary Steenburgen had recommend the bakery to them.  So there you go- Platine's Cookies is even celebrity approved! ;)

For more info on Platine's Cookies, click here. 

 

xoxo

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie

I can't stop thinking about this cookie!!!! More like "The Cookie," as my friend and I referred to it all weekend long. I accidentally stumbled into a Marie Callender's and discovered these rather large and intriguing chocolate chunk treats...

OOOhMyGAwwD, AMAZING.  Chewy and buttery in the center with sumptuous chocolate chunks, slightly firm and well cooked edges, the perfect balance of flavors, a mouthful of perfection, I can't can't even think straight! All weekend long my friend and I worked through our stack of cookies, gnawing on them for breakfast, during lunch, before dinner, and late night after our Saturday festivities.  "The Cookie" is the quintessential Chocolate Chip Cookie experience and a Golden Cherry winner at that. Congratulations Marie Callender's! 

 

 

For more information on Marie Callender's, click here. 

 

The BEST Cupcakes in LA Thanks to Bacon Cheddar Magic

GLORY HALLELUJAH! I had not one, but two mind blowing cupcakes from Frosted Cupcakery today. My mind quite literally checked out the door as I momentarily floated to Heaven, bathed in a daze of delicious wonder.

I've always loved Frosted, as you may recall from this 5-cherry posting here.  But today's experience with the Vanilla/Vanilla cupcake filled with Pumpkin Ice-cream and the Bacon Cheddar Corn Cake with Vanilla frosting, has officially escalated Frosted Cupcakery to Golden Cherry status.  This is not to take away from the 2009 Winner, Yummy Cupcakes, which is fabulous in its own right. It's simply to say that this year, Frosted Cupcakery has come through for me time and time again with perfect cupcakes. They're never dry, dense, bland, or overly sweet.  Instead, they're light, bouncy, flavorful, and delicious. Indeed, Frosted Cupcakery makes the quintessential cupcakes.  

 

and now for today's insanely delicious and unique cupcake samples...the Vanilla with Pumpkin ice-cream filling...

and the Bacon Cheddar Corncake with Vanilla frosting..

MMmmmmm, I want more....!

the best cupcakes in LA

For more information on Frosted Cupcakery, click here. 

Best Ice-Cream at Baskin-Robbins

Baskin-Robbins is more than just childhood in my mouth, it's the quintessential ice-cream. Many ice-cream brands have played serious roles in my life: Dreyer's in the home fridge, Buds after school (just down the street), Häagen-Dazs after the dentist (er, also just down the street, sorry doc.), and Ben & Jerry's in college (right by the factory). None of these other brands, however, encapsulate joy quite like walking into a Baskin Robbins, where scoops of ice-cream sport happy clown faces with cone hats and pink spoons and polka-dots abound.  

 

With 31 traditional and idiosyncratic flavors, there's something for everyone and every memory. Dad's Pralines and Cream, Mom's Jamoca Almond Fudge, my brother's Mint Chip, and I was Rainbow Sherbet and Bubble Gum as a kid (when gum was strictly forbidden in my house), Gold Medal Ribbon in middle school, and Light Cappuccino Chip for life. 

 

 

I don't extol the virtues of Baskin-Robbin's ice-cream simply for nostalgia's sake.  In addition to the colorful joy of this all-American brand, the ice-cream is downright delicious. BR ice-cream boasts the perfect consistency (not too packed like Häagen-Dazs, not too fluffy like Breyers), the perfect chunkyness (not intrusive like Ben & Jerry's hunks, not minimal like Dreyer's) and finally, the perfect flavor (not too mild, not too intense).  

Honestly, eating this tasty ice-cream and reading their history here, well... it's enough to make me proud to be an American.~

 

 

Apple Pie at Swingers Diner

  

La la la la LaaAAaaaAaa!!!

Golden Cherry desserts always make me want to sing it from the roof-tops! This Apple Pie from Swingers Diner on Beverly Blvd could not have been more succulent if it tried to be. Oooohmygosh- the apples were not sassy, tart and firm, nor were they saccharine sweet and mushy, but rather, they were demure in their simple Perfection.  

The crust was the most remarkable aspect of this tasty dessert, and I'm not even a crust girl! The warm, buttery layers literally melted in my mouth and could almost stand alone, earning freshly-baked cookie-status.  

And look at that heaping scoop of ice-cream on the side! Yet, this is the first and only Apple Pie I've ever consumed that was so delicious it didn't even need ice-cream or whipped cream.  That, my friends, is the true sign of a Golden Cherry worthy Apple Pie.  Mmmmmm.  I ate the whole thing in T minus two minutes.

 

For more info on Swingers Diner and their other locations, click here. 

To see my thoughts on their great cupcakes, click here.

To see my thoughts on their awesome milkshakes, click here. :-9

 

Butterscotch Budino at MOZZA Pizzaria

OhmyGaaawd. Are you kidding me? I'm swooning, buzzing, flushing and all around basking in the glow of my first Budino experience at the famed Italian restaurant, MOZZA, off Highland and Melrose. 

What is Budino, you wonder? Great question. Budino is the Italian word for pudding. Alas, it's not just any pudding! It's Italian, velvety pudding with fresh cream, dynamic flavors and surely, a dash of aphrodisiac-dust.

Mozza's budino starts with a feathery smooth butterscotch pudding that's slightly burnt in flavor for a scarcely bitter touch that gets counteracted by a top layer of sweet, buttery caramel sauce, so fresh you can detect every simple and natural ingredient in it. A sprinkle of Maldon sea salt adds further dimension for a trio of bitter, sweet, and salty tastes.  Finally, a dallop of creme fresh helps calm the bold flavors below it, and together the layers perfectly harmonize like Pavarotti and Friends at the Vatican.

But we are not done! No my friends, the genius chef at Mozza accompanies this dessert with delicious rosemary pine nut cookies.  I thought these were little random and quixotic afterthoughts, until the waiter instructed me to eat them with a spoonful of pudding.  Holy Halelluja!  These shortbread cookies escalate the experiences from a 5-Cherry one to a Golden Cherry event.  

Wooowee, I'm a little excited here.  Add a bottle of wine and a hot date with this budino and you'd be in for one special night!

 

 For more info on Mozza Pizzeria, click here.

Stay tuned to see my upcoming thoughts on Mozza's Olive Oil gelato!

 

Banana Pudding at Magnolia Bakery

As promised here, I'm finally going share the dreaminess that is the Banana Pudding at Magnolia Bakery in Los Angeles. Now, I've had the Banana Pudding with Nilla Wafer cookies just down the street at TOAST on 3rd street (see review here), and I can assure you that these two desserts are worlds apart.  

Unlike the impenetrably thick pudding at Toast with dry Nilla wafers, The Banana Pudding from Magnolia is smoothly whipped and well blended with soft, soaked cookie crumbles and ripe banana bits. The creamy whipped dreaminess suggests hints of pure vanilla and condensed milk that oddly enough, yield flavors reminiscent of raw cookie dough, my absolute favorite concoction on earth. Mmmm, while Banana Pudding might not normally be my first pic on a dessert menu, this batch makes me think otherwise. A Golden Cherry Honoree all the way!

For more info on Magnolia Bakery, click here.

 

 

Deluscious Cookies

 I'd heard legendary things about Deluscious Cookies and now I know why: it's thanks to a little mound called "Chocolate Decadence," or the "Crack Cookie," as my girlfriends nicknamed it tonight. A slightly crispy, powdered-sugar shell gives way to a soft center that's fudgy-cakey-melted truffle-crumbly cookie all on in one!  Truly, there isn't a single word that can describe this thing other than "insane." 

In addition to the "Chocolate Decadence," we enjoyed oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, and sugar cookies, which yielded varying responses. Some loved the sugar cookie while other's preferred the oatmeal raisin. We all agreed that the chocolate chip cookie was a bit too similar to the ones we make at home, and well, when you pay over 3 bucks for a cookie, you want it to be pretty spectacular.

But why dwell on such details when we have a Golden Cherry in our mist?!  Congrats to Deluscious on your amazing creation!

For more info on how to order Deluscious cookies online, click here. 

the Chocolate Decadance

 
  

Triple Layer Chocolate Mousse Cake at Coral Tree Cafe

Woo Woo! Golden Cherry alert! 

As uncommon as it is, I've actually had a few a triple layer chocolate mousse cakes in my day.  None, however, have Tickled-me-Delighted the way this gorgeous creation from Coral Tree Cafe at the Century City Mall did.  WoooooWeeee, my friend and I swooned over this light but flavorful cake that tasted unique with its varying textures.   A thin, but rich, chocolate coating encased a smooth chocolate mouse, which floated above a light layer of foamy, vanilla cream. Finally, a sturdy foundation of chocolate cake kept everything in line from the bottom.

My friend loved this cake so much she pondered making it her wedding cake!  Congratulations to The Coral Tree Cafe! You just earned yourself a Golden Cherry :)

For more info on The Coral Tree Cafe, click here. 

 

 

Caramelitas from Paula LeDuc Fine Catering

I just came home to the most amazing amazingness awaiting me in a Fed-Ex box.  I opened the lovely package from Paula LeDuc Fine Catering, one of the companies I interviewed for my wedding, and discovered her home-made "Caramelitas."  

Caramelitas, if you were wondering, are described as "oatmeal and brown sugar crust topped with almonds, chocolate chips, and caramel." In short.. Heaven.  

Since I inhaled almost every single bar already, I must award these treats the Golden Cherry. Woo, Paula LeDuc Catering.. you are now in the lead! (Anyone else care to challenge? Ha ;)

For more information on Paula LeDuc Fine Catering in N.Cal, click here. 

Yogurtland

                    

If you're anything like me, you went through a MASSIVE frozen yogurt phase (also known known as Fro-yo). In fact, one of my daily highlights in school was discovering what new flavors the cafeteria was serving.. Ha!  

I've since discarded the soft stuff in exchange for real ice-cream.  However, there is one frozen yogurt joint that still makes my eyes sparkle.  This magical haven is Yogurtland, a fro-yo chain that not only has the most delicious frozen yogurt EVER, but also features 16 flavors at a time that you get to self-serve, as well as an incredible array of toppings that (wait for it.. ) you get to SELF SERVE!  (How much do we love self-serving? We love it.. a lot)

With fat and sugar-free options for yogurt and healthy fruit and nut toppings avail, you can make this stop as "healthy" or as naughty as you like (But! if you're like me.. you walk out with 8 different flavors packed in a cup, standing at a foot tall. Heh heh,  what can I say, I'm the Dessert Darling!).

Yogurtland wins the coveted Golden Cherry for best frozen yogurt stop, hands down!

For more info on Yogurtland and a location near you, click here.

Gianna's Sugar Cookies

MMMMMMMmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMmmmmmMMMMMMMMMM~~

Gianna's makes THE best iced sugar cookies.  Handmade with natural, organic ingredients, each bite is a dip into sweet, buttery, and childlike joy.  

Don't let the fact that you can find these delectable treats in a grocery store fool you into thinking that they're ordinary cookies.  They are actually superior to any gifted cookie basket I've ever experienced.  

For more info on Gianna's, click here and check out all the other delicious treats that you can order online! Mmmm~

 
 
 

Carrot Cake Cupcake at The Farm

I debated long and hard about awarding the Golden Cherry to this carrot cake cupcake.  It's such a prestigious honor (heh ;). I can't just dole it out willy-nilly to any absurdly delicious treat that I consume.

That said, I've tasted my share of carrot cakes and the cupcake from The Farm of Beverly Hills (with now two other locations in LA) has consistently made me melt into a puddle of joy.  It's truly a phenomenal cup of carrot cake.  With chunky walnut bits, shaved carrots, what looks to be shaved zucchini bits, delicious spices and the perfect cream-cheese frosting, I can't not give this treat the ultimate rating.  

Don't let the sad little carrot design on the icing fool you, this is a Golden Cherry treasure!

For more info on The Farm, click . 

 

 

Bountiful Desserts

We all know the Farmer's Market is great for fresh fruits and vegetables, but who knew I'd find the most amazing desserts amongst the rows of vegetation too?

Denise Assad of Bountiful Desserts has the most exciting stand with her array of freshly made treats that include her famous carrot cake (perfectly spiced), old-fashioned double chocolate layer cake (divine), Banana cream pie (so fresh you'd swear she has banana tree in her yard) and brownies so unbelievably out-of-this-world magnificent, that they earn the highest honor with the Golden Cherry (see below).  

When Denise lost her job as a designer, she used what money she had to sell her baked goods to the parents at her son's pre-school.  One year later, her desserts have become so popular that she now supports her child with the treats she makes from scratch, using her grandmother's tin recipe box.  What a sweet tale :) 

Chocolate-Caramel Brownie Puddle

 

OhmyGawd, this divine creation tangos with your tastebuds as it melts in your mouth. An outer shell of chocolate brownie envelopes a gooey, chewy, chunky center that's laced with a hint of salty-sweet caramel.  This caramel touch so enhances the experience, one learns cleary, it is the missing ingredient in other, more mundane cocoa bars. Not even my mom's brownies compare to this cosmic concoction (sorry Mom! Love you).

For more info on Bountiful Desserts click here. 

       

 

Yummy Cupcakes

Watch out World! Your Dessert Darling just had THE best cupcake her teeth have ever sunk into! It was called "Happy Day" from Yummy Cupcakes bakery and Oh happy day it was! Actually, I've had a bit of a trying day, but that cupcake just turned everything around for me.

I walked into the darling bakery, a cool repose from the sweltering Burbank heat, and was immediately delighted by the colorful display of pastel cupcakes that had an elegant unity while still maintaining a freshly baked feel. Furthermore, the bakery boasts a little shop to the side that features items such as adorable cup-cake patterned aprons, baking mitts, chef hats, and the Jaqua line of bath and body fragrances (if you're not familiar, they smell Delish!) 

This place meant Business! I could only imagine what the cakes would taste like. I now had high expectations and anything sub-delightful would sorely disappoint. I purchased the Happy Day (how could I not with a name like that?) which was a vanilla cake baked with rainbow sprinkles, and vanilla buttercream frosting. My first bite transported me to a heavenly place which I still have yet to leave. 

Next, I had the red velvet cake, which they claim is their most popular, along with the chocolate. While both were equally spectacular, my loyalties lingered on the Happy Day, so in comparison, I found the cream cheese frosting to be slightly salty next to the plain buttercream. 

 With flavors like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Brown Sugar Cinnamon,  Buttered Popcorn (!), and even a Vegan cupcake that looked tempting, I can't wait to go back to "Yummy Cupcakes" and try more! 

Ranging from $2.75-$3.50 a pop, these designer cakes are worth every penny for the divine experience. To impress and delight, I'd recommend these treats for any and every event. You must check out their extensive menu of unique flavors as well as the various size options for your party platters!

For more info on Yummy Cupcakes, click here. 

Happy Day (below)

A Delicious trio to try! (below)

John Kelly Chocolates

MMMmmmmmmm

MMMMMMMMMMM

OHmyGod, YES!

Mmmmmmmmmm

This is how I can best describe John Kelly "chocolates." I put "chocolates" in quotations because to put these heavenly creations in the same category as Hersheys, Nestles, or any other run of the mill cocoa treat, would be like saying Meryl Streep and Lauren Conrad are both "actresses."

To be fair, John Kelly calls his treats "Truffle Fudge Bites."  How well put Mr. Kelly.  A thin layer of hard chocolate envelopes a mound of divine, melt in your mouth, flavorful, not quite truffle- not quite fudge, dreaminess that is so mind-blowing, it converts even the haters.  

The "Dark Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt" has that sweet and salty combo that has made chocolate covered pretzels and chips so popular of late, and the "Chocolate with Walnuts" melted in my mouth like eating my mom's homemade brownie mix before it hit the oven.

Hats off to John Kelly.. I've never tasted chocolate so seductive as your's.  You put a spell on me~

Click here for more info on John Kelly Chocolates