Annie’s Organic cheddar cheesy smiles: Like many American kids, I grew up eating Kraft boxed mac and cheese, which I still find appealing today. In grad school, with my limited budget, I upgraded to Annie’s mac and cheese. My favorite is their Yummy Cheese flavor with bunny-shaped pasta. This cheese puff snack, made with organic cheddar, tastes just like their Mac and Cheese with a slightly creamier flavor than normal cheese puffs while still maintaining the sharp cheddar taste I love. Very yummy - would purchase again. 4.0/5.0
recommended organic wholefoods annies cheddar cheesy smiles 4.0
Roberta’s Sweet corn soft serve: Truly tastes of sweet corn and cream. Texture is mostly smooth but a little bit grainy. Pricy for its size, at $6.50. Based on flavor alone, I would give it a 4, but accounting for texture and value, it’s a 3.5. Available at the take out section of Roberta’s in East Williamsburg. 3.5/5.0
recommended nyc dessert icecream brooklyn robertas sweet corn soft serve 3.5
Golden Steamer Hot dog bao: This savory hot dog bao comes in a swirled conical shape reminiscent of pigs in a blanket and contains a small Chinese sausage, about the size of a frozen American breakfast sausage - in other words, a sort of cultural crossover from an alternate universe. The bread is slightly sweetened and chewy. Overall, it’s a good sweet and savory option, but if you’re looking for protein, go for the Big Bun. Still, it’s tasty for what it is and costs only $1. Note: Unfortunately, I will no longer be ba... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended nyc chinatown bread goldensteamer hot dog bao 3.5
Golden Steamer Egg Yolk Bao: This is one of my favorites from Golden Steamer, which I liked so much that I purchased it twice (I haven't done that for any other bun, mostly because I wanted to try buns I hadn't had before every time I went). It is a steamed white bun filled with an egg custard, textured like a cross between pudding and paste. It is very simple yet delicious and costs only $0.90. The best of the dessert bao offerings at this hole-in-the-wall bakery in NYC's Chinatown. 4.0/5.0
recommended chinatown nyc dessert bread goldensteamer egg yolk bao 4.0
Eileen’s Special Cheesecake Pumpkin cheesecake: Humble but well executed pumpkin cheesecake from longstanding pastry store Eileen’s Special Cheesecake. Over a dozen cheesecake flavors are available, in snack-size portions. The cheesecake tastes homemade: neither light nor dense, with just the right level of sweetness. Reminiscent of canned pumpkin used in for Thanksgiving dessert. 3.5/5.0
recommended cake dessert eileensspecialcheesecake pumpkin cheesecake 3.5
Balthazar Blueberry cheese danish: Purchased from Harney & Sons tea shop in SoHo, this blueberry cheese danish from Balthazar was a delicious sweet treat. Flaky pastry with sugar crystals surrounds a sweetened egg and cheese custard. Fresh blueberries at the center are bright and fresh. A nice dessert to eat alongside tea, or by itself. 4.0/5.0
recommended pastry nyc dessert balthazar blueberry cheese danish 4.0