Top 10 of 2020: Desserts

Top 10 of 2020: Desserts

Neeha Valanki, Staff Writer

As a lover of all things sugary, I can’t deny that I’ve gorged on my fair share of junk food in quarantine. Whether you’ve got a sweet tooth, love to bake, or both, I’ve compiled a list of desserts that were truly my greatest go-tos in a year that maybe wasn’t so great.

10. Coconut Macaroons

Not to be confused with macarons, the meringue cookie, macaroons are the cutest coconut-based snack on the block. You’ll usually see them eaten plain or with the bottoms dipped in chocolate, and these confections are just perfect for anyone who prefers their desserts with a little less sweetness. There are a multitude of recipes online if you’re willing to try your hand at making these (don’t worry, it’s pretty easy!) and once you’re out of quarantine, you can certainly impress any guests with these sophisticated sweets.

 

 

9. Lemon Pound Cake

Now, lemon pound cake is not a flavor that sounds appealing to everyone, but I highly recommend giving it a try if you haven’t already. Lemon-flavored goodies don’t have as much sour punch to them as one might assume, and lemon pound cake in particular is gentle with its tartness. Its flavorful citrus base paired with a sweet sugar drizzle is all anyone could ask for on a rainy afternoon with a mug of coffee.

8. Miniature Tarts

This may seem like an odd ‘go-to’ dessert, but tarts can be really, really good. This unique pastry is loaded with sweet cream, tons of fresh fruit, and a crisp, crumbly shell that isn’t so flavorful it overpowers the filling, but just sweet enough to be eaten on its own, should a piece break off. While it definitely requires some skill to make, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying one of these lovely, old-fashioned pastries.

7. Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon buns are so soft, sugary, and satisfying that even just one of these glazed goodies are bound to satiate you. The fact that Cinnabon (a chain whose sole selling point is their cinnamon buns) can be successful is just another example of how wonderful cinnamon buns can be. However, they are a little on the heavier side, so if you have a small appetite, getting a regular size cinnamon bun can be a bit much. Then again, that’s what mini cinnamon rolls are for!

6. Fudge Brownies

Brownies come pretty close to being as ubiquitous as chocolate chip cookies. With their loveable, chunky texture and satisfying chocolatey composition, these little squares of heaven are an absolute delight to snack on. They’re just as easy to make, and you can opt to bake them from scratch or use a mix if you’re dying to get a quick sugar fix. As someone who could probably get a certificate in burning food, I can assure you that it is indeed possible for someone with no baking skills or experience to pull these off. Brownies come in all sorts of wonderful flavors, but the fudge brownie is a classic that can be trusted.

5. Ice Cream

Ice cream generally brings to mind the image of a sad, lonely person eating their heart out, but it can be incredibly fun, especially if you’re trying to make it on your own! With so many different flavors and types, there’s always a little something for everyone. You can make ice cream using traditional ingredients or opt for something healthier, like a fruit-based concoction. I personally recommend Häagen-Dazs’s dulce de leche flavor if you haven’t tried it already-it’s crazy good!

4. Cupcakes

I am a sucker for cupcakes. Red velvet, dark chocolate, mint and coconut-you name it! These little delights are a staple of party food. In quarantine, baking some cupcakes can make it feel like a celebration in your house, even if you’re not able to meet people to have a wild, in-person party. Consider cooking up some cupcakes if you’re feeling in need of a little extra cheer!

3. Macarons

These colorful meringue cookies are deceptively difficult to bake, but well-made macarons are definitely worth it. Their fun appearance and delectable crispness make them worth a try if you haven’t had them yet. Although they’re tricky to craft, with a little practice, you too can make macarons worth destroying your kitchen for. Or, if you’re like me, ordering some online works too!

2. S’mores

Regardless of whether you know your way around a kitchen or excel at the art of burning things, s’mores take the cake for being the easiest sugary snack to make. In fact, this scrumptious sandwich only requires three ingredients to make, and as long as you’ve got something to heat it with, you can enjoy a smore(or more!) in all its glory. A socially distanced s’more-making competition is also a great way to get outside and spend time with loved ones. The only downside to making s’mores are all the leftover chocolate bars and marshmallows, but that’s a problem a hungry stomach can solve very quickly.

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies

While we’re all stuck at home, this classic dessert may just make you feel a little better. Nothing quite beats the taste of warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven! They’re also fairly simple to bake on your own and easy to personalize, so if you’re looking to try your hand at baking, then chocolate chip cookies are great to start out with. You can also just buy edible cookie dough and eat it straight from the tub, which tastes amazing.