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Comforts Cafe in downtown San Anselmo offers a wide array of sweet treats.
Comforts Cafe in downtown San Anselmo offers a wide array of sweet treats.
(Amelia Driver)
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Worth the dough: Ranking Marin’s best desserts

With so many sweet treats, choosing the ideal one can be challenging, especially with the wide variety in Marin. Each bakery offers something different, making it difficult to decide which dessert stands out. For dessert lovers, finding something that balances flavor, texture, and quality requires effort, but it is achievable. 

Comforts Cafe’s raspberry chocolate mousse cake features a layer of rich chocolate ganache and a raspberry on top. (Asha Andrews)

Comforts raspberry chocolate mousse cake: 

Comforts Cafe in San Anselmo offers a raspberry chocolate mousse cake, which is a small yet visually impressive dessert. The cake features a soft, spongy texture topped with a smooth layer of rich ganache and a raspberry for decor. It has a perfect chocolate flavor, neither too rich nor too sweet. While this dessert is enjoyable, it doesn’t live up to the “raspberry” in its name, as the raspberry flavor wasn’t a prominent feature. This mousse cake should feature a raspberry filling, which would complement the delightful ganache. Visually, the mousse cake is both elegant and appealing. Overall, it stands out as one of the best sweet treats at Comforts, earning it three out of five feathers. 

Redhill Bakery Cronut:

Red Hill Bakery’s cronut pairs a soft, buttery flavor with a light glaze. (Asha Andrews)

The cronut from Redhill Bakery in San Anselmo is the perfect mix between a croissant and a donut. The simple, buttery flavor pairs perfectly with the pastry’s light glaze and soft, fluffy texture. While the flavors are prominent, its appearance is not especially eye-catching, and adding sprinkles or other flavor variations would’ve helped to make it more visually exciting. The cronut appeals to a wide range of people because it’s unique and brings two delicious treats into one, which is both approachable and highly appetizing. Ultimately, the cronut is a well-rounded pastry worth trying for anyone looking for a satisfying treat, which earns it a solid four out of five feathers.

Johnny Doughnuts Zebra Donut: 

At Johnny Doughnuts in Larkspur, the zebra donut is a simple yet delightful pastry, known for its sweetness and silky texture. It’s topped with a smooth vanilla glaze and finished with a zig-zagging chocolate drizzle, which creates the “zebra” pattern. The donut is very sweet, which could be a downside for some, but the combination of chocolate and vanilla glaze adds a pleasant balance of flavors. While it may not be the most unique donut on the menu, it’s a reliable option for anyone looking for a simple yet satisfying sweet treat, earning it three out of five feathers. 

Johnny Doughnuts’ zebra donut and Flour Craft Bakery’s raspberry scone are two standout local dessert options. (Asha Andrews)

Flour Craft Bakery Raspberry Scone:

Flour Craft Bakery in San Anselmo offers a lovely, crumbly gluten-free raspberry scone that surpasses expectations. The dough has a soft texture that melts in your mouth. Throughout the scone, the raspberry is clearly visible, but its flavor is more subtle. The almonds on top balance the scone by adding a little crunch, making a not overly sugary sweet treat. Altogether, this is a favorite among most Flour Craft customers and a must-have everyday sweet, deserving of four out of five feathers.

Coffee Roastery Pecan Bar:

From Coffee Roastery in Fairfax, the pecan bar may not stand out at first glance. However, the flavor quickly makes up for its modest looks. The bar has a crumbly texture that resembles an apple pie, but still holds its shape. The pecan toppings create a balanced texture with the sweet, gooey filling at the center of the layers. Beneath it all, the crust is light and buttery, adding a rich base that ties the dessert together. Despite its plain appearance, the simple yet delicious taste makes it easy to enjoy — it was one of the best desserts we tried, earning it five out of five feathers.

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