Katherine SpiersL.A.'s bakers — actually, our confectioners of all stripes — are pulling out all the stops for this year's big face-stuffing celebration. It's not just pumpkin and apple pies showing up on the table for Thanksgiving this year. There's butterscotch and coconut and marzipan and ice cream … so much ice cream. Read on to see the desserts that will impress your friends the most this holiday. Remember to order as soon as possible.
Pumpkin cheesecake ice cream pie; Credit: Courtesy Small Batch
Small Batch
Small Batch is a new ice cream shop from Top Chef winner Brooke Williamson, who's got a Westside empire growing. And it's going big for its first Thanksgiving: a pumpkin cheesecake ice cream pie. You'll be the belle of the ball if you show up to dinner with this creation.
12222 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista; (424) 289-9552, smallbatchcreamery.com.
Credit: Courtesy McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
McConnell's Thanksgiving tradition is a pumpkin ice cream pie. It comes with a spiced graham cracker crust, pumpkin pie ice cream, pecan pralines and salted caramel sauce. Order by Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. (be sure to order the $3 dry ice at the same time, if you want it) to be picked up at the McConnell's location of your choice.
Multiple locations. mcconnells.com.
Cake Monkey; Credit: Amy McCullaugh
Cake Monkey
Cake Monkey makes some of the city's favorite desserts, and it's offering a couple of special Thanksgiving options. Try a butterscotch pudding pie or a pumpkin tart, and if you'd like, request a gluten-free graham cracker crust for either dessert. Desserts are available for pre-order by noon on Nov. 21.
7807 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax; (323) 932-1142, cakemonkey.com.
Magpies; Credit: Amy McCullaugh
Magpies Softserve
Soft-serve pie! Why not? Magpies is selling two confections for Thanksgiving that combine L.A.'s perennial obsession with East Coast traditions. There's a pumpkin pecan soft-serve pie (pumpkin pie-flavored soft serve layered with salted caramel sauce and candied pecans, topped with brown butter pecan crumble and whipped cream in a graham cracker crust) and a vegan Dutch apple soft-serve pie (vegan apple pie soft serve with homemade apple butter and toasted almonds, topped with a marzipan brown sugar streusel in a vegan graham cracker crust). Both are available for pre-order until Nov. 21.
2660 Griffith Park Blvd., Silver Lake; (323) 486-7094, magpiessoftserve.com.
FrankieLucy Bakeshop
This tiny new Silver Lake storefront is selling a selection of upside-down pies for Thanksgiving in a delightful range of flavors. Customers can choose pumpkin, ube (purple yam), buko (young coconut), pandan, chocolate or vanilla, in both regular and mini varieties. All come with a bruleed graham cracker crumble topping. Pre-order by Nov. 19.
3116 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; (323) 285-1458, frankielucybakeshop.com.
Persimmon-walnut-stuffing ice cream; Credit: Courtesy Salt & Straw
Salt & Straw
Ice cream chain Salt & Straw is known for getting pretty crazy with its flavors sometimes. During November it's selling Thanksgiving-themed flavors, which can be picked up in the shops and at supermarkets; some seem like novelties, some sound really good. The varieties include sweet potato casserole with maple pecans, buttered mashed potatoes and gravy, persimmon walnut stuffing, salted caramel Thanksgiving turkey and spiced goat cheese and pumpkin pie. I'd enthusiastically buy three of those flavors!
Multiple locations. saltandstraw.com.
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