A product called “Vitatops” doesn't necessarily sound like a delicious thing but, to my surprise, these microwavable muffin tops were pretty tasty. At 100 calories each, they make a much more reasonable dessert than most, fat belly (aka muffin top) wise. Fresh Direct now carries these.
Desserts »Deep Chocolate Vita Tops
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Desserts »La Stella Communion Chocolate Assortment
One of the joys of living in Greenpoint is that you can pass by a shop and see this pastel and flower surrounded little angel (who will, no doubt be blaring club music and revving his engine in a few years time) staring back at you enticing you to buy chocolates for… communion? (having no ability to read Polish nor much knowledge about Catholicism, that's just a guess).
It's really just a shell hiding a normal box of “La Stella” chocolates, but I have to say, in a world of increasingly more elaborate and expensive options, a six dollar box that holds a nicely bitter pistachio creme candy is a welcome treat.
See more: Desserts Candy Greenpoint Polish
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Posted on May 4, 2009
Desserts »Caffarel
My coworker Sarafina is always getting holiday care packages from home, stuffed with thrilling little goodies that she's generous enough to share. This Easter bestowed the beautifully packaged chocolate eggs from Caffarel, a company founded in 1826 in the Piedmont region of Italy.
We spent some time with an Italian to English translation widget to learn the flavors: mandorla (almond), torroncino (nougat), gianduja (hazelnut & chocolate paste); I finally decided on mandoria which was rich with a hint of marzipan sweetness.
See more: Desserts Cookies Italian
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Posted on April 27, 2009
Desserts »3400 Phinney Chocolate
This tasty bar of “bread and dark chocolate” called Phinney 3400 comes from Theo, a company devoted to making the world better. According to their site, they do this by:
Using only pure ingredients that are grown sustainably. We source our ingredients locally whenever possible.
Partnering with our growers by ensuring they earn a living wage and have access to education for their families.
Honoring and respecting our employees and suppliers. This is possible due to the unique fact that we control every step of our own manufacturing process.
Using green energy sources to power our factory.
Using sustainable packaging and printing methods.
Educating about social and environmental accountability 7 days a week through public tours of our artisan factory.
Available at Whole Foods, the chocolate is excellent. Aside from the crispy bready flavor, which tastes like a less crispy and much better Kit Kat, we oohed and aahed over their mild Coconut Curry Milk Chocolate.
Since then, two new flavors have emerged: Fig, Fennel & Almond Dark Chocolate and Hazelnut Crunch Milk Chocolate, yummm!
See more: Desserts Candy Earth Day
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Posted on April 20, 2009
Desserts »Red Mango
With Spring being a wet, gray joke of a season thus far, we New Yorkers tend to go ape any day the weather even remotely resembles the traditional Springtime sunshine and blooming flowers of our collective fantasies. On a recent bizarro 60 degree afternoon, nestled between days with lows in the 20s, I decided to pretend that Spring had finally arrived in earnest and headed over to Red Mango for some frozen yogurt.
To be honest, I can't tell much of a difference between their green tea flavor and that of their competitors, and a scoop is always costs more than I expect, but I was thrilled with the option of adding a little scoop of that great sugary cereal, Cap'n Crunch (though no crunch berries, sadly) to the mix. The combo was surprisingly delicious and I couldn't have felt any happier as I walked down the street with the yogurt slowly melting in my hands.
See more: Desserts Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt West Village
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Posted on April 13, 2009
Desserts »Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Frosting
In case I don't mention it enough, I have really great friends! Mike, who has been a huge blog help these last couple weeks, made my birthday-cake dreams come true (I heart vanilla/vanilla!) with a couple of cups of sugar and 2 sticks of butter topped with fresh strawberries and store-bought romantic red roses made of that weirdly yummy plasticy stuff.
Here's his recipe, which comes from Magnolia. Make sure to share the cake itself with as many people as you can, Jim and I felt like decadent fatties with the leftovers in our fridge, though it was fun to stretch my birthday treat (and birthday tummy) for a few more days.
See more: Desserts Cakes Homemade
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Posted on April 6, 2009
Desserts »Dunkin Donuts Kreme
Look I may not be the skinniest miniest in the room but I'm no orca and to be honest, it's kind of amazing considering the stuff I used to eat. Dunkin Donuts features these tasty treats called Kremes : take one powdered sugar donut and stuff it full of really, really sugary icing. I used to eat two, count them two of these for breakfast as a teen. Good lord..
I decided, despite the possibly hairy eyeballs from kids who thought I was betraying my beloved Peter Pan Bakery, (recently endorsed by Liz Lemon) to head over to the local Dunkin that displaced Greenpoint's only good Thai spot a few years back and try this treat once again. The adorable polish kid who (as I overheard), was nice enough to take Anna's shift yet again, informed me that there was only one left. I am lucky, because according to bloggers, some states have discontinued the vanilla kreme indefinitely.
Apparently a three hundred and forty calorie breakfast bound to give you cavities is a local favorite. It wasn't quite as stuffed with icing as I had remembered as a kid, I blame the economy and Dunkin cutting corners, but despite a cry of protest from my tummy, I have to say, it was still good in a very, very guilty way.
See more: Desserts Baked Goods Donuts Fast Food
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Posted on March 30, 2009
Desserts »Blue Stove
Just next door to Fanny is Blue Stove, a bright and airy bakery run by a friend of a friend (a lovely slave to the stove named Rachel) offering an array of home baked pies in unique and classic flavors like pecan (with an excellent sweet cream topping), cherry, key lime, and blackberry mousse. Just like Fanny, it's situation in a slightly less traveled section of Williamsburg makes it feel more like a secret spot frequented by in-the-know locals rather than a passing trend.
There's no static menu, you're limited to ordering only what has sparked the baker's fancy, but I can promise (now having sampled three little pies, which was the perfect amount for a four guest dinner party) that everything is absolutely top notch. Before the bakery moved in to this adorable space with its a peekaboo pantry, black and white tile floors, beautifully aged pressed tin, and homemade welcome sign, the baker would take orders and deliver pies to those with a sweet tooth for fresh baked goods, building up a quite a reputation among those who prefer their pies without a lot of artificial junk.
We loved the pies we grabbed to go, but there's an array of large tables should you prefer your sweet to stay with a cup of coffee or tea.
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Posted on March 23, 2009
Desserts »Mascarpone Cheesecake with Balsamic Strawberries
II was lucky enough to have two — count them, two — home made cakes for my birthday (you'll hear all about the other next week). The first was a welcome surprise at work: a Mascarpone Cheesecake with Balsamic Strawberries that Sarafina made from scratch! The cake itself is miles away from the typical store bought variety. Marscapone makes a significant difference compared to cream cheese and the mellowed strawberries with a balsamic bite match perfectly. Add to that a crust made from crushed up biscotti, and , well you can imagine.
I'm not a skilled enough baker to attempt this, but here's a recipe for you.
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Posted on March 16, 2009
Desserts »Calpis Ice Bar
I grabbed these little ice pops, called mysteriously Calpis Ice Bars, in the frozen section of Mitsuwa Market because the idea of a sweet milk ice sounded great. Well, I am so happy to report that Calpis Ice Bars are better than great. They're stupendous and I am crazy about them.
The mild taste is hard to explain, kind of like a buttermilk sorbet. Not too sweet with a hint of acidity, it's so yummy that I feel like my craving for them once the box is finished (which is bound to be tonight after I write this) will drive me to make another trek into New Jersey to get them soon.
Calpis, by the way, is an non-carbonated drink popular in Japan and over the world. Apparently a version called Calpico is even distributed in the US.