Autumn officially begins this week, although it may be difficult to notice a difference in the Coachella Valley with temperatures still hovering in the triple-digit range.
But where you begin to feel fall’s beginnings is in the dessert menus at area restaurants.
Here are 5 we picked to set the mood:
Sherman’s Deli
Aptly honored as their cake of the month for October, the Pear Glazed Honey Cake gives a fresh update to this traditional food offered at the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. The dish usually served in a single loaf has been transformed into a cake made with coffee, brown sugar, lots of honey, pears and a sesame seed crusted circumference.
73161 Country Club Drive, D2, Palm Desert
760-568-1350
www.shermansdeli.com
Over the Rainbow
Campfire s’mores can be a little blasé, so ditch the fire roaster sticks and visit Chef Blas and Ken Kempa’s retail store for a Bourbon Pumpkin S’mores Pie. A chocolate graham cracker crust covered with dark 72 percent chocolate is the base for a spiced pumpkin filling, a blend of black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and well-aged bourbon, with a burnt marshmallow meringue and a chocolate and caramel drizzle.
1775 E Palm Canyon Dr. #150., Palm Springs
760-322-2253
http://romanblas.com
La Quinta Baking Co.
Caramel is always a favorite flavor of fall and the La Quinta Baking Co. has created a delectable Chocolate Cake that highlights this gooey goodness. Sink your fork into layers of chocolate mousse filling and come up for a rich caramel glaze topping. Leave room for the caramelized apples and crystallized vanilla bean perched above the glaze.
78-395 Highway 111, La Quinta
760-777-1699
www.laquintabaking.com
Pastry Swan Bakery’s The Fix, a Dessert House
The valley’s prized dessert house invites you to “Come Taste the Difference,” with a fun and fresh S’Mores Cupcake. This cupcake pairs Pastry Swan’s decadent chocolate cake with a buttery graham cracker crust, an imported chocolate ganache filling, and an Italian meringue butter cream, melted chocolate and roasted marshmallow topping. Also pictured, Key Lime and Red Velvet cupcakes.
78-580 El Paseo, Palm Desert
760-340-3040
www.pastryswan.com
Crave
Pumpkin is that quintessential flavor that lets everyone know what season they are in. Crave is using that seasonal favorite with the introduction of the Pumpkin Crème Brûlée. Perfectly creamy pumpkin custard is gently infused with holiday spices and then topped with a caramelized brittle of muscovado sugar.
301 N. Palm Canyon Drive, #200, Palm Springs
760-322-2322
www.craveps.com
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