The Sweet Side of Vegas!

I couldn’t go to Vegas and not explore its sweet side! Even though a bit more informally and just popping in and out of each shop, buying a few things here and there made this trip even sweeter. I love that almost every hotel has a pastry shop/cupcake shop/chocolate shop/cafe where guests can refresh themselves with a jolt of caffeine and pastry. Chef Jean Phillipe has a shop in Aria and the Bellagio, both amazing sites to set your eyes on. You can find his treats at http://www.jpchocolates.com/

At the Bellagio, Jean Phillipe also has achieved the World’s Largest Chocolate Fountain, an amazing display of constantly flowing chocolate. Amazing to witness!

In the Monte Carlo Hotel is “The Cupcakery“, a cute bakery! Cupcakes of course being their forte, the variety is huge and I found my favorite: Coco Frauline! Quoted from their site “Dark chocolate cake stuffed full of traditional German Chocolate goodies… creamy coconut and pecan gooeyness. The little darling is covered with 5 layers of chocolate ganache and rolled in crushed Texas pecans. A must for any chocolate connoisseur or nut lover.” You can check out their site at http://www.thecupcakerycorp.com/

 In Caesar’s Palace, the great master Payard resides. Francois Payard is a world renowned pastry chef and cookbook author. This shop blew my mind! I knew Payard is known for his Macaroons, so I knew I had to try them. Scouring the shelves, I don’t see them! AH! I turned to ask the counter person and what do you know? He was just bringing out a sheet tray filled with a rainbow of fresh macaroons!!! Just my luck! I bought:

-Macaroons (chocolate, coconut, pistachio, passion fruit, strawberry): they were text book perfect and the fillings were intensely flavored. My favorite? Passion Fruit and Chocolate. “Small round cookies with a crunchy but soft shell made with almond flour, sugar and egg whites, and filled with a creamy ganache.”-Payard

-Marshmallow Stick: Not your regular marshmallow, but COCA COLA flavored marshmallow. It was great to try this creation, very much like drinking a Coke.

-Almonds: “handmade Almond Givrettes, are caramelized almonds roasted to a golden crunch, coated in 74% dark chocolate, and lightly dusted in powdered sugar.”-Payard. These crunchy almonds were (and still are) delicious! The roasting makes them even better, and the coatings are light and thin, nothing too chunky. Very delicate…

-Caramels: a 4 piece set of caramels I still have not gotten into yet but surely will soon enough!

 Max Brenner, the Bald Man. A chocolate shop/restaurant found in various cities in the US, Max Brenner is a great stop to just feel inspire by all of his colorful packaging, inventive truffles and free tastings! I didn’t get anything edible but got their “Hug Mug”. I swear, I’m obsessed with the idea of this! Specially designed for the hot chocolate drinking ceremony, it is shaped to fit perfectly between both hands. A cold night on the couch and just sipping from this mug is an ideal winter night. I leave you with a colorful display of all the Las Vegas sweetness I encountered. Enjoy and go back something sweet!