A Few of My Favorite Things: Top Sweets in Hawaii

Since I can’t jet to Hawaii to enjoy its “ono grinds” as often as I’d like, I relish the opportunities to help friends plan their own trips and live vicariously through them. Thanks to its tropical climate and and melting pot culture, Hawaii is home to an array of unique sweets and, given my sweet tooth, I love steering people straight to them.

Here’s my list of the top ten sweets on Oahu that you can’t miss.

1) Shave Ice

Eh, braddah, dis not one “snow cone”! Shave ice is a quintessentially Hawaiian treat and consists of very finely shaved, fluffy ice topped with flavored syrups. While Matsumoto Shave Ice on the North Shore is the most iconic shave ice shop, you can also get your fix at the equally ono Waiola Shave Ice, Shimazu Store or Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha (owned by an alum of both my high school AND USC, nbd). President Obama, however, prefers Island Snow Hawaii in Kailua. My favorite flavor combo is liliko’i (passionfruit), Blue Hawaii (blend of coconut and vanilla) and Melona (creamy honeydew) with a “snow cap” (drizzles of condensed milk).

2) Malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery

Via istargazer

A trip to Hawaii would be incomplete without a stop at Leonard’s Bakery for a malasada (or twelve). Open since 1952, Leonard’s is the go-to spot for airy Portuguese malasadas, which are deep-fried balls of dough rolled in sugar and cinnamon. In addition to the classic version, Leonard’s also offers malasadas filled with custards in flavors such as chocolate, haupia (coconut) and mango.

3) Coco Puffs from Liliha Bakery

Simply stated, coco puffs are like crack. At first glance, the coco puff seems simple– a buttery puff pastry filled with creamy chocolate and topped with a swirl of chantilly– but I’ve yet to meet a single person who wasn’t addicted after his or her first bite. In fact, I have a huge tupperware container of these stashed in my freezer that I refuse to touch because, well, then they’d be gone. There’s a reason Liliha Bakery sells between 4,800 and 7,200 of these bad boys every day.

4) Mochi Ice Cream at Bubbie’s Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts

You’re likely familiar with mochi (Japanese rice cakes) but meet its delectable cousin: mochi ice cream from Bubbie’s Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts. In these brightly colored, palm-sized bites, a thin layer of mochi enrobes ice cream in both classic flavors like strawberry and vanilla as well as tropical ones like guava and mango. I suggest you pass on the run-of the-mill flavors and go for the unique ones.

Side note: Despite being a completely family-friendly shop, they’re also known for having some really NSFW dessert names…

5) Tropical Drinks at Duke’s Waikiki

Nothing screams “tourist” like a slice of pineapple and an umbrella in your drink, but even this island native likes to indulge in a little kitsch sometimes. Situated right on Waikiki Beach with a clear view of Diamond Head, the iconic Duke’s Waikiki is a choice spot to sip on a mai tai or pina colada.

6) Hawaiian-Inspired Pancakes

Via In Search of Breakfast

On the island, even our pancakes are Hawaiian. Shake off your Duke’s hangover and brave the breakfast lines at Bogart’s Cafe, Boots and Kimo’s, or Cinnamon’s Restaurant to sample taro pancakes, banana macadamia nut pancakes with mac nut sauce, or guava chiffon pancakes (pictured above), respectively.

7) Pie from Ted’s Bakery

Located on the North Shore near Sunset Beach, Ted’s Bakery serves up decadent and silky pies in flavors such as Chocolate Haupia Cream (pictured above), Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cream, Strawberry Guava, and Liliko’i Cheese. If you can’t make the trek out to the North Shore, a handful of Ted’s most popular flavors are also available for sale at most Foodland grocery stores.

8) Ono Pops

Ono Pops uses local, organic ingredients to create surprising flavors of popsicles that pay tribute to both the Mexican paleta and Hawaiian flavors. With offerings like Pineapple Li Hing, Guava Tamarind, Liliko’i Cheesecake and Starfruit Lemongrass, these are not the boring popsicles of your youth. As a guava fiend, I sampled and loved the Guava Chiffon Ono Pop (pictured above), whose clean and pure flavors blew me away. Find them at farmers’ markets and shops around the island (list can be found here).

9) Madre Chocolate

Organic, fair-trade Madre Chocolate is crafted bean-to-bar in Honolulu and strives to connect consumers to not only the cultural heritage of the product but also to its farmers and makers. During my last trip, I visited their stand at the Haleiwa Farmers’ Market during and picked up a few bars of Triple Cacao, Hawaiian Passionfruit, and Pink Peppercorn & Smoked Salt. After promptly eating those, I’m eager to try their Hibiscus and Coconut & Caramelized Ginger next.

10) Liliko’i Creme Brulee from Side Street Inn

Side Street Inn, a divey hole-in-the-wall with neon signs and dart boards, is one of Hawaii’s true local gems. Dinner at Side Street Inn is a tradition of every visit home and would be incomplete without their liliko’i creme brulee. Here, Side Street infuses its rich, creamy creme brulee with tart passionfruit, and the result is pure dessert heaven.

A Few of My Favorite Things: Macaron-Inspired Miscellany

I’m hard-pressed to come up with a dessert that’s cuter than the bite-sized, brightly-colored macaron. Not to be confused with your Bubbe’s macaroons, a French macaron consists of flavored filling sandwiched between two meringue-based cookies. Macarons have become rather trendy of late and are making an appearance in adorable non-edible forms, which I’ve been snatching up.

If you’re also a Laduree-lover (or ‘Lette…or Bottega Louie…or Pierre Herme…), here’s how you can get your fix:

These tea towels (set of 3, Paper Source) really brighten up the kitchen. I’m using them for decorative purposes only, of course! I couldn’t stand to dirty them.

This lip gloss (also Paper Source) may be thicker than my powder compact, but its cute factor more than makes up for the space it takes up in my make-up bag. The lip gloss is a sheer, shimmery pink that’s perfect on its own for a natural look or can top another color to add sheen.

The piece de resistance, however, of my recent macaron-related purchases is this dainty box (Urban Outfitters). These macaron boxes have been sold out for months (frustrating me to no end) so, now that they’re back in stock, I ordered a few, and they’re great jewelry holders and a lovely addition to my bedroom tray.

What other food-inspired trinkets do you love?