It’s hard to resist a good dessert. These are so good, you’ll want to save room for them after your dinner (if you even eat it). Go ahead — no one’s watching you to make sure you ate your dinner first.
Some days — hey, many days — call for a good dessert. Whether you’ve had a rough week at work or home, are looking to celebrate, or just looking for a night out on the town, we’ve compiled a listing of some of the best desserts Champaign-Urbana has to offer. We asked our readers for help and your suggestions definitely did not disappoint. In fact, we’ve added a few to our list to try. As always, we look to support local businesses in our food trails, so even though some of our large chain restaurants offer some tasty options, we focus on our locally owned restauranteurs and bakeries.
A Taste of Both Worlds, 401 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana: Try their dessert eggrolls (turon) filled with bananas and jackfruit, topped with chocolate sauce. “I make & eat a lot of desserts…never had a dessert quite like this. Tasty!”
Art Mart, 1705 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign: “I used to drive from West Champaign to downtown Urbana at least twice a week when I was pregnant for Art Mart’s oatmeal raisin cookies. They have nuts in them, but they are incredible!” We’d have to put in a plug for Art Mart’s oatmeal fudgie and their cookie dough covered brownies, too. Perfect for those days when you need a little more chocolate in your life.
Bake Lab, 410 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana: “The pastry chef at Bake Lab makes some of the most unique desserts I’ve ever seen or tasted.” “Bakelab’s croissants and fruit tarts are my new favorites.”
Baldarotta’s Gelateria, 300 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana: Located inside Lincoln Square Mall, Baldarotta’s offers mouth-watering gelato flavors as well as many other delectable treats. Want to go for an adventure? Try the gelato flights. Find out more about this delicious treat here.
Berries and Flour: “Make sure to try their Earl-Grey raspberry cake!” We are particularly curious about their cake of the month subscription. Looking for a gift for that certain someone who is hard to buy for? A cake of the month club just might fit the bill. There is no storefront. Goods are by online or phone order, or find them regularly at summer farmers markets and holidays markets.
Common Ground Food Co-Op, 300 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana: Located inside Lincoln Square Mall, one reader states that Comon Ground’s carrot cake is their most favorite dessert.
Hopscotch Bakery + Market, 802 W. John St., Champaign: The hardest decision now its knowing whether to visit them in their original location or inside The Literary, but “all of their desserts are delicious.” Big love given to their pumpkin cookies, cinnamon rolls, and salted caramel brownies. One reader enthusiastically recommended their gelato.
Hunny Bunny Bakes, 2006 S. Neil St., Champaign: “We love their cake jars. Delicious!”
Lucky Moon Pies and More, 401 E. Oak St., Mahomet: “Absolutely anything from Lucky Moon is my choice for dessert. If we’re talking just about uniqueness, their frozen key lime pie on a stick is super fun!” We may also already have the countdown going on until their Girl Scout brownies make a comeback.
Pekara Bakery and Bistro, 811 W. Springfield Ave., Champaign: “Bailey’s chocolate cake and a cup of coffee?” Who says you can’t eat cake for breakfast?
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N. Lincoln Ave., Champaign: “Their hazelnut gelato is a winner in our house!”
Rick’s Bakery, 124 W. Main St., Urbana: “Not really unique but so delicious, Rick’s tres leches.” Another reader mentioned Rick’s princess cakes (sponge cake with layers of custard and raspberry jam covered by layer of marzipan) are delicious and tasty, too.
Seven Saints, 32 E. Chester St., Champaign: Featuring desserts from The Cake Artist’s Studio, Seven Saints does not disappoint on the dessert selection. Make sure to save room. “The Ding Dong Tribute cake is an absolute favorite! It is an instant throwback to childhood with the chocolate, creme filled cake topped with ice cream and drizzled with raspberry sauce.” The drunken pecan pie with chocolate is another fan favorite, as well.
Suzu’s Bakery, 114 N. Walnut St., Champaign: The cream puffs are a favorite in our house. Matcha, vanilla and chocolate – doesn’t matter. “Try the Matcha cake at Suzu’s Bakery–unique and delicious.” Another reader excitedly recommended their cheesecake, while others said they love anything and everything from Suzu’s!”
The New Sweet Indulgence, 2149 S. Neil St., Champaign: The raspberry frangipane is a tasty combination of flavors (raspberries, almonds and vanilla cake with raspberry filling and white buttercream) that is fresh and flavorful.
Timpone’s, 710 South Goodwin Ave., Urbana: “We love Timpone’s desserts, especially their panna cotta. The best in town!”
These are just a few of the suggestions that we have. What are some of the best/most unique desserts that we have missed? Email us and let us know.