A sugar fiend's favorite desserts.
By Shoshana Greenberg (lyricist/bookwriter)
If you have spent any time with me, you know that I'm a sugar fiend. If there is a baked good somwhere in the vicinity, I must find a way to eat it. I consider Cookie Monster my soulmate.
Can you blame me? I grew up in a family bakery where I was given free rein. I could walk into the store and eat whatever I wanted. That does stuff to a kid.
Since I'm ALWAYS thinking about baked goods, I thought I'd share some of my favorite desserts from New York City area bakeries with a few additions from the family bakery, Mindy's Desserts, outside Philadelphia. I'm no connoisseur, but I think it's safe to take advice from someone who always has sugar on the brain.
Pie
Fun fact: my first word was "pie." My sugar addiction started early. My favorite pie is a toss-up between two pies from the family: Key Lime and Peach with Hamantaschen Crust. Word to the wise: If you ever see a pie made with Hamantaschen Crust, sample it immediately.
Key Lime Pie from Mindy's Desserts
Cake
Another fact: All cake is good. But I want to highlight a unique cake that appeared one day in my office: the Pizza Crumb Cake from Hummel-Hummel Bakery on Long Island. It's served in an actual pizza box and tastes like a buttery funnel cake with the texture of a flakey pastry. Hopefully one will appear in your office, too.
Pizza Crumb Cake from Hummel-Hummel Bakery
Cupcake
The cupcake wars are over and the victor is Baked By Melissa. I know, I know, they're small. But they're dense. Plus, you don't have to choose! Since they're so small, a bunch of flavors add up to one regular cupcake (at least that's what I tell myself). It's hard to pick a favorite, but if pressed I'll say the Tie-Dye. Or the Chocolate Chip Pancake...
Baked by Melissa Cupcakes
Gotta go with the family recipe again on this one. Mindy's Desserts' Chinese Cookie is by far the best cookie I have ever eaten. I may be biased, but I think once you try it you'll agree. Vanilla swirled with fudge chocolate. It's so thick it's like eating the fine line between cookie and cake. And it's dairy free!
Chinese Cookies from Mindy's Desserts
Non-Baked Good Dessert
In case you weren't aware, heaven on earth is located in Magnolia Bakery's Banana Pudding. Fresh bananas in creamy pudding with crispy vanilla wafer cookies mixed in. Words do not do it justice. Just eat it.
Banana Pudding from Magnolia Bakery
SHOSHANA GREENBERG writes musicals, plays, and prose. http://about.me/shoshanagreenberg
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