5 NYC Desserts You Have to Try

New York City. City of Lights, City of Dreams, the City so nice they named it twice. However, while New York might be known as the capital of commerce, entertainment and industry the world over, what many people do not know is that it is also one of the finest places to grab dessert in the country. From ice-cream to pastries, cakes to custards, New York has it all, ensuring you leave the city with your diet broken and your stomach full.

And so, in honor of New York's status as culinary capital, we have provided a list of 5 desserts you just have to try during your next stay in the city, scrumptious and unforgettable offerings that are definitely worth the thousands of calories they're sure to cost you.

5. "Smile to Go's" Chocolate Chip Cookies

While the chocolate chip cookie might seem traditional and boring, in the hands of pastry chef Brenna White, it's anything but. Packed with dark chocolate, brown sugar, and vanilla extract, and finished off with an interesting (but mouthwatering) sprinkle of sea-salt, "Smile to Go's" chocolate chip cookies don't taste like the ones mom used to make - they're even better. This artisan cookie is a must-try for anyone interested in experimental riffing on traditional dessert standards.

4. "La Churreria's" Churros

Looking for a more exotic taste? Look no further than "La Churreria" chef Lolo Manso, a legend in the game of dessert-making. An original Mexican citizen, Manso makes his Churros just like they did in his home-country - light, fluffy, and covered with sugar. Plus, if you need more convincing, every order of churros comes with a cup of dark chocolate for dipping, the perfect addition to this (literally) heart-stopping treat.

3. "Oddfellows Ice Cream Co.'s" Chorizo-Caramel Swirl

No list of desserts is complete without a good ice-cream recommendation. And there's no better place for ice-cream in the city than Oddfellows, the Brooklyn throwback that topped the Village Voice's recent list of best frozen treats in the city. The Chorizo-Caramel swirl is a particularly notable flavor, combining the richness of pork-sausage with the sweet ice-cream that Oddfellows is known for. It might not be the type of ice-cream you're used to, but that's okay - one bite will leave you certain this is all you'll want to eat for the rest of your life.

2. "Levain Bakery's" Dark Chocolate Peanut-Butter Chip Cookie

The second cookie on the list, this one gets the nod simply because of its unbelievable richness. After all, the dark-chocolate cookie itself is enough to induce cardiac arrest - add to that the smooth, savory peanut-butter chips and you have a combination that's almost impossible to handle. Plus Levain Bakery is a convenient stop - with locations in Harlem, the Upper-West Side, and the Hamptons, you can grab a cookie anywhere you're going (although, to be honest, after you try one of these cookies, you won't be ready to walk for a while).

1. "Dominique Ansel Bakery's" Cronut

And, in the number one spot, the famous "Cronut" -Dominique Ansel Bakery's croissant-donut combination that has had New Yorker's raving for a year. Launched by chef Dominique Ansel on May 10^th, 2013, the Cronut has been one of the most popular dessert items in the city since its release (in fact, if you don't pre-order, the only way to get one is to wait outside the bakery at 7 am, so you can get a spot right at the opening). But if you can get your hands on one, it's absolutely worth it - the kind of light, sweet, sugar sensation that you'll never be able to forget.