dessert.in.desert is a delicious stop for Asian inspired sweet treats at Scottsdale and Mayo. With…read moreflavors like taro, matcha, and black sesame to strawberry and oreo, there is something for everyone. Put it in a cup, a cone, or a fish shaped Taiyaki cone. If you're like me and need a little savory to balance the sweet, they also have deep fried potato tornados with flavor outings like sour cream and onion, and garlic parmesan. Make it the ultimate girl fun stop by jumping in the photo booth with a few provided accessories

My sister and I were just passing through the area but we knew we needed a sweet treat, and this is…read morewhat was recommended locally! I'm glad we stopped in, because not only was the ice cream really good, but the store itself was very cute! There was a Photo Booth, complete with fun sunglasses and cute props to make your Photo Booth experience that much more memorable! If we're in the area again, I know we will definitely stop by again!

This is a nice twist on a classic dessert. Great options and a fun atmosphere. It's a great place…read moreto try.

Smashing, Yo! My…read moredaughter dragged us into another donut shop, but this one was not your regular donut place. The staff was friendly. She explained the story and the popular items at their store. While my kids were happy with a pressed donut, I went in for a fancy shake. It was pretty good. It's a lot though, very rich and filling. It was a great stop before the ride home. Didn't need a meal after that. Is hype or is it for real...I enjoyed it. Recommended.

I am so glad that I stumbled into this little local Gelato in Cave Creek!…read more The space honestly doesn't seem impressive honestly. My husband was trying to convince me that it cannot have real gelato by its look. haha. Boy, he was wrong ; ) I love real pistachio gelato, but they are hard to come across. Most places uses partially flavorings if not completely. Even among the few places using all real pistachio, many do not use enough pistachio because it's an expensive ingredient. But here at Sweet Suzan's, it's real deal. It was a slow time when I walked in. The service was friendly and welcoming. I was informed that their gelato is homemade and I can try any flavors interested. I got the affogato with pistachio gelato after trying their pistachio gelato. And wow! That's real good quality espresso there which honestly I wan't expecting from a gelato shop. Overall, got to say that I am sold! The only thing I'd like to ask them is that I wish they would post alternative schedule on their social media if they are not opening on their regular posted hours.

Sweet Suzan's relocated to this new location very near where I live, so that's how I discovered it…read more Seeing the excellent reviews at their old location, my wife and I stopped in to give them a try. The friendly employees behind the counter will offer to let you sample anything you'd like to, and after a couple of tastes, we landed on four different flavors on two different visits. Every one of them was among the most delicious gelato flavors we've ever had: cherry mascarpone, mint chip, peanut butter stracciatella, and pistachio. Just wow. The flavor was rich, natural, and perfectly sweet, while the texture was just as good. The pricing is pretty good, too, and it really makes sense to go large here, with the additional cost for a larger size not being that much more. They also offer some excellent-looking pastries, all made in house. They have an espresso menu, too, with the beans coming from the Roastery of Cave Creek. They sell canned and bottled beverages from a cooler in the corner. The ambience is similar to the previous ice cream shop that occupied this space. It's small, but there are still ample places to sit, and everything is kept cool and clean, light and bright. I highly recommend stopping in for a taste spoon. You might just get hooked. :)

Best shakes in the Scottsdale area, hands down! We went there after completing an escape room at…read moreNemesis Club and left completely stuffed. Our family shared 4 shakes so we could sample a few. Carrot Cake Shake - If you like carrot cake, this one is a no-brainer. A perfectly cinnamon and a carrot cake flavor shake with pecan rim, whipped cream, and a full slice of carrot cake on top! Death by Chocolate Shake - Chocolate on top of chocolate with a brownie and Kinder Bueno on top. Tuxedo Shake - This was everyone's favorite with the perfect mix of vanilla and Oreos with a full ice cream sandwich on top. Sweet Tooth Shake - Loaded with sugar...cotton candy, ribbon candy, sprinkles, and a lolipop. Too sweet for me, but my daughter loved it. Our server was awesome and helped us pick based on preferences. Don't forget to check out the escape room at Nemesis Club while you visit. The rooms are awesome and the whole place has a speakeasy vibe.

Damn - this place is amazing! We got, I think the "killer" milkshake and would totally recommend…read moresharing it with more than 2 people. It had an Oreo cookie, a big Reese peanut butter chocolate and another cookie.. so it was pretty yum. But defn need to have a salad/something light later :). Service was good, staff was friendly. Parking was easily available on a weekday though - and its fun to just roam around in the neighborhood. We were visiting from out of town and will defn recommend this place to folks.

After a wonderful meal next door at The Sicilian Butcher, our waiter suggested some dessert, but…read morelittle did I know they had a whole bakery connected to the restaurant. I can't speak on the customer service as we never left our table and our waited just walked over and got what we needed. We were pretty stuffed from our massive meal, but we decided on sharing a cup of gelato just to satisfy our sweet tooth. I peeked inside as our table was right at a little walkway from the restaurant to the bakery. Gelato is just one of many things they serve here. They also have all your typical Italian desserts. Cakes like tiramisu, pastries like Italian flag cookies, cookies like Italian wedding cookies, cannolis of different varieties, and of course gelato. What was suggested to us if we wanted gelato was the hazelnut flavor. I was expecting a little cup for the 6 of us just to get a taste, but what he brought over was a massive serving. I don't know how many scoops it was or even how much we even paid, but we all got plenty with some even left behind. Now this gelato was life changing. Probably the best I've had in the states. I know it's gotta be way better in Italy, but I'll take what I can when I can. Think of a Ferrero Rocher but in gelato form. It was delicious and I couldn't get enough of it. It wasn't overly sweet and it had a little crunch with bits of chocolate and hazelnuts. My sweet tooth was extremely satisfied after having dessert here. I have literally been thinking about that gelato since I left Phoenix. Luckily this company has locations in Texas so I will definitely be seeking out this gelato soon.

As a born and raised New Yorker, I take food very seriously... and Italian pastries even more so…read more Just before Christmas, I was traveling from New Yawk (visiting my parents) back to Phoenix to attend a family dinner at my partner's parent's home in Scottsdale. While I was still in NYC with my family on XMas eve eve, it hit me... I need to bring something besides wine everytime I go to their home. Nor a Southern dish. I wanted something unapologetically New Yaek. And what's more New Yawk than a box of classic Italian cookies? After asking a few Yelp friends where to find the best Italian cookies in Phoenix, The Sicilian Baker kept coming up. I called them last minute on Christmas Eve eve, having never been there before, totally sight unseen. First of all, their voicemail is hilarious. Truly. If you do nothing else, call just to hear it. It will instantly make you want to order something. Once I reached a real person, I explained my situation, that I wouldn't be able to come in beforehand, I needed a beautiful cookie tray for about 14-16 people, and I had a few must have preferences. Without hesitation, they said, "We got you." I was assured it would be ready when I landed on Xmas eve. Sure enough, after my partner picked me up from the airport, we headed straight to The Sicilian Baker. Parking right out front, a huge plus. As soon as you pull in, you're greeted with Frank Sinatra playing, not just inside, but even in the parking lot. It sets the tone immediately. We walked in, gave my name, and within minutes a lovely young person brought out my tray. Ten minutes later, we were on our way. Easy. Efficient. Warm service that made me actually grab a small box of cookies to drop my besties home on the way outta there. I didn't even realize at first that there's a sit down restaurant next door where you can relax and enjoy something. Great to know for next time ;) . Now, let's talk about the cookies. Yes, they are on the pricier side, but every single dollar was worth it. The tray was robust. Classic Italian pastries across the board like lobster tails, tri-colored almond cakes, cannolis, and all the favorites you hope for when you're trying to impress a room full of potential inlaws. And impress it did. The moment I walked in with that tray, it was a hit. People were already claiming which pastries they wanted, plotting what they'd take home, and hovering before dinner was even finished. There was more than enough for 16 people, grand is the only word for it, which is my style 1,000%. To this day, they're still talking about those cookies which makes me phenomenally proud (and humbled). I say this in all my reviews, "I hate almost everything. I'm discerning. I'm critical. And when something truly represents what I stand for - quality, authenticity, and heart, I will shout it from the rooftops". The Sicilian Baker delivered New York level excellence in Phoenix! Do not walk, runswiftly to this place if you need a gift, a show stopping dessert, or simply want to treat yourself. I cannot wait to go back. Highly, highly recommended.

I came here on saturday and they sang happy birthday to my daughter! It was such a sweet experience…read morefor us!

We stopped by Bruster's for my daughter's middle school fundraiser, and it was such a sweet…read moresurprise, we forgot just how good their ice cream is! Bruster's Real Ice Cream seriously has some of the creamiest ice cream. We had been to this location when it first opened but hadn't been back in a while, and now I'm wondering why we waited so long. One thing we love is that they have a drive-through option, so convenient, especially on busy school nights. And the flavor selection? So many to choose from! My daughter picked a scoop of chocolate raspberry truffle and a scoop of cherry vanilla. My son went with cotton candy explosion and loved the pop rocks mixed in. He thought that was the coolest part. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and exactly what we needed to support a good cause and treat ourselves. We will definitely be back again soon!

If you love froyo (especially discounted froyo), this is the spot! I came on a Wednesday for their…read morepajama promo (7pm to closing) and it was BUSY, but so worth it. The flavors rotate throughout the year, which keeps it fun, but I love that they don't overload you with too many choices. My forever fave is the original tart - it's perfectly tangy and soooo good with toppings. Speaking of toppings... the bar is stacked: gummies, chocolates, syrups, sweets - all the good stuff. The only thing missing? Whipped cream! (If I didn't miss out in seeing the bottle in the toppings bar) There's plenty of parking, and don't forget to download their app to earn points. They upgraded from using phone numbers last year, and honestly, the app makes it super easy.

The best flavors! Always adding new ones and then keeping your all-time favorites. So many add-ons…read moreto choose from.

Not a huge ice-cream girlie, but when I do crave it, I always lean toward the non-traditional…read moreflavors - and Jeni's never disappoints. It has this cozy, home-style, almost small-batch ice-cream-parlor vibe that I genuinely love. Their flavors are always creative, and the portions are massive (even the half scoops!). In the photo, I got Honey Vanilla Bean and Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flakes - both were amazing. They rotate between classics and fun new drops, so there's always something exciting to try. On a Monday night they were busy!!! Always happy to come back to Jeni's.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams…read more Gooey Butter Cake, Brambleberry Crisp and Green Mint Chip are my goto flavors with the first 2 originals from Jeni's. The workers are quickly to serve and let you try samples, it is excellent service and nice to try their original creations. Glad Jeni's has setup shop a few miles from home. Plus love the late hours, since we tend to be late dinner eaters and nice to have that dessert option after dinner

These amazing cookies were at a recent downtown Phoenix event. I got 3 of them to try: the…read moreFirecracker, Crunch Nugget, and Good Luv. All of the flavors looked good and it was hard not to try them all at once. These cookies are so soft and packed with delicious fillings. It's hard to not get cravings for these once you've had them. I highly recommend stopping by to try for yourself.

The he owner greeted me with a big smile. He was super friendly and the vibe was really cool with…read moremurals everywhere. The cookies are huge. $5 for 1, $15 for 4 or $25 for 7. I purchased 7 because I love cookies and supporting small businesses. I got an apple pie, s'mores, chocolate peanut butter, strawberry cheesecake, red velvet, chocolate brownie and a chocolate Carmel coconut cookie. All were really delicious except the strawberry cheesecake. That tasted very artificial. Otherwise I would highly supporting this small business and buy lots of cookies.

Ive tasted Butta Cakes before but have never visited the location myself. It's easy to find and…read morefind parking. There's so many flavors to choose from! We opted for a dozen which was $26. I am so indecisive so this is perfect for me as I can try different flavors and not be committed to a whole cake or piece. Our favorites have been the lemon and key lime. The citrus flavors really stand out above the rest! I wish there was a location on the west side I could stop into because I would be here more often than I should! lol

Such a cute locally owned bakery with the most delectable mini butter cakes I've ever had. A must…read moretry in North Scottsdale!