When you think of Brooklyn you probably think of the Brooklyn Bridge, the people, and of course, the pizza. But there’s so much more to Brooklyn. There’s the desserts. From old time classics, modern twists on your favorites and culturally diverse sweets, there’s something for everyone. Here are 13 essential desserts everyone must try when they’re in Brooklyn.
Cheesecake at Junior’s
If you look up cheesecake in the dictionary you’ll see a slice from Junior’s. The Flatbush Avenue landmark has been serving their heavenly, melt-in-your mouth cheesecake for over 50 years and the recipe hasn’t changed one little bit.
Not Hot Chocolate at the Chocolate Room
Warm weather can only mean one thing, it’s Not Hot season. The Chocolate Room’s frozen hot chocolate is available in Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate.
Key Lime Pie at Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies
These authentic key lime pies, that use only fresh squeezed key limes, not bottled mystery juice, will blow your mind.
Gino’s Italian Ices
Gino’s Italian Ices will take you on a trip down memory lane. The fresh, handmade Italian ices can be found in pizzerias and stores all over Brooklyn. If they don’t remind you of summer than you’re not from Brooklyn.
Sweet & Salty Brownie at Baked
BAKED Sweet & Salty Brownie was on the Food Network’s ‘The Best Thing I Ever Ate’ and if you’ve tried it then you know why.
Ice Cream Sandwich at The Good Batch
Baking goodness in Brooklyn since 2010, these handcrafted ice cream sandwiches will fill your craving for sweets. On any given day, they have 5-7 ice cream sandwich flavors available. The most popular is Goodwich: Oat Chocolate Chunk, Sea Salt, Drizzle Fudge, Vanilla Ice
Knafeh at Tanoreen
This popular Middle Eastern, phyllo pastry dessert is a family recipe of chef and owner Rawia Bishara that she learned from her mother.
Anything at Jacques Torres Chocolate
“Every product created by Jacques Torres Chocolate is authentically made using premium ingredients. From sourcing the perfect cacao beans to technique steeped in tradition, Jacques’ team combines genuine passion with handcrafted mastery to produce purely delicious, real chocolate.” – Jacques Torres Chocolate
Egg Cream at Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain
“Every product created by Jacques Torres Chocolate is authentically made using premium ingredients. From sourcing the perfect cacao beans to technique steeped in tradition, Jacques’ team combines genuine passion with handcrafted mastery to produce purely delicious, real chocolate.” – Jacques Torres Chocolate
Sfingi at Villabate Alba
Sfingi is made with Ricotta and Zeppole with Vanilla Cream. A Villabate favorite, served every day yet a dessert indulged on St. Joseph’s Day.
Brooklyn Blackout Cake at Little Cupcake Bakeshop
Brooklyn Blackout Cake originated in the 1800s at Ebinger’s Bakery and then disappeared. Little Cupcake Bakeshop co-founder Sal Lobuglio revived the legendary dessert as a three-layer chocolate cake that has a major cult following “Even before we actually opened our shop in 2005, we had people knocking at the door of our bakery’s construction site asking if we were going to serve Brooklyn Blackout Cake,” says co-owner Louie Lobuglio.
Donuts at Peter Pan Donut and Pastry Shop
You’ve gotta try these classic donuts that are made using the same recipes from 60 years ago. You’ll love the classic varieties and especially the fan favorite red velvet donut. “When it gets a little warmer outside, we slice them open and fill em’ with cherry amaretto ice cream,” says owner Donna Siafakas.
Spumoni at L&B Spumoni Gardens
Spumoni is a classic Italian dessert made of 3-layers of ice cream: pistachio, almond and chocolate. And the best is found at L&B Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn. Ludovico Barbati, the L&B in the name, started selling spumoni door to door from a horse-drawn wagon throughout Brooklyn in the 1930s before opening the storefront in 1939. It’s the quintessential Summer treat you can enjoy year round.
