In the world of desserts, originality is hard. As much as everyone tries, there are only so many ways to mix together flour, butter, and sugar, and there are only so many mashups that can be created in the kitchen (looking at you, cronut).
But of course, San Francisco is a little different. The city prides itself on bringing out the zany in everything, which includes its desserts. While bakeries carry the familiar croissants, cookies, and cakes, look closely and you’ll find some unusual—yet no less delicious—pastries lurking in the glass cases. Below is a round-up of some of those more unique desserts. Any one of them is perfect fuel for your sugar rush; they just “dough” it in a whole new way.
1. California Croissant
Where: Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, 1042 Larkin St
Leave it to San Francisco to make a croissant after the Golden State. Smoked salmon, ginger, wasabi, and nori make this a crazy combination that you can’t get enough of.
2. Cocoa Nib Rochers
Where: Tartine, 600 Guerrero Street
They look quite odd, but that’s the point. Essentially, they’re misshapen meringues that are light and crunchy and chocolatey all at the same time.
3. Thai Scone
Where: Craftsman & Wolves, 746 Valencia Street
A little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and entirely delicious. The green curry, candied ginger, and coconut flavors are addicting.
4. Chounut
Where: Choux, 248 Fillmore Street
Move over, cronut—the chounut has arrived. What is this exactly? First you take a choux, a common dessert in France (after croissants of course), which is a delicate cream puff that is perfect when you’re in need of a fun-sized dose of sugar. Then, you turn that into a donut, which takes the fried ring you know and love and gives it a big cream puff twist. Look for delicious flavors like cookie butter or strawberries and cream.
5. Brie en Croûte Filled with Mt Tam Cheese
Where: Hearth Coffee, 3985 17th Street
A savory pastry filled with Mt Tam cheese and sprinkled with scallions and sea salt, it’s a package oozing with locally-made goodness from the inside out.
6. Tesla Tart
Where: Tout Sweet, 170 O’Farrell Street
Inspired by the innovative car company of the same name, this version of the lemon tart features an electrifying combination of passion fruit, Japanese yuzu and Meyer lemons.
7. Orange Blossom Croissant
Where: Vive La Tarte, 1164 Howard Street
A slightly left-of-center take on the French classic, featuring notes of almond and citrus.
8. Seasonal Bostock (Passionfruit Almond, Pumpkin, etc.)
Instead of throwing away old brioche, eat it French-style, where it’s decked out in almond paste and filled with whatever is in season. You might be able to find these treats elsewhere, but you’ll only find these out-of-the-box flavors in San Francisco.
Where: B. Patisserie, 2821 California Street
9. Pistachio Blackberry Croissant
Where: Neighbor Bakehouse, 2343 3rd St #100
Not only is there pistachio paste decked over the top of the croissant, but it is twice baked and filled with a layer of blackberry jam that makes each bite a small piece of heaven.
[Featured Image: Mr. Holmes Bakehouse via Instagram]
