Terminalcoffee discussion

I thought we ought to start a thread devoted to all things dessert.

Questions to consider:

- What is your favorite dessert?

- What's the best dessert you've ever tried (not necessarily the same as question 1)?

- What's the craziest flavor of ice cream/cake/cookies you've ever tried?

- Any dessert stories worth sharing?

- Any pictures worth sharing?

- What is your dessert philosophy?

:)

I'll start with I tend to prefer desserts that aren't very sweet and have nuts or butter or cinnamon. I'm not big on icing, fruity anything, fruit-flavored anything. And I'm also not big on chocolatey anything unless it has dark chocolate... and then I prefer teeny portions, but I will eat it.

My fave ice cream flavor is sweet cream w/ granola or graham cracker.

My favorite cake - a toss up between sock-it-to-me cake and plain butter cake

This is a tough question as I do not have much experience with fancy desserts. A couple thoughts:

1. I have recently re-discovered the joys of chocolate syrup on ice cream.

2. I eat a lot of those Edy's fruit bars when I do have dessert.

3. I did not know "sweet cream" was an ice cream flavor.

- What is your favorite dessert?
Right now, my answer to this is pumpkin pie.

- What's the best dessert you've ever tried (not necessarily the same as question 1)?
Chocolate volcano cake with dulce de leche ice cream

- What's the craziest flavor of ice cream/cake/cookies you've ever tried?
green tea

- Any dessert stories worth sharing?
My best friend made a cake that called for a cup of coffee, and she put in a cup of coffee grounds. Does that count?

- What is your dessert philosophy? Only eat the really good stuff. Leave the crappy store-bought cookies for the kids.

You see, I think store bought cookies have their place. As in "eat the entire box/carton in one sitting" place. I mean, Chips Ahoy? We're talking America as its best, people!

Poor, poor man doesn't know what he's talking about...

I smell a poll coming...

I think my favorite dessert is my mom's fried apricot pies. I don't get 'em very often, either.

Chili's molton chocolate cake used to be one of my favorites -- but it's not the same as it used to be. When I lived in Pittsburgh, there was a restaurant there called Eat & Park (yes, I know it's backwards). They offered (probably still do) hot caramel apple pie with vanilla ice cream that was out of this world good.

When I go to a fancy restaurant, I like to get creme brule (with the appropriate accent marks over the e).

Crazy story -- at a restaurant in Round Rock, TX, we ordered a dessert with chocolate sauce drizzled over it. The chef picked up the squeeze bottle with basalmic vinegar in it instead of chocolate. It tasted pretty weird.

I don't think I have a dessert philosophy that I can articulate at this time.

- What is your favorite dessert?Plain old Cheesecake

- What's the best dessert you've ever tried (not necessarily the same as question 1)? Bananas Foster

- What's the craziest flavor of ice cream/cake/cookies you've ever tried? Chocolate Chili

- What is your dessert philosophy? Eat Desert first so that you'll have room for it.

Plain old cheesecake is scrumptious Jim, don't knock it!
*a nostalgic flavor in a uncertain world*:-)

Yes, I agree...I was never a cheesecake person, and then I tried some, and I feel like I need to make up for a lifetime of cheesecake neglect. But damn, cheesecake packs some serious calories...

I love cheesecake, too. But not chocolate cheesecake. I prefer regular, or lemon.
And yes, you should know what you're getting into when you decide to eat cheesecake.

I ♥ this thread. :D

Oh I wasn't knocking it Windfall, wasn't sure how else to describe it, I guess I could have went with regular.

RandomAnthony wrote: "3. I did not know "sweet cream" was an ice cream flavor."

It's like vanilla ice cream... without the vanilla. :) That's why I like it. It's just cream, sugar, and whatever else goes in ice cream... no flavor or anything. Just... pure ice cream.

BunWat wrote: "Profiteroles au chocolate!! Puff pastry filled with ice cream, with hot chocolate sauce poured over the top. Urrrr."

TawNub, I would definitely make an exception to my NONpreference for chocolate for that - gah! The cafe in our lobby at work has THE best French pastries. It sort of doesn't fit in here at the hospital, but I'm grateful for it all the same. I just like to look... because they're THAT good. Plus they charge an arm and a leg for 'em.

I guess sick people and people visiting sick people NEED good sweets.

Jackie "the Librarian" wrote: "My best friend made a cake that called for a cup of coffee, and she put in a cup of coffee grounds. Does that count?"

HA HA HA!!! Umm, I hope the coffee wasn't supposed to lubricate the dessert, thus making the grounds leave the dessert dry and crunchy. :)

I love dark chocolate recipes that call for coffee.

One holiday while my sister was visiting, she and my stepmother made a chocolate cake that didn't come out like it was supposed to... as in it was lopsided and crumbly... and kind of wonky, so they decorated it with white icing and put little dollar store winter figurines on top and called it an avalanche cake - like they did it on purpose (but I saw it when it happened and it was pretty ugly) - it didn't matter... it still tasted good.

RandomAnthony wrote: It's like vanilla ice cream... without the vanilla. :) That's why I like it. It's just cream, sugar, and whatev..."

That's why I like creme brulee. When done right, it is marvelous in its simplicity.

Larry wrote: "The chef picked up the squeeze bottle with basalmic vinegar in it instead of chocolate. It tasted pretty weird."

Was he SUPPOSED to drizzle vinegar on it?!! I mean, that seems like an accident sort of thing... surely they didn't make you eat it and pay for it!!! SURELY they gave you a real dessert with CHOCOLATE drizzle on it for FREE!!! And a lifetime supply of free drinks... surely.

Jim wrote: "What's the craziest flavor of ice cream/cake/cookies you've ever tried? Chocolate Chili"

OH!!! I've tried that - they put a bit of cinnamon in it, too... good one, Jim. :)

And plain cheesecake ROCKS!!!

Oooo, I likey that idea.

Like this?

Heidi wrote: "Was he SUPPOSED to drizzle vinegar on it?!! I mean, that seems like an accident sort of thing... surely they didn't make you eat it and pay for it!!! SURELY they gave you a real dessert with CHOCOLATE drizzle on it for FREE!!! And a lifetime supply of free drinks... surely."

They gave us a replacement dessert, if I recall correctly.

The cake with coffee grounds was, um, gritty, and really gave you a caffeine hit. But it was kind of dry...

Yeah, coffee grounds are not a food ingredient.

you had me at hello

you had me at hello

- What is your favorite dessert? chocolate melting cake on Carnival Cruise Lines ships with a close second being Sticky Toffee Pudding with home made heavy cream made by my friends Duncan and Gloria

- What's the best dessert you've ever tried (not necessarily the same as question 1)? actually, prob the same as #1 but i did get home made ice cream in the jungle in West Africa once made from ice created from energy from solar panels and a small freezer. so much work and effort by a friend to make one cup of ice cream for me made it the best

- What's the craziest flavor of ice cream/cake/cookies you've ever tried? in china (i **** you not) i once unsuspectingly bought a green bean ice cream bar from a street vendor. it tasted just like you expect. gross.

- Any dessert stories worth sharing? no, there may be children reading :)

- Any pictures worth sharing? no, there may be children viewing :)

- What is your dessert philosophy? desserts should be fun, friend-filled and often OR simply: "Yes please"

RandomAnthony wrote: "You see, I think store bought cookies have their place. As in "eat the entire box/carton in one sitting" place. I mean, Chips Ahoy? We're talking America as its best, people!"

Chips Ahoy rock! I eat them for breakfast.

I'm a big fan of chocolate, so most chocolate desserts, as long as the chocolate is unadulterated with stuff like fruit or fillings, are good with me. My favorite dessert might be plain yellow cake with homemade chocolate icing. Yummmmmm. Or perhaps chocolate mousse.....

This is making me hungry. I might have to go eat a Chips Ahoy.

- What is your favorite dessert? This German chocolate layer cake with light chocolate whipped cream frosting inside and a deep dark icing on top that crunches but also gooey with more chocolate whipped cream frosting coated with chocolate sprinkles up the sides. *sigh*

- What's the best dessert you've ever tried (not necessarily the same as question 1)? This cake at Jake's old babysitter's graduation. Oh god. More chocolate layer cake.

- What's the craziest flavor of ice cream/cake/cookies you've ever tried? I don't experiment with my ice cream - life's too short.

- What is your dessert philosophy? Life's too short, eat the whole cake/pint if you desire!

- What is your favorite dessert? - Ice cream. Specifically, Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk.

- What's the best dessert you've ever tried (not necessarily the same as question 1)? - the Banana Creme Pie at a local restaurant here called 131 Main. It's been called the best dessert in town, and every time we eat there, we order one to share.

- What is your dessert philosophy? - It better be yummy!

cheese cake is my favorite dessert.. turtles (pecan caramel) is my favorite chocolate thing besides it alone other then chocolate covered pretzles.. id also say that its better to eat the good stuff then anything else.. mostly im a plain and simple guy, my favorite ice cream is good vinella.. whatevers good, is good.. but yea thats what i like if i had to choose..

A brand of ice cream I won't be buying again: Julie's Organic. I thought I might like Mint Fudge since I love Mint Choc Chip but it is totally boring, and it doesn't have the mouthfeel of a really premium ice cream.

Favorite desserts: German chocolate cake; carrot cake with cream cheese frosting; mint choc chip ice cream; fudge; maple fudge.

Weirdest ice cream flavor I've had: red bean, at a fancy Asian restaurant at the Peninsula hotel.

Most boring desserts: cheesecake, creme brulee, most flavors of ice cream, flourless chocolate cake, fruit tarts.

Ohhhh LG you hurt my heart. I love cheesecake and creme brulee.

I think this is also where LG and I part company. We agree on a lot of things, but give me a creme brulee over a chocolate cake any day of the week. Stacia you can have your cheesecake.

A good cheesecake is great, sadly not all cheesecakes are created equal.

I'm not a big ice cream fan. Cake? Meh. Most pies aren't worth the trouble. Cheesecake isn't for me.

Favorites are flan, custard, punkin pie (you can keep the crust). Or just give me a Hershey bar. Fancy chocolate is a bore; I like mine in bulk.

Fresh Strawberry Shortcake is my fave.

I love Boston Cream Cake. It is, for me, the right combo of sweet chocolate, cold filling (pudding, I think) and sponge cake.

Thanks for reviving this one, LG. I'm going to have to do some serious multiple choice answers.

Favorite cake: My lemon pound cake or my mother's carrot cake

Favorite cookie: Jan Hagels made from a family recipe

Favorite pie: My mom's pecan pie, which sadly I cannot have any more. :(

Favorite chocolate: dark with add-ins like nuts, caramel, sea salt, etc.

Least favorite desserts: panna cotta and Crème brûlée are just Jell-O with cream, so ick.

Best dessert I've had so far: Strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries and meringues instead of biscuits.

For a dessert philosophy, I have to steal Jackie's! "Only eat the really good stuff. Leave the crappy store-bought cookies for the kids."

Favorite cake: Atwaters Market Dark & Stormy: it's pound cake with rum and molasses and ginger and a really subtle lime glaze.

Favorite cookie: Not sure. A good homemade mint chocolate chip cookie, maybe?

Favorite pie: Melktert/milk tart.

But really, I love pie. It's hard to pick a favorite. Fruit pies, nut pies, custard pies. I'll take 'em all.

Favorite chocolate: Something super-dark. Mint, toffee bits, peanut butter, hazelnut, seasalt, caramel, etc. are all welcome additions, but unnecessary.

Least favorite desserts: Anything with banana.

Best dessert I've had so far: I've had so many wonderful desserts. I don't know that I can narrow it down.

- What's the craziest flavor of ice cream/cake/cookies you've ever tried?
I've had some good crazy ice cream flavors. There's a place in Princeton that makes plum melon sorbet, which is outstanding. My favorite ice cream place makes key lime pie (with crust bits in it) and honey graham (which I wouldn't think I would love but I do) and cardamom (very strange but irrestistable) and salted caramel (out of this world).

Dessert philosophy: The first bite is the best bite. Every taste after that is just chasing the high. Therefore, taste everything and finish nothing.
I like Jackie's philosophy too.

I love pie too.

i love almost all ice cream, cake, cookies etc. except for anything that combines strawberries and dairy or anything strawberry-flavored, i only tolerate fresh strawberries.

Yes, Sarah Pi and Jim! Homemade pie is DIVINE. Sadly, most pie out there in the world is not homemade.

Suefly, I love Boston Cream Pie, which I think is the same as the cake you're talking about. But I haven't had it since I was a girl.

I'm with Jammies on the dark chocolate with stuff in it love. And Jammies, I would wrestle you to the ground for that strawberry shortcake/meringue dessert. Yum!

Yay, Jammies and Sarah Pi!
:::links arms with dessert philosophy sharing friends:::

I love homemade chocolate pecan pie.

Jackie, I had that dessert at a resort in Arizona, which may be the only place dry enough to make good meringues when strawberries are in season. *sigh* But if I ever manage to make it at home, I will share with you!

This is like Sophie's Choice, man.

At home I love making dark chocolate brownies, and my favorite ice cream is Cherry Garcia.

In a restaurant, I love Mimi's bread pudding with warm rum sauce. But they give you so much I have to share it with someone.

For holidays, I usually buy some pies from Marie Callender's or Polly's. Hof's Hut's Banberry rocks, too.

It's hard to exclude anything unless I'm allergic to it. Oh wait. I can't stand chocolate ice cream. I love chocolate. I love ice cream. I love chocolate chip ice cream. I love chocolate milk. But for some bizarre reason chocolate ice cream is yucky to me.

I love a good brownie packed with nuts. Also a pound cake soaked in some kind of liqueur (not a weird liqueur). Maybe rum. Not sure.

Aynge, I hate chocolate ice cream too. (Though I like chocolate milk and chocolate chips.)

I like peanut brittle/toffee brittle/nut brittle in general.

Lobstergirl wrote: "Mint Choc Chip"

That's called Peppermint Bon Bon and was my grandmother's favorite ice cream. I was told the name Peppermint Bon Bon is regional and it's called Mint Choc Chip in other parts of the country.

Michael wrote: "Lobstergirl wrote: "Mint Choc Chip"

That's called Peppermint Bon Bon and was my grandmother's favorite ice cream. I was told the name Peppermint Bon Bon is regional and it's called Mint Choc Chi..."
What part of the country is that? I've never heard that regionalism.