Kristie HangSummertime is the perfect time to indulge yourself in sweets and desserts. Popsicles, frozen yogurt and ice cream may be the typical sweets that come to mind when you think of the hot weather, but that was so yesterday. Luckily for us, many new, up-and-coming businesses have been creating innovative foods that have surpassed novelty status. From ramen churros, to milky soft serve with a side of honeycomb, here are five newcomer sweets that are not only taking over summer, but are here to stay.
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Barton G.'s over-the-top Marie Antoinette Cotton Candy.; Credit: Jean Trinh
5. Marie Antoinette cotton candy
If you want a picture-worthy dessert experience, then Barton G.’s aptly named “Let Them Eat Cake,” served on Marie Antoinette’s head, is just that. The dessert, available at the Los Angeles outpost of Barton G., was created by pastry chef Luis Vasquez using yards of pink cotton candy molded into the shape of an edible, two-foot-tall, pink cotton candy wig. The extravagant piece is served alongside raspberry and strawberry cream cheese petit cakes with fresh berries and whipped cream. Whoever said you can’t have your cake and eat it lied. At Barton G., 861 North La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 388-1888.
Milky Ice Cream with Honeycomb.; Credit: Danny Chen
4. Ice cream with honeycomb
Chunks of honeycomb in milky soft serve ice cream? Here’s a dessert that would make Winnie the Pooh jealous. Ice cream with honey is currently all the rage in Korea, and luckily for L.A. locals, Honeymee in the heart of Koreatown has imported the trend. They serve whole milk soft serve ice cream that can be topped with honeycomb, honey drizzle, chocolate sauce, or even packed in a sweet bun. Honeymee’s ice cream has a rich flavor similar to that of Japanese hokkaido milk, with a light and airy texture. The honey and honeycomb add a sweet taste and chewy texture to this delectable, palette-cleansing dessert. At Honeymee, 3377 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown, (213) 380-4663.
Ramen churro bites; Credit: Kristie Hang
3. Ramen churros
Just when you thought you’d seen all the possible ramen creations out there, the creator of the original Ramen Burger, Keizo Shimamoto, is serving up ramen churro bites. The ramen bun you’ve come to know and love is fried, cut into bite-size wedges, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. The churro wedges are served piping hot and have a big crunch with each bite. Shimamoto and his team are also currently experimenting with other ramen-style desserts, such as ice cream ramen churros and nutella ramen churros. Although the latter options are not on the menu yet, if you ask nicely, they just might whip something up for you. At Ramen Burger, 239 South Vermont Ave., Koreatown. More info at ramenburger.com.
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White chocolate candy bar filled with with Sour Patch Kids, Fruity Pebbles cereal, and gummy bears.; Credit: Kristie Hang
2. Monchie Bar
Los Angeles celebrity jewelry designer Onch has gone from designing accessories for Nicki Minaj, to releasing his very own chocolate candy bar. The Monchie Bar is jam-packed with Sour Patch Kids, Fruity Pebbles cereal, and gummy bears. The white chocolate candy bar packs a whole lot of flavor and crunch, while bringing back your favorite childhood snacks all in one. Onch hasn’t strayed too far from his design roots, as his signature whimsical designs are front and center on the packaging itself, looking like something out of a Care Bears dream sequence. At Sweet!, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Ste. 201, Hollywood; (323) 462-3111.
milky bun from Afters Ice Cream; Credit: Instagram/aftersicecream
1. Ice Cream Donuts
Ice cream sealed inside a hot donut? This isn’t your typical ice cream sandwich. Known as the “Milky Bun,” Afters Ice Cream's unique treat is premium creamy, soft ice cream sealed inside a glazed donut “bun.” Patrons first choose their desired ice cream: Afters has “normal” flavors like mint chocolate, but fan favorites have been more unique flavors such as Cookie Monster, milk and cereal, Vietnamese coffee, and jasmine milk tea. The milky bun is then sliced open, filled with ice cream, and resealed with extra batter using a press similar to a waffle iron. The result is a hot, dense, creamy concoction that will blow away any ice cream sandwich or donut you’ve had before. At Afters Ice Cream, 18030 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. Afters also operates a food truck based out of Santa Ana. For more info including hours of operation, visit aftersicecream.com.
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