Cupcakes have long reigned supreme as the city’s most pervasive dessert trend. But a number of other cutesy confections have attempted a coup. Here’s how they’ve fared.
Cupcakes
Toronto’s affair with these little cakes began in 2003, when The Cupcake Shoppe opened its doors at Yonge and Eglinton. Since then, a plethora of new companies devoted to the dessert have launched, including Curbside Bliss, a bakery on wheels. There are cupcake cycling tours, a cupcake camp, and an Iron Cupcake competition.
Newest champion: The peanut butter cupcake from Desmond and Beatrice. $2.75. 750A Queen St. E., 647-352-2257.
Trend saturation rating: 5 out of 5
Donuts
The unofficial national treat has experienced a rebirth in the past year. With Glory Hole’s new Parkdale shop and Dough by Rachelle’s products now available at Sam James, the donut has the potential to steal first place. It’s a sweet with tremendous flexibility—not only is it dessert, but it’s breakfast, too.
Newest champion: The blueberry-balsamic donut from Paulette’s Original Donuts and Chicken. $2.75. 913 Queen St. E., 647-748-1177.
Trend saturation rating: 4 out of 5
Ice-cream sandwiches
The after-dinner sammie has been getting attention since Bakerbots started wooing Torontonians with its mammoth sandwiches last year. The frozen treat’s following is seasonal, except at Uncle Betty’s Diner, where a version that swaps cookies for donuts, is on the menu year-round.
Newest champion: The Pop Rocks–dusted ice-cream sandwich from Barton Snacks. $4.75. 1120 Queen St. W., 647-351-5444.
Trend saturation rating: 3 out of 5
Macarons
Queen West shop Nadège, which opened three years ago, is responsible for a good share of the craze—today, it’s hard to find a pâtisserie that doesn’t make macarons. Toronto even celebrated Macaron Day on March 20. A pack of three might make a nice gift, but bringing a box to share with the office has yet to catch on.
Newest champion: The Ruelo macaron from Ruelo Patisserie. $3. 4–6 Erskine Ave., 416-486-1800.
Trend saturation rating: 3 out of 5
Waffles
This Belgian specialty has been a long shot in the race for dessert supremacy. Previously, Wanda’s Belgian Waffles and Starving Artist were alone in transporting Torontonians to Liège, but the advent of Waffle Bar in the Upper Beach may mean a power shift. Trend mash-up alert: Waffle Bar does sliders made with Greg’s ice cream.
Newest champion: The fruit-fusion waffle from Waffle Bar. $4.50. 281 Scarborough Rd., 647-748-9235.
Trend saturation rating: 2 out of 5
Cake Pops
Everything tastes better on a stick. The popularity of this new dessert is due in part to Starbucks, which introduced them to its Petites line last year. Cake pop–making classes are even available at sweet boutique Le Dolci. Despite the cute appeal, few bakeries in the city offer these pint-sized portables, and some are all ball, no stick.
Newest champion: Chocolate-raspberry cakeball from For the Love of Cake. $2.54. 171 East Liberty St., 416-306-6446.
Trend saturation rating: 1 out of 5
