Unique Sweets

We take a bite out of some of the sweetest mash-ups in the Big Apple. Dominique Ansel shares his famous Cronut, as well as a new combination of two desserts that defies the laws of physics. At Butter and Scotch, old-fashioned pies and quenching cocktails collide with delicious results and Oddfellows proves that some of the most unique flavors can make ice cream even better.

There's no better way to start your day than with one of New York's most unique breakfast treats. At the legendary Doughnut Plant, Mark Isreal makes his signature square doughnuts and his sophisticated alternative to the doughnut hole. At Lafayette, one bite of their luscious creations transports you into a classic French bistro. Then it's off to Wafels & Dinges where they're taking wafels to a whole new level of deliciousness.

We found three San Francisco restaurants that stand out in this foodie paradise, beginning with Craftsman & Wolves where chef William Werner's attention to detail creates edible works of art like the Caramel Cube Cake that is actually spray-painted with pure chocolate and the creamy, frothy Sipping Caramel. At Ice Cream Bar owner Juliet Pries has crossed an old-timey soda fountain and flavor-forward creations like the peppery Tiny Bubbles Float and the butterscotchy Too Good To Be True Milkshake. Finally we visit Dandelion Chocolate, where customers can see their chocolate created from start to finish, then sample it in favorites like the Peanut Butter and Jelly Ganache Sandwich.

Portland is at the forefront of the food scene using local ingredients with a unique spin. Quin Candy is a perfect example making nostalgic sweets with a sophisticated twist using ingredients like marionberries and creamed infused with ground popcorn. The creator of Stumptown Coffee is behind the city's latest gem, the Roman Candle Baking Company. The delectable breakfast treats and artisanal pastries have the same attention to detail and quality that made the coffee such a success. Kyra's Bakeshop serves up indulgent cupcakes that are also gluten-free.

In this episode, childhood treats that are all grown up. In Portland, Ore., an ice cream shop adds cocktails to the mix-ins. In Healdsberg, Calif., the area's bountiful produce finds its way into hyper-seasonal cupcakes. And in New York, chocolate is eaten unroasted and raw, infused with some very sophisticated ingredients.

Across the country, doughnut shops are coming up with innovative new ways to reinvent this crowd favorite. In Portland, Ore., there's a place that specializes in grown up versions that feature bold glazes and boozy fillings. In New York, old-school mini doughnuts made fresh to order are all the rage with the 15 different kinds of flavored sugars that let you customize your own for a bite. And in San Francisco, a charming little doughnut shop has developed a loyal following thanks to their light, supple doughnut and seasonal, silky cream fillings.

We visit three hot spots of Seattle's food scene beginning with Fran's Chocolates, which pioneered European-style handmade confections when it opened in 1982 and is now a beloved Seattle institution. Dahlia Bakery is one of legendary Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas's creations and serves up some of the most incredible pie and doughnuts in the city. Finally we'll stop at Crumble & Flake, a tiny bakery taking familiar pastries to daring new directions.

Southern desserts are in a category all to their own, combining big bold flavors with deep tradition. Like at Sublime Doughnuts, where the doughnuts and fritters are made with a sweet potato dough and come in fun shapes with decadent flavor combinations. CamiCakes Creamery turns traditional Southern desserts like red velvet cake and lemon meringue pie into ice cream cake sandwiches. Pie Shop keeps with tradition and preserves the craft of pie making with favorites like Georgia Bourbon Pecan and Pineapple Chess Pie.

Today we're getting a sweet taste of Europe in the U.S.! In Atlanta the Little Tart Bakeshop rolls out decadently traditional French pastries. In New York City, the extremely popular Italian restaurant Maialino proves why you must save room for dessert. And finally, Nielsen's Pastries in Seattle serves some of the most delightful and unique Scandinavian treats, with recipes that have barely changed since its Danish owner settled there.

We're traveling the country in search of people giving classic sweets a modern and delicious makeover. In New York City, a charming little shop is putting a gourmet spin on the crispy rice treat, with flavors loved by children and adults alike. In Atlanta, the simple ice pop has been transformed into a frosty combination of real ingredients and unique textures. And in Seattle, there's a new take on the soda shop that serves amazing ice cream floats, made with the house's premium ice creams and their very own dessert beers.

We visit some of the eateries that satisfy the sweet cravings of Washington, D.C.'s power brokers. First stop: GBD, which stands for "Golden Brown Delicious" -- the perfect way to describe the unique doughnuts at this hotspot. At Cupcakes Actually, the shelves are stocked with 10 varieties of this sweet treat daily, including its signature dipped cupcakes. And we'll sample the refreshing artisan gelato at Dolcezza, which combines local ingredients, old-world methods, and innovative flavors.

We head north of the border to Toronto, Canada, where the childhood favorite of milk and cookies are taken to a whole new level at Moo Milk Bar, which offers a variety of classic and signature cookies that can be paired with their all-natural flavored milks. Glory Hole Doughnuts specializes in artisanal yeast doughnuts made with all-natural ingredients like the Lemon Ricotta Doughnut. Clafouti Patisserie is known for their exceptional croissants and we check out one of their inventive treats calleda crookie.

There's nothing better than the perfect cookie -- unless you take two of them and put some filling in between! At DC Patisserie they make delicate macaron with delicious American flavors. Milk Cult in Washington, D.C., has a true fan following for their unique ice cream sandwiches. And in New York, an art gallery/spice lab creates little sandwich cookies exploding with flavor.