Dessert Time in Aspen!

Thanks to Eat Magazine for doing a piece on the best desserts in Aspen - and to the Aspen Times for bringing it to my attention! Here's the inside scoop on the yummiest treats in town...

Check out Jimmy's! They have the best looking volcano cake I've ever seen. For only $10, it's a no brainer. Eat Magazine recommends savoring this delectable treat with an 18 year old glass of Flor de Caña rum ($17g). This particular kind of rum is hard to find in Aspen - Jimmy's is the only place you can find it. If port's more your style, they also pair the volcano cake with a Taylor Fladgate 20yr Tawny Port ($12g).

If you're with 4 or more people, I recommend getting both the volcano cake and this next one to share - the Bread Pudding Tower! This chocolate chip bread pudding is topped with Bananas Foster cream sauce and served with Dulce de Leche ice cream ($10).  They've paird this scrumptous dessert with Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey ($10g) and the Del Maguey Crema de Mezcal, a 100% organic agave ($20g). Crema de Mezcal has a nose of roast maguey, with vanilla and pear, a creamy sweet, almond, apple, coffee, pineapple pallate and a long sweet orange, smoky finish.

Another amazing option - a plate of hand-made truffles made by local women using only the best cacao beans. What's interesting about these truffles is the seemingly odd flavors - chipoltle chili, apple cider, parmesan olive oil, sea salt and smoked bacon. Each micro-batch (50-300+ bars) is produced from ecologically sustainable cacao of single national origins which give each batch a uniquely distinct flavor, with varying degrees of tanginess, fruity, nutty and/or spicy nuances.  All ingredients are procured in accordance with Fair-Trade practices, dealing directly with small co-operatives whenever possible, packaged with “green” packaging and certified Organic.

The Sweet Life

"Life is Short - Eat Dessert First!"

Snowmass Base Village's The Sweet Life has a retro, pop art feel and is chock full of burgers, fries, milkshakes, ice cream fountain items (root beer float, black & brown cow, orange creamsicle), sundaes, and....FRIED OREOS. Their signature dessert is batter dipped, fried crisp, and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Not enough? Try the Fried Oreo Sundae.

You can also make your own S'mores! Roast your own marshmallow tableside and sandwich it together with two graham crackers and a Hershey chocolate bar ;)

Are you a lover of french fries? Try The Sweet Life's dessert take on the classic fry - Funnel Cake Fries! Light crispy dough sticks, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and dusted with powdered sugar.

If you've ever dreamt of a FRIED PB&J, then this is the place for you. Classic sandwich dipped in batter, fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar and topped with vanilla ice cream. If you can handle it, ask them to drizzle chocolate syrup over it!

Check out their candy cocktails for some adult fun!

Little Annie's Eating House

Little Annie's is the place to go for classic favorites, like Annie's Rum Pecan Bundt Cake, which has been delighting patrons since the '70s. Try the warm Apple Crisp served a la mode. Warm apples, cinnamon and a crunchy top crust make this the perfect dessert after a long day of skiing. The summer version of the Apple Crisp is served with berries from local farms. Pair these desserts with a hot alcoholic beverage, such as hot buttered rum or hot chocolate.

Rustique Bistro

Rustique is the hot new Aspen bistro that everyone is talking about. Gourmet Magazine praises the "Grandmother Cuisine", featuring real Onion Soup Gratinée, Escargots, Roasted Seabass and Braised Short Ribs. But for dessert, they have a sample platter of some of the desserts on their menu! The Vanilla Créme Brulee, Profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce, and Chocolate Pot au Créme. They also serve a Pecan Tart a la mode, house-made fruit sorbet, Apple Tart Tatin, and Almond Pear Financier. 

Montanga at The Little Nell

Montanga is an elegant restaurant located in the five-star Little Nell hotel. They have a 20,000 bottle wine cellar, earning them the Wine Spectator Grand Award. The artisan cheese plate is amazing! Chef Ryan Hardy makes his own cheeses, so you know you'll be eating something deliciuos and unique. The Torta di Ricotta is a to-die-for light and fluffy cheesecake with pistachios and raspberries. Also, try the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, which contains banana cream and peanut gelato, buttermilk panna cotta, and topped with fresh peach preserves!

The Steak Pit

The Steak Pit has a 40 year old secret hot fudge recipe which makes an incredible sundae. The current owners, Bob and Cindy Glowacki, purchased the restaurant AND the hot fudge recipe (in a separate transaction) from its previous owner, Barbara Guy. Pair your sundae with an espresso martini for the full effect!

La Cantina

La Cantina serves Mountain Coastal Mex cuisine, which is a contemporary style of Mexican food. It's not your typical Tex-Mex - appetizers include relleno stuffed with lobster and goat cheese, served on a salad with more lobster! You can also find Baby Back Ribs, three types of Ceviche, Chilean Sea Bass and Cameron. As for the desserts, try the Deep Fried Ice Cream (pictured above) served with chocolate, caramel and strawberry sauce! La Cantina also serves Mexican Chocolate Mousse, Caramel Fried Plantains a la mode, Vanilla Flan, and Sopapillas. A Sopapilla is a fried pastry, similar to a strudel.

All of these desserts are mouth-wateringly delicious. Try them next time you're staying at the Ritz Carlton in Aspen or Bachelor Gulch!

Related Posts:

Aspen Restaurants: Fine Dining in Aspen

Aspen Restaurants: Casual Dining

Ritz Carlton Aspen Highlands Vacation Rentals