Tame the Savage Sweet Tooth

When dessert sounds just right…

After a day spent walking the waterfront or navigating the historical treasure trove that is Charleston proper, sometimes a meal—even a thoroughly delectable meal—isn't enough. Nothing stirs the tastebuds like the salty sea air, and what's the natural recourse to a savory-sated tongue? Why, sugary treats, of course!

When blood sugar is bottoming out, there are a number of locally owned sweets peddlers ready to put the pep back in a step. Whether it's a quick after-dinner scoop or cone or a between-meals cupcake or cookie you're after, once the craving hits, there are plenty of ways to make those visions of sugarplums a reality.

On a hot summer day there's no more perfect way to ward off the humidity than gelato—the denser, more flavorful cousin of American ice cream. The glass cases at Paolo's Gelato and Gelateria Modica present a rainbow of choices, ranging from colorful milk-free, fruit-based selections that change with the season to sinfully rich chocolaty, nutty flavors.

Any true dessert fan knows that frozen delicacies make up but a small fraction of the available options. In the last five years, a number of bakeries and confectioneries have opened in and around Charleston, each with mouthwatering pastries available for the discerning traveler.

The newly opened Baked, run by a pair of New York City natives who dub themselves "dessert experts," makes cakes, cupcakes, tarts and pies to order, but the must-try item at Baked is the homemade marshmallow, available in vanilla, chocolate and/or rotating flavors like lemon, peppermint and coconut.

If a cake sounds like too much but a cookie's just not enough, perhaps one of Cupcake's 20+ varieties will do. From Red Velvet to Cotton Candy to Key Lime, each one has a hearty swirl of frosting atop a freshly baked mini-cake.

A few blocks over from Cupcake, on Cannon Street, another couple of NYC transplants opened Sugar, a cozy, cheerful storefront with the overhanging branches providing a welcome respite from the sunshine (or the rain). Sugar's got cupcakes, too, and plenty of them, along with brownies, cakes, tarts and cookies.

In addition to stores specializing in sweets, two of Charleston's most celebrated restaurants offer the chance to round out a meal or stop by for an after-dinner treat. Among traditional desserts like crème brûlée and Meyer lemon meringue pie, Cypress offers a creative spin on a "chocolate covered cherry"—flourless chocolate cake served with cherry mascarpone mousse and cherry and chocolate sorbet.

A few blocks over, Peninsula Grill's indulgent coconut cake, based on a recipe that Executive Chef Robert Carter adopted from his grandmother, has earned raves from The New York Times and Bon Appétit, and for good reason: it's 12 scrumptious layers of pound cake, buttercream icing and toasted coconut.

Before dinner, after dinner, for dinner: There's rarely a wrong time for dessert.

Get a complete list of Charleston's restaurants.

Photos by (from top to bottom): Matthew Scott (2) and Rick McKee/Cypress Cookbook (2).

The Audubon Gallery Not just a gallery, but a Charleston destination since 1987. Located in the heart of the antique district The Audubon Gallery is the only local gallery to specialize in the finest Natural History and Sporting Art from the 17th - 20th centuries. A sportsmans paradise with a fantastic selection of paintings, etchings, limited edition fine art prints, antique wildfowl decoys and wood carvings by local artisans. Audubon's "Birds of America", Natural History Art by Besler, Redouté, Clark, Benson and many others. Contact Joel Oppenheimer Inc., The Natural History Art Gallery.

McCrady's Inventive cuisine. Fresh from the farm. Named one of the Top Ten Restaurants in North America by Opinionated About Dining. McCrady's Restaurant, located in an historic 1778 Georgian public house, offers an award-winning dining experience with the best of new Southern cuisine. Chef Sean Brock was awarded the 2010 James Beard Best Chef Southeast for his talented mix of modern skills and classic antebellum recipes. Sensationally presented dishes one of Charleston's most extensive wine lists. Private dining available in the spectacular Long Room, Gallery, Chef's Room or Cypress Room.

Bernie Horton Gallery A native of rural North Carolina now living at the edge of the marsh, Bernie Horton paints fine art originals reflecting the beauty of his surroundings --- most recognized for his light-filled lowcountry landscapes, marshes, beaches and people. Bernie captures the moods and emotions of all the different seasons and times of day. Each painting is approached from an impressionistic standpoint, yet to the eye, they have a realistic quality because of his concentration on perspective, proportion and attention to detail. Visit or find Bernie Horton Gallery on Facebook.