SugarBomber: Chicago's Most Awesome Desserts

by Emilie Zanger - Citysearch Editor - 80 Reviews - 37 Lists

/39/2e/16/dd/06/1b/4a/35/8c/e6/80/80/18/dd/55/de.jpg

Updated: July 20, 2009

Hi, we're Citysearch, and we're sweet-o-holics. Visions of chocolate-covered, candy-crusted, frosting-smothered treats dance through our heads more often than we dare admit. We've been known to skip breakfast and lunch in favor of ice cream. They say the first step is admitting you have a problem, but if it's wrong to love chocolate-covered gummy bears, we don't wanna be right. If you're anything like us, you'll love our top picks for Chicago's sweet eats, compiled from our sugar-laden lookbook, SugarBomber. Know a sinful treat that we should check out? Enlighten us with one of your favorites!

Get a Sugar Rush

  1. 1 3 Star Rating: Average Alliance Bakery
    Read Reviews

    1736 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)

    The Kelly: "I was totally into the unexpected use of fresh, peppery arugula leaves on this anything-but-garden-variety fruit tart. The tender crust cradled ruby-red strawberries and arugula, resting on a cushion of vibrant green pistachio cream, and topped with halved pistachios and a drizzle of magical vanilla-scented olive oil." -- Emilie Zanger, Citysearch Chicago Editor

  2. 2 Candyality
    Write a review

    3425 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

    Chocolate-Covered Gummy Bears: "Call me naive, but I had never encountered a chocolate-covered gummy bear before entering Candyality, Chicago's answer to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Unfortunately, there were no Oompa-Loompas to save me from candy overload. Don't let the subtle brown color fool you. Underneath the milk-chocolate coating lies a burst of pineapple chewiness in adorable teddy bear form. The chocolate layer is thin enough as to not overpower the pineapple flavor, and I couldn't resist popping a handful (okay, maybe a bag full) right away." -- Angeline Vuong, Citysearch

  3. 3 3.5 Star Rating: Average Hot Chocolate
    Read Reviews

    1747 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 (map)

    Warm Brioche Donuts: "A doughnut at Dunkin' Donuts? Easily passable. One--make that four--served elegantly on a long white appetizer plate at a chi-chi restaurant? I'm done. These plump, warm brioche babies bring beauty to the classic dessert (or breakfast, depending on your appetite) with a pairing of hot fudge sauce and caramel corn for dipping. Damn you, darling dumplings of my eye. I want to devour you." -- Valerie Moloney, Citysearch

  4. 4 3.5 Star Rating: Average More
    Read Reviews

    1 E Delaware Pl, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

    Foie Gras Cupcake: "This seemingly benign, unassuming cherry-topped cupcake should come with a warning label: Not for the faint of heart. Why? Well, that may look like regular buttercream, my friends, but in fact it is a massive, artery-hardening slather of foie gras mousse, perched atop a brioche cake that's filled with sour cherry cream (a feeble attempt to cut the richness of the foie). I could take a stab at describing its sweet/savory flavor and delicate texture, but instead, just imagine the most decadent thing you've ever eaten. Then quadruple it." -- Emilie Zanger, Citysearch Chicago Editor

  5. 5 Pasticceria Natalina
    Write a review

    5406 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

    Aragoste: "Imagine a cannoli on steroids, and you have an idea of the aragoste. Bite into this giant Sicilian pastry, roughly the shape of a lobster tail, and infinite layers of delicate, buttery filo shatter, giving way to rich ricotta cream, studded with dark chocolate chips and ethereal bits of candied orange peel. It's rich, yes, but never cloyingly sweet. Which, I found out from experience, makes it shockingly easy to eat in one sitting." -- Emilie Zanger, Citysearch Chicago Editor