15 Sweet Dessert Places Around Los Angeles

Erynn:  Moms will no doubt enjoy the "punny" name, but everyone in the family will appreciate the range of cakes and pastries that include vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free selections.

Kids can enjoy a delicious and no-fuss cupcake, cookie, or muffin, while parents are more apt to explore more refined sweets like eclairs, cannolis, and cream puffs.

Erynn:  Formerly Something Sweet by Serina, this shop is a Riverside-grown staple that began in 2013. Serina has created not only delicious cupcake flavors (try Lemon Lavender or Dutch Apple), but also a cozy and welcoming shop where kids' sweet dreams come true. Of course, the comfy and inviting reading nook has earned its share of fans as well- kids and parents can relax with a book off the expansive shelves.

Erynn:  Not all cookies are created equal- just ask your kids- but Riverside Cookie Shoppe knows it. They showcase 21 flavors of cookies (only one is vegan- a chocolate chip flavor) from Campfire to Salted Caramel Nutella, and none disappoint. Of course, the Shoppe's goal is to create the ideal cookie with a soft center and crispy edges, and we'd agree their cookies are unforgettable.

Gina I.:  Hand-crafted from quality ingredients, it's easy to see why people keep coming back for these delicious treats. A family run establishment, you'll enjoy excellent service along with their wonderful assortment of donuts that taste as good as they look! They also make specialty donuts for the holidays, with colorful designs kids love!

Gina I.:  Donuts aren't just for breakfast when you visit KD's Donuts! In fact, anytime is a good time for one of these sweet treats! Choose from one of their delicious varieties and enjoy it with a cup of coffee, or treat the kids (and yourself) to their famous Donut Ice Creams! They'll scoop your ice cream right on top of your favorite donut or make it an ice cream sandwich. Yum!

Alexandra F.:  Growing up my entire family would gladly drive the hour it took to get to the original Porto's in Glendale, because their Cuban sandwiches, potato balls and especially their flaky guava and cheese pastries were just that good. Fast forward a couple decades or three, and word has obviously spread. Southern Californians are now lucky enough to have several Porto's locations from which to choose. Lines are still as long as I remember from when I was a kid, but trust me, the guava and cheese pastries are worth the wait.

Gina I.:  Are your kiddos crazy about Halloween? Then they'll love Zombee Donuts! From their 'Famous Eyeball' donut made with red velvet & white swirled cake and a chocolate ganache donut hole in the middle to their 'Zombee Mascot,' a glazed zombie shaped donut with a jelly-filled head, they offer a variety of festive sweet treats that wow both kids and adults alike! If 'spooky' donuts aren't your thing; not to worry! They have a delicious assortment of sweet, colorfully frosted donuts, perfect for any occasion, as well as a large variety of vegan donuts.

Gina I.:  With their vibrantly colored frosting and festive sprinkles, your kids will go wild for Duck's Donuts! Family owned for more than 20 years, Duck's Donuts offers a large assortment of donuts, as well as 'letter' donuts so you can send a sweet message for those special occasions. Best of all, these deliciously colorful creations are available around the clock.

Gina I.:  Is your family in donut rut? Look no further than Sidecar Doughnuts! Not only are they on a mission to serve "the world's freshest doughnuts", but their menu is always changing, featuring new and innovative varieties both on a daily and monthly rotation. In addition, they offer a different gluten free option each week. So, you can go again, and again, and again!

Gina I.:  Whether you're a donut traditionalist and prefer the classic varieties like Old Fashioned, Blueberry & French Cruller or like to take a walk on the wild side with Red Velvet, Créme Brûlée or Salted Caramel doughnuts, you'll love what the Donuttery has to offer! Kids love the fun flavors like PB&J and Strawberry Nutella, and they even have a large assortment of vegan donuts. There's often a wait so be prepared!

Parents love taking their family to eat at Donut Friend because they're known for their signature doughnut creations which include fresh fruit or fresh jam sandwiched between two glazed doughnuts and topped with almonds, nuts, or sprinkled with chocolate, coconut, or bacon bits and more. You wouldn't know it by looking at the decadent doughnuts, but they're all made without eggs, honey, dairy, or any animal products making it the perfect shop for Vegans to enjoy something sweet without having to sacrifice taste.

Erynn:  Craving a traditional Mexican pan dulce or other dessert? This casual sweet spot has you covered- and they even sell breakfast and lunch items. The highlight, however, is the selection of bakery items, including conchas (shell-shaped sweet breads), cookies, cakes (dulce de leche and tres leches, to name two!), tarts, flans, and more.

And for parents- grab a latte to wash it all down- they have flavors like horchata and mint agave.

Doughnuts topped with pink icing and fruit loops, chocolate and chunks of Reese's cups, and customized donuts made with the toppings of your choice, make California Donuts a winner for doughnut lovers. Kiddos love the panda donut that comes with sweet vanilla icing and Oreo cookies for ears. Have a birthday, promotion, or special occasion to celebrate? With advance notice, California Donuts can whip up a batch of custom celebratory word donuts, too!

Erynn:  If your family has food allergies or simply strong preferences, you'll love this spot. Every menu item is dairy free, egg free, soy free, and gluten free- making it easy to pick up sweet yet healthy (and safe) treats for everyone.

The menu includes items like vegan soft serve, cupcakes and cakes, donuts, loaves, cookies, crumb cake, muffins, brownies, and more! Plus, you can feel good allowing the kids to order whatever their hearts desire.

For families who want to indulge in doughnuts but don't like that most doughnuts are fried, Fonuts offers a selection of doughnuts that are baked or steamed but never fried; they also have a selection of vegan and gluten-free doughnuts and use only natural ingredients.