The Sweetest Treats Taking Over Instagram
Perhaps it’s that Halloween is looming, or maybe it’s just the plethora of pumpkin-spiced desserts in the air. Whatever the reason, dessert is top of mind these days. For those of you who travel for food — or just dream about it — we’ve found some Instagram-worthy delicacies across the country that you will totally eat up.
The Cronut - New York City
Photo: @dominiqueansel/Instagram
Since its New York debut in May 2013, chef Dominique Ansel’s croissant-donut hybrid has made news around the world, leaving hordes of fans and Internet attention in its wake. The SoHo shop commands lengthy lines of people who queue up hours before the doors even open in the morning. In addition to an inspired flavor of the month (October’s is Pumpkin Chai), Ansel has created signature pastries such as the Cookie Shot and the Pretzel Lobster Tail, a peanut-butter butter-crunch soft pretzel sprinkled with Maldon sea salt and accompanied by a brown butter-whipped honey dipping sauce. We want to be at this bakery, and we want to be there now.
Related: WATCH: Beyond the Cronut – Tasting New York Chef Dominique Ansel’s Latest Creation
Boston Cream Pie at the Omni Park House Hotel - Boston
Photo: @joobersz/Instagram
No surprise, the Boston cream pie originated in Boston and is also the official state dessert of Massachusetts. It made its debut as “chocolate cream pie” at the Omni Park House in 1856. If you’re going to eat this chocolate-frosted, custard-stuffed, two-layer cake, you may as well try it where it all started. If you just have to have it right now, the Omni Hotels website even provides the original recipe.
Georgetown Cupcake - Washington, D.C.
Photo: @kevmasse/Instagram
You may know sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne from the hit TLC series DC Cupcakes. This duo opened up shop in 2008, and despite some serious Georgetown rivals, Georgetown Cupcake considers itself D.C.’s first and only “cupcakery.” Their portable treats boast the perfect ratio of frosting to cake, and they look flawless on Instagram, even the vegan version.
Related: https://www.yahoo.com/travel/living-the-sweet-life-the-best-desserts-in-the-country-89899318267.html
Cider Donuts From the Franklin Cider Mill - Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Photo: @seijabedard/Instagram
Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is neither a major city nor a tourist destination, but the donuts from the Franklin Cider Mill are out of this world and worth the trip. They are made fresh daily from an old German recipe and served hot. Wash them down with freshly pressed, crisp apple cider or a cider slushy. The Cider Mill is open only from Labor Day weekend through Thanksgiving, so hurry on over.
Graeter’s Ice Cream - Cincinnati
Photo: @adriannagiuls/Instagram
Louis Graeter began selling ice cream at a Cincinnati street market in 1868. Now, his famous frozen dessert can be found all over the United States and can even be shipped right to your doorstep. If you’re in Cincinnati, it’s worth stopping by one of the original Graeter’s shops for the signature best-selling flavor, Black Raspberry Chocolate, a perfect work-around if you battle the fruit vs. chocolate dilemma.
Beignets at Café Du Monde - New Orleans
Photo: @joythebaker/Instagram
The original Café Du Monde, located in the French Market in New Orleans, is the perfect snack stop any hour of the day. Established in 1862, the shop is now open 24/7 (except on Christmas Day and during particularly bad hurricanes) and serves up old-school New Orleans in the form of hot, greasy beignets, accompanied by dark-roast chicory coffee. For those unfamiliar with this little pillow of heaven, a beignet is simply a square piece of dough, fried and covered — and we mean covered — with powdered sugar. Get a plate of them, and don’t plan on sharing.
Related: Your “Golden Ticket” to the World’s Sweetest Candy Shops
Pecan Pie at PieLab - Greensboro, Ala.
Photo: @kbrosich/Instagram
According to Bon Appétit, PieLab in Greensboro, Ala., is one of the top 10 best places in the United States to eat pie. Given that the state nut of Alabama is the pecan, it only makes sense to sample the pecan pie. If you’re not a pecan person, try a slice of lemon or chocolate chess pie. You can also feel good about indulging: PieLab donates its profits to Hale Empowerment & Revitalization Organization (HERO), which provides housing and disaster resources to Hale County residents.
Diddy Riese Cookies Ice Cream Sandwich - Los Angeles
Photo: @jawkneeand/Instagram
While Diddy Riese Cookies sells both cookies and ice cream, it’s the combination of the two that make this shop a Los Angeles favorite. Candy cookie with butter pecan ice cream? Chocolate chip walnut cookie with rocky road ice cream? Peanut butter cookie with strawberry ice cream (a modern twist on the PB&J)? The world is your ice cream sandwich! The Westwood shop offers a plethora of cookie options and Dreyer’s ice cream flavors at affordable prices. Prepare yourself for a wave of jealousy-induced Instagram “likes” and cheap thrills for only 35 cents a cookie.
Related: The Full Scoop on the Greatest Cities For Ice Cream in America
Baked Goods at Tartine Bakery - San Francisco
Photo: @avie_bird/Instagram
The fact that Tartine Bakery & Café owners Elisabeth Prueitt and husband Chad Robertson won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef should be reason enough to stop by on your next trip to San Francisco. If you need more convincing, try searching #tartinebakery on Instagram, or take a look at their impressive menu. Pain au chocolat and tres leches cake? Yes, please.
Voodoo Doughnuts - Portland, Ore.
Photo: @96pcss/Instagram
Doughnuts are so in right now that they’re the cupcakes of 2014. Portland’s Voodoo Doughnut serves up crazy creations like the Captain my Captain (covered in Cap’n Crunch cereal), the Memphis Mafia (fried with banana chunks and cinnamon, covered in a chocolate-frosting glaze, and sprinkled with peanut butter, peanuts, and chocolate chips), and the Arnold Palmer (plain cake with vanilla frosting and lemonade/ice tea dust). Once your Instagram followers figure out what the heck you’re eating, the “likes” will pile up faster than you can order an Ain’t That a Peach Fritter.
WATCH: Dominique Ansel Talks Newest Dessert Creation
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