Top 10 desserts from 2023
Wow, 2023 has come to an end! Let's wrap it up with a sugary sweet ribbon. I visit many places throughout the year, and it's really fun to remind myself which desserts are the standouts.
Here is a list of my favorite Top 10 desserts from 2023.
Number 10
Number 9
Let’s start with classic treat, coming in at number 10 is the Chocolate Chip Cookie from The Mud House located in the Cherokee Street District. That covers it if you live in south city, let’s head north to florissant. My number 9 pick is the Fruit Scones from Made. By Lia. When Justin and I spend the night at my in-law's house, we usually wake up and visit Made. By Lia for coffee and treats. Their menu is full of great options. I love the cherry hand pie and the bacon quiche. Justin is a big fan of their GF/V donuts, the chocolate and cinnamon flavors. And we both LOVE not just like the Honey Cinnamon Maccaoio (make sure you give it a good stir). But this year, we both discovered the SCONES! Lemon poppyseed is in the spring, strawberry is in the summer, and blueberry is before the autumn season swings in. My favorite was the strawberry scone, but any flavor is a real standout treat.
Number 8
Number 7
Number 6
A FAMILY FAVORITE
Number 5 on my list is my cousin's take on our Grandmother's pound cake recipe. I love a classic country pound cake. Once a year, we head south to my family's home in Mississippi. For this year's Thanksgiving holiday, all the cousins agreed to help with the dinner, potluck style! My cousin Natalie made pound cake from scratch using our Grandma Alice's recipe. And Natalie, if you are reading this, YOUR CAKE WAS AMAZING! I certainly went back for seconds. I have not found the joy of baking, but I delight in eating good cake, and this was some good cake!
Number 4
Number 3
Number 4 on my list is the Molasses Rumchata Sammie's from Pint Size Bakery. This seasonal flavor hit me in the tastebuds this year. Pint Size always offers cookie sammies throughout the year, and they are such delicious tasting cookies I recommend sampling all of the different options throughout the year; however, if I could only choose one above all others, it's the Molasses Rumchata. The texture of these sandwich cookies is perfect. The cookies are soft and chewy, and the cream filling is light and sweet. Together, they make the perfect bite; and my world, if only for a moment, is perfect.
Next on my list is the Ramadan Box from Mithai STL. I highly recommend Mithai STL. Ayesha is the creator of this brand and she is all about serving fusion desserts. A blend of Indian flavors in western desserts. I picked up this dessert box to share with friends over the weekend at the lake. We all had fantastic things to say about every treat in the box! My personal favorite was the Rooh Afza Chois Bun (the pink one). This box was Ramadan-themed. Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting and prayer, observed by many Muslims worldwide. I do not observe Ramadan, but I appreciate Ayesha sharing her culture through desserts. Food is one of my favorite aspects of culture, and it was nice to enjoy this box of sampled desserts with Indian flavors.
Sourdough at it’s best
I've been enjoying Knead's Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls for years. This year, I could not get enough of their cinnamon rolls. Apparently, I've got a sweet tooth for rolls this year!
Check out my blog post from 2020 about one of my first visits to Knead.
Number 1
Breakfast But as a doughnut!
Where do I start? Okay, let’s start with my dreams. I daydream about the french toast donut from Vincent Van Doughnut. I remember the taste, the texture, and the smell. The french toast flavor from the shop is a must-have. I usually don't go for donuts with nuts, but these walnuts make this sweet donut extra delicious. A good donut needs great texture and chew, and I loved every bite!!! 🧡
That's 2023 for me! I’m lucky to have the privilege to enjoy all of these fantastic desserts. I applaud the staff and creative teams at these shops and bakeries. Their work makes living in St. Louis a delight and it is a pleasure to support these small businesses.
