New York, NY :: Dessert Darling

Archive for New York, NY

Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery

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Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

(Sigh) I’ll be honest, I’ve been avoiding this review for a while. That’s what happens when you meet the owners of an establishment and they’re nice to you! Alas, the truth had to come out eventually…. Magnolia Cupcakes… are not good. There- I said it. The frosting is both extraordinarily sweet and bland while the cake is often times dry.

Furthermore, horror of all horrors, they don’t even use cream cheese frosting on their (hyper) Red Velvet cupcakes! Instead, it’s a marshmallowy whipped vanilla icing. My friend’s birthday had both Hansen’s Cakes Cupcakes (on the left below) and Magnolia Cupcakes (on the right).

Look how artificially red the Magnolia’s cupcake is!

Everyone agreed that Hansen’s made a way better red velvet (I mean, it’s really no competition when you don’t even have cream cheese frosting!)

On a positive note, I love Magnolia’s slightly smaller size and wonderful frosting to cake ratio. They also make a phenomenal Banana Pudding!

For more information on Magnolia Bakery, click here.

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Trader Joe’s Almondictive Bits- Caramelized Almond Morsles covered in Dark Chocolate

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)

Friday, May 4th, 2012

At one of the birthdays I attended this weekend I encountered Trader Joe’s Almondictive Bits, a TJ’s treat that I had strategically been avoiding. I mean, come on! They tell you right there on the tub that you are going to eat the whole thing at once and wallow in misery over your lack of self control and growing love handles! Or something like that. So alas, there they were, right in front of me.. and since they’re Almonds (healthy) and Dark Chocolate (healthy too!), I dove right into these tempting treats. One thing I applaud TJ’s for- they don’t have false advertising. These delicious, caramelized almond morsels covered in chocolate were indeed, addicting.

However, these Cookies & Cream Almonds that were also at the party were sweet, chalky rubbish.. even if they were made in California.

For more info on Trader Joe’s, click here.

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Chocolate Zuccotto Cake from Maggiano’s Little Italy

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Sunday, April 29th, 2012

This weekend I ate enough desserts to sustain me for two weeks worth of posts! Yowza- it was a Serious sugar-showdown. Let’s start with this Chocolate Zuccotto Cake from Maggiano’s. If you’re wondering what the heck a Zuccotto is, it’s basically a chilled cake with alcohol (traditionally brandy), mousse or ice cream layers, and is made into the shape of Florence’s famous dome, the “duomo”.

I couldn’t wait to slice into this impressive mound of a dessert!

Just look at those heavenly layers- so much cake to consume!

This Zuccotto had a rich chocolate flavor deepened by the distinctly licorice liquor, Sambuca. I enjoyed the fun and playful consistencies of the cake and mousse, but the thick and slightly rubbery chocolate encapsulating the cake didn’t harmonize with the soft and bouncy layers inside. If you’re a chocolate fanatic though, you’ll surely love this dessert.

For more info on Maggiano’s Little Italy, click here.

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Mini Chocolate Creme Eggs by Lindt and “Cadbury” (er, Kraft)

By Dessert Darling · Comments (5)

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

First off, I must give a very enthusiastic 5-cherries to Lindt Lindor Truffles’ White Chocolate Eggs. They could not be more creamy, dreamy, melty delicious. White chocolate can be incredibly difficult to pull off, but Lindt does a supreme job here. Like the larger Lindt truffle balls, these little eggs have liquid goodness inside, but their smaller, egg shaped proportions make for a more delicious experience.

But Boo- the Mini Creme Eggs were complete rubbish. When I was a kid, having a Creme Egg in your lunch-box was the equivalent to being King of the World! I loved them more than life itself. Alas, the shells on these minis don’t even taste like real chocolate and the inside is just thick, pasty, sweet blah-ness. Boo. I can blame old age or Kraft, now that they took over dear old British Cadbury.

I blame Kraft.

How many Yummies can you spot above!?

Answer: 12- remember, the Creme Eggs were total rubbish.

What’s your favorite Easter treat?!?

XOOX

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Thinny Thursday: Eat Chocolate- Stay Thin with Hail Merry Macaroons

By Dessert Darling · Comments (3)

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Well Glory Hallelujah! Yet another scientific study that touts the merits of Chocolate! This study essentially states that those who eat chocolate on a regular basis are thinner than those who don’t, even though they do not eat fewer calories or exercise more. WOW! So THAT’s how I do it! Seriously, I eat chocolate every morning after breakfast since I’m not a coffee drinker.

In honor of this outstanding Thinny Thursday news, I’m sharing with you these raw, vegan, gluten-free Hail Merry Chocolate Macaroons to feed your fix in an even healthier way. Made without refined sugar, these delicious treats still boast dark cocoa for all your chocolate needs. They’re Sooooo delicious I ate the whole bag in one sitting. Oops.

For more information on Hail Merry, click here! (I found my bag in Whole Foods).

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Organic Rice Divine Carrot Cake Frozen Dessert- YUM

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Monday, March 19th, 2012

Love Ice Cream but avoiding dairy? Love Carrot Cake? Are you Vegan or Gluten Free? Well this glorious pint of Organic Rice Divine, Carrot Cake is just the treat for you then. I discovered this Good Karma treat in the frozen aisle of Whole Foods and it sat in my freezer for days before I finally caved in and tried it. The extremely flavorful and sweet dessert totally surprised and delighted me. Not only did the “ice cream” part sing of carrot cake, but also it contained actual chunks of carrot cake bites in there for fun texture. YUM. While dairy substitutes are never quite as creamy as the real deal, Rice Divine is still fantastic, thus earning itself a solid 4 cherries!

ps: I bet their Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge is amazing too!

For more info on Good Karma Foods, click here.

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Keylime Pie from Houston’s Restaurant

By Dessert Darling · Comments (4)

Monday, March 5th, 2012

The other night I had dinner at Houston’s with friends and asked the waitress to bring her favorite dessert. She returned with this impressive wedge of Keylime Pie (sorry that my photo is not impressive). Alas, the heaping scoop of whipped cream was utterly unsweetened and the pie itself tasted very mild. While the pie wasn’t “limey” enough for my friends, I could appreciate a more mellow interpretation of a traditionally zesty desert. Overall, it was an average but pleasant slice of pie.

For more information on Houston’s restaurants, click here.

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The BEST Chocolate Bar for your Dark Chocolate Fix

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Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

If you didn’t already know it, dark Chocolate is GOOD for you. And if you want some solid reasons why, here are nine of them from Everyday Health. Even before I had substantial proof of this glorious fact, I’ve been a firm believer in keeping the kitchen supplied with a token bar of chocolate- If not for everyday health, then at least for emergency’s sake. I’ve played around with my chocolate bar choices over the years, selecting whichever bar seemed to jump out or intrigue me the most on the Whole Foods shelves. There’ve been hits and misses and it’s high time that I share with you the absolute best bar that there is.

The #1 Chocolate Bar is……….(those dots are a drum roll)…… Dark Chocolate Quinoa- Midnight Crunch by Alter Eco Fair Trade!!!!

Sure there’re fancy little icons at the bottom of the bar signaling that they have a Zero Carbon Objective, it’s certified Fair Trade, and USDA organic- Also, on the back you learn its Free of GMOs (wohoo!), Gluten Free, No artificial Flavors, Vegan, Swiss Made etc! All feel good markers indeed, but really? This bar just tastes the best. :-9

For more info on Alter Eco Chocolate, click here.

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Top 3 Sexiest Chocolates for Valentine’s Day

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Monday, February 13th, 2012

Last week I gave you a comprehensive Valentine’s guide for any and everyone in your life (post here). But if you really want to get down and dirty with aphrodisiacs, then allow me to share with you the Top 3 Sexiest Chocolates I know!

1. ChocolatiQue

With sinfully gooey centers, colorful designs, and exotic flavors like Madagascar Vanilla Cola, Rum Runner’s Raisin, and Burnt Caramel (full list here), these titillating chocolates will surely excite your sweetie with a sweet tooth. Note: avoid the “donut” chocolates. Those are no bueno.

2. Kee’s Chocolates in SoHo, NY

These refined truffles are made by hand with top secret recipes and exotic ingredients from around the world (Yuzu from Japan, Saffron from Spain, Sea Salt from France). Creative and sophisticated options like Balsamic, Cognac, Jasmine, and a Valentine favorite, Black Rose, will pleasure even the most discerning connoisseur.

3. K Chocolatier

K Chocolatier uses as little sugar as possible in their pure and luxurious chocolates. Their fudge like truffles with whipped centers were Jackie O’s favorites (pictured below), but the K Liquors (Vodka Shots, Tequlia Shots, and Scotch Hiballs) will surely intoxicate your lover the most.