Sweet Treats

What’s a meal without dessert? From time to time, it is important to indulge. There are so many special places in the Southwest to grab a sweet treat, from classics like candies, cakes and pies to handmade ice cream and bean-to-bar chocolate.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED

Animas Chocolate Company

is a small artisan chocolate shop that sources fair trade, organic cocoa beans and pure cane sugar to craft bean-to-bar chocolates in the storefront at 920 Main Ave. The employees make handcrafted chocolate bars and bark, novelty chocolate lollipops, ice cream toppings, chocolate-covered potato chips and over 20 different varieties of truffles. Visit the chocolate bar for a special dessert wine and chocolate pairing.

On the other hand, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is a Durango-based international franchisor. Workers handcraft chocolate confections using copper kettles and marble cooling slabs at the factory in Bodo Industrial Park and in their stores across the U.S. They make a wide variety of molded chocolates, candies, truffles and assorted chocolatecovered goods, as well as oldfashioned fudge and gourmet candy apples.

SUGAR RUSH

Chocolate isn’t the only sweet treat made the old-fashioned way. Fuzziwig’s is an old-fashioned candy store located at 680 Main Ave. in Durango that carries fresh fudge in a variety of flavors. The store also sells handmade chocolates, as well as candy by the pound. The shelves are always stocked with brightly colored candies which include everything from handmade gumdrops and taffies to popular brands like PEZ and M&M. They also carry novelty candies and gift boxes.

Colorado visitors won’t have to wait until August to indulge in a deep-fried county fair classic. Located in Silverton at 1249 Greene St., Rocky Mountain Funnel Cake Factory creates flavorful funnel cakes topped with incredible ingredients. There are over 20 combinations of toppings all made-to-order, including the signature strawberry cheesecake and pineapple upside-down cake.

CUP OR CONE?

Cream Bean Berry is a modern ice cream parlor at 1021 Main Ave. in Durango that creates some of the most spectacular flavors. Every batch is made from scratch daily with high-quality ingredients. In addition to classic flavors like vanilla bean and Belgium chocolate, some signature flavors are featured seasonally, including salted caramel, honey lavender, blackberry crisp and pumpkin spice. Guests can order ice cream by the scoop in a cone or cup, or get a pint to go. The menu also includes specialty items such as shakes, sundaes and ice cream sandwiches made with homemade cookies.

In the mood for mix-ins like M&Ms and Oreos? The Pine Cone at 271 N. Mountain View Drive in Bayfield is a classic diner that serves traditional burgers, chicken strips and sandwiches with sides like fries, onion rings and mushrooms. The hidden gem is the signature shredder, which comes in four sizes and 9 flavor options. The local restaurant also offers softserve ice cream, shakes, malts and floats.

DESSERT FOR BREAKFAST

Several bakeries serve up coffee and pastries to guests, but specialty desserts keep customers coming back for more. Serious Delights, located inside Nature’s Oasis at 200 S. Camino del Rio, is a bakery that serves cinnamon rolls, muffins, scones and cookies as well as chocolate mousse, key lime tart, raspberry cheesecake, cherry pie, carrot cake, tiramisu and lemon bars.

For the best cookies and cupcakes in the region, visit The Yellow Carrot at 3026 Main Ave. in Durango. The bakery and restaurant bakes and serves 18 cupcake flavors and 15 types of cookies daily. The bakery carries classic cake flavors like red velvet and carrot as well as specialty flavors like tiramisu, midnight mint fudge and blackberry key lime. For visitors with special dietary restrictions, many cupcake and cookie recipes at The Yellow Carrot are gluten-free.