The New York Times Food team, comprised of devoted dessert enthusiasts, has meticulously compiled a list of the most outstanding sweet creations across the United States in 2025. Following extensive scouting missions to identify the year's premier dining establishments, the team ensured that no delectable confection was overlooked. This compilation showcases a diverse array of their preferred desserts, each promising a memorable conclusion to any meal.
Among the standout selections is the Dulce de Leche Flan from Franciska Wine Bar in Portland, Maine. Diverging from the traditional Argentinian presentation, where dulce de leche is spooned over the flan, Franciska ingeniously integrates this caramel-infused delight directly into the custard. This method imparts a deeper, more robust flavor profile, characterized by a toasted, slightly burnt-sugar essence. The flan's consistency skillfully balances the richness of a pudding with the density of fudge, delivering a bittersweet taste that perfectly complements a meal of grass-fed beef empanadas and a fine Mendoza Criolla Chica wine. Priced at $14, this dessert offers a refined and innovative twist on a classic favorite.
Another culinary masterpiece featured is the Ajisai Wagashi from Yamada in New York City. At Isao Yamada's serene kaiseki counter, every dish is an experience for the senses, and the final sweet course is no exception. Crafted with an artist's precision, this wagashi, a traditional Japanese confection often enjoyed with tea to mellow its bitterness, is meticulously formed from shiro-an, a white bean paste. It is delicately adorned with shimmering agar jellies, colored with natural extracts from butterfly pea flower and dragon fruit, designed to evoke the delicate beauty of a blooming hydrangea. A subtle, almost poetic element is the inclusion of carbonated sugar, which creates a faint popping and rustling sound, reminiscent of gentle rain. This exquisite creation is part of a $295 prix-fixe menu, offering a multisensory dessert experience that embodies both beauty and flavor.
The culinary explorations of the New York Times Food staff reveal a passion for extraordinary desserts, transforming the simple act of eating into an art form. Each selection, from the innovative flan to the artful wagashi, underscores a commitment to discovering and celebrating the finest sweet offerings the country has to offer, leaving a lasting impression on the palate and the imagination.
