Taking a Bite of The Candy Apple: Top Three NYC Desserts
New York City: the city that never sleeps (probably because of always having a sugar high). NYC is known for its vast selection of eateries from around the world, including desserts. From decadent cakes to sugary drinks, NYC is no stranger to specialty sweets. Deciding which sweet joint to check out can be difficult, particularly if you have a major sweet tooth. Let’s look at some of the most famous dessert dishes in NYC.
Serendipity 3’s Frozen Hot Chocolate
You are not a true New Yorker or dessert fanatic if you have never heard of Serendipity 3 or their legendary Frozen Hot Chocolate. This frosty chocolate drink is an intoxicating mix of frozen hot cocoa and creamy milk, topped with mounds of whipped cream, cocoa powder and chocolate shavings. It is served in a giant glass goblet with two straws for you and your friend to enjoy (or just yourself if you are a major chocoholic!).
Located at East 60th Street, Serendipity 3 is a restaurant that has garnered praise and fame since its opening in 1954. Serendipity 3 has had a variety of global icons frequent the restaurant, such as movie star Marilyn Monroe, artist Andy Warhol and many more celebrities. It is home to some Guinness World Record dishes, such as the Golden Opulence Sundae and Quintessential Grilled Cheese Sandwich. But the menu item that put this restaurant on the map is the Frozen Hot Chocolate.
The Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe was a closely kept secret for decades. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, a frequent patron of Serendipity 3, once requested the frosty beverage’s recipe for a party she was throwing. But Stephen Bruce, one of the owners, refused and attended the event to make the drink himself. The recipe was finally released in 2014, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Serendipity 3 and the frosty beverage.
We at The Edge highly recommend going to this acclaimed restaurant to savor the experience and taste of their Frozen Hot Chocolate.
Junior’s Cheesecake
New York-style cheesecakes as a whole are classic desserts, but Junior’s Cheesecakes are a whole league of their own. Rich and buttery, this decadent dessert has been a staple for Brooklynites for decades. The cheesecake is made up with the simple ingredients of cream, sugar and eggs. It is set in a spine cake crust in lieu of traditional graham crackers for a sweet delight!
Founded in 1950, Junior’s is a classic diner world-renowned for its amazing cheesecake recipe. Harry Rosen, founder of Junior’s, teamed up with Master Baker Eigel Peterson to concoct the perfect cheesecake recipe. There are now several Junior’s locations in New York, but the must-go place is in Downtown Brooklyn, the place that started the mouth-watering creamy sensation.
Magnolia Bakery Red Velvet Cupcakes
When it comes to baked goods, NYC has what most New Yorkers call a “cupcake craze.” Everywhere you turn, there’s a bakery with trays of cupcakes lined up at the window for pedestrians to drool over. Magnolia Bakery’s Red Velvet Cupcakes may have had a hand in the sugary phenomenon.
Magnolia Bakery has become a bakery chain across New York, but you can find the original location at Bleecker Street. The bakery is a cute brick-and-mortar shop, welcoming customers with its sugary confections and alluring aroma. One sniff of their pastries will automatically hook you in. But their Red Velvet Cupcakes will ensure a lifetime addiction of sugary goodness.
The cupcakes are often featured in popular NYC-based media. Carrie Bradshaw was seen nibbling on the iconic sweets in the city-centric series “Sex and the City.” Andrea Sachs gives her boyfriend the sweet cupcake as a birthday treat (and apology for missing his party) in the urban fashion film “The Devil Wears Prada.” Conan O’Brien once bought cupcakes for every cast member of his NYC-based late night talk show.
If any of these three sweets sound like something you’d enjoy, make sure you check out these iconic NYC locations for your next sugar craving. Be sure to tag @theedgemag in your pics!