Best Summertime Desserts

As summer approaches, the line outside the local frozen yogurt shop grows ever longer. But if you are someone who wants to experience summer desserts beyond the ice cream scoop, then look no further as we run down the top five places in Sacramento to enjoy summertime desserts. The establishments below offer the best options for fruit-based desserts; whether it comes in the form of a pie or a popsicle, these places have some of the tastiest treats you can find.

(credit: ettores.com)

Ettore's European Bakery & Restaurant
2376 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 482-0708
www.ettores.comEttore's European Bakery & Restaurant is the place to go for miniature desserts. You may be wondering why anyone would want their dessert to be "miniature," but the answer is simply "so you can eat more of them." Sometimes you are in the mood for a succulent and sweet fruit tart, but cannot justify eating the entire thing yourself. If a craving strikes, try Ettore's Mini Fruit Tarts, which have fresh fruit and toasted almonds piled on top of pastry cream-filled, chocolate-coated, buttery cookie shells. If you are looking for a chocolaty dessert to pair with your mini pastry, try the mini raspberry and chocolate meringue cups.

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Sometimes you crave fruit and sometimes you crave fruit dipped in chocolate. If you desire the latter, Frozen In Time Treats is the best place in Sacramento for classic desserts and chocolate-dipped fruit. Some of the highlights of the menu include chocolate banana chips and chocolate-dipped strawberries, but this establishment also offers homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches, ice cream bon-bons and Hawaiian shaved ice. If you are feeling incredibly decadent and ice cream just won't cut it, order the chocolate-dipped cheesecake, which is a guilty pleasure everyone should enjoy in their lifetime.

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Sugar and Spice not only offers delicious cakes, cupcakes and pies, but also creative tarts, cake pops and mini creme brulees. Its newest dessert, peach melba, is an incredible combination of peaches, raspberries, raspberry caramel, sweet cream and pistachios. This dessert will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied. If you are craving a dessert reminiscent of your childhood, then try the s'mores tarts, which will please your inner child without the need for a bonfire.

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If you are in the mood for something different, head to BAMBU for chè, which is a Vietnamese-style sweet beverage or dessert. While BAMBU offers over 100 drinks to choose from, its dessert drinks are a unique blend of flavors and textures all held together in a convenient cup. If you are unsure of what to order but are craving fruit, try the chè trái cây (also known as Number 6). This sweet treat combines longan fruit, lychee, jackfruit and young coconut with red tapioca, palm seed, jello and pandan jelly to create a treat unlike any other.

DavePops is a truly one-of-a-kind dessert. While most ice cream is milk based, DavePops are made out of whole fruit, soy milk or are water based, depending on your taste and dietary preferences. The popsicles are delicious and rich, but are not ice cream based; instead DavePops relies on a technique called "duBle'" where bananas are used as the base to create a sweet and creamy texture. For those who are diabetic, DavePops also offers LukePops, which are sweetened with Splenda. DavePops can be found at Cesar Chavez Park on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at McClatchy Park every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you want to try a pie on a stick, order the apple pie oat crust, which will not disappoint.

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Megan Bowyer is a freelance writer in search of the best food and drinks that Sacramento has to offer. You can find her at any number of dive bars or trendy restaurants; just look for the short blonde feeding the jukebox. Her work can be found at "Examiner.com"