Just Desserts

Chocolate. Ice cream. Pancakes. Indian carrot pudding. Armenian Fig Newtons. The Balboa Bar. Ho Hos. Orange County teems with desserts, and the Weeklings went far and wide (or walked across the street to our local 7-Eleven) in search of the county's best. We found them at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, crafted by the hands of Argentine and Venezuelan immigrants, in Coco's display cases, and even at the Macaroni Grill. But eventually, all roads lead back to Balboa . . .

Read on:

Gustavo Arellano's 34 Favorite Desserts

Sweet treats at the Frosted Cupcakery

Ice Cream man Matt Allen

Ritz-Carlton pastry chef Jean-Francois Lehuede

Irvine's Chuao Chocolatier

Keko's Foods' sublime alfajores

Plus, odes to outlaw soda, lava cake, pastel de tres leches, chocolate-cream pie, Hostess Fruit Pies, Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls, chocolate cake, cereal, Zingers and lychees.