Austin is full of delicious desserts to try before your New Year’s Resolution kicks in (Credit: Bill Tucker)
What will your New Year’s resolution be? If you’re like 95 percent of the world, losing weight will be high on the list. Pack the gym, cut the carbs, dust off the Shake-Weight. It’s time to get fit.
But not now! It’s the holiday season, so why not live it up before cupcakes, pies and ice cream become strictly forbidden? Here are seven Austin desserts to try before your New Year’s resolution kicks in.
1/ Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery: Shortbread Cookies
With love and respect to Austin’s vastly exploding food scene, there’s something special about this class neighborhood bakery in Hyde Park. And while nearly everything at Quack’s is on point, their shortbread cookies bring special warmth to my heart. Crispy without being brittle, flaky and beautifully decorated, these tiny treats will brighten your holiday.
Quack’s is located at 411 E. 43rd St. For full menu and hours, go to quacksbakery.com.
2/ Barley Swine: Sunflower Seed Tart
The delicious Sunflower Seed Tart at Barley Swine (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Bizarre in description, but beautiful in execution, this dessert is fantastic. In short, it’s a pecan pie your friends with nut allergies can enjoy. By filling a tender tart with traditional cinnamon filling and sunflower seeds, you get the consistency of a pecan pie, without the nuts. Top it off with a dollop of homemade banana ice cream and a few drops of Meyer Lemon Curd for citrusy brightness, and this dish doesn’t even feel like cheating. Plus it’s dang pretty to look at.
Barley Swine is located at 6555 Burnet Road #400. Go to barleyswine.com for full menu and hours.
3/ Churro Co.: Campfire
The Campfire is every Boy Scout’s dream come true (Credit: Churro Co.)
Ah, how I love Churro Co. With respect to all their offerings, the Campfire still makes my taste buds tap dance. It’s also perfect for this time of year. Tender yet crispy churros tossed in a graham cracker crust topped with Mexican chocolate, whipped cream and torched marshmallows? Unfairly good! And from now until the Dec. 23, they’ll be at Trail of Lights next to the bonfire. Seriously. How perfect is that?
Churro Co. is located at 1620 E Riverside Dr. Go to churrocoaustin.com for full menu and hours.
4/ Juliet: Torta Barozzi
Juliet’s Torta Barozzi is perfect for those sensitive to gluten and craving great flavor (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Flour? Who needs flour? Juliet’s Torta Barozzi strikes a balance between delicate and decadent. A flourless chocolate cake is paired with light, airy homemade hazelnut gelato. The two stars of the dish blend beautifully, while the supporting characters of hazelnuts and to-die-for amarena cherries seal the deal. Plus, it’s gluten-free without sacrificing flavor. Yum!
Juliet is located at 1500 Barton Springs Road. For full menu and hours, go to juliet-austin.com.
5/ Irene’s: Peanut Butter Pudding
Irene’s Peanut Butter Pudding is absolutely outstanding (Credit: Irene’s)
Feel free to read that three times and let the concept wash over you. Yes, the Peanut Butter Pudding at Irene’s is as legit as it sounds. This dessert combines the finest pairing of food stuffs known to man (chocolate and peanut butter). Dash up the sweetness with a line of marshmallow fluff, add corn flakes for texture and you have a wonderful marriage of fantastic flavors. Take that, New Year’s resolution!
Irene’s is located at 506 West Ave. For hours and full menu, go to irenesaustin.com.
6/ Cow Tipping Creamery: Southern Charm Stacker
With all respect and love due to Amy’s, Cow Tipping Creamery is where you need to go for sensational soft serve. Navigating the insane menu of cones, shakes and toppings can be daunting, so I go straight for the recommended creations. Of these, the Southern Charm is fantastic. Your soft serve of choice (they change constantly) topped with a rum caramel sauce, honey dusted pecans, southern cracker candy and sugar. Heavenly!
Cow Tipping Creamery is located at 4715 South Lamar Blvd. For hours and full menu, go to cowtippingcreamery.com.
7/ Vince Young Steakhouse: “Forever Young” Chocolate Cake
The chocolate cake at Vince Young’s Steakhouse is simple, down-home deliciousness (Credit: Bill Tucker)
But sometimes, you just need chocolate cake. Vince Young’s version of the classic dessert looks simple, but features a number of subtle flourishes. A brushing of amaretto lends a subtle nuttiness and the cake itself is rich without being a chocolate bomb. Add some fresh whipped cream for texture, and you have down-home deliciousness.
Vince Young Steakhouse is located at 301 San Jacinto Blvd. For full menu, hours, and reservations, go to vinceyoungsteakhouse.com.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
How are you gearing up for your New Year’s Resolution?
Disclosure: Vince Young Steakhouse, Barley Swine and Juliet comped my desserts for the purposes of this article. All opinions are my own.
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