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Sweets

Yes, vegetarians, even vegans, like sweets.  No, I do not eat an apple for dessert.  Sorry Mom.  I tried all these out so you don't have to -- that's why I'm fat and you lovely readers are presumably not.  All winners are, of course, subjective.

Best Cupcakes:  Georgetown Cupcake.  Hate to honor this tourism trap but they truly earn their cred.  Sprinkles is a good runner-up.  Sorry, the gargantuan cupcakes at Baked and Wired are just "too much."

Best Chocolate Croissant:  Best Buns.  Absolutely no competition.

Best Cakes/Individual Desserts:  Randolph's Pastries.  Hands down.  I can recognize their treats blindfolded.

Best Macarons:  Bakeshop.  With the added benefit of Taro Root offerings now and then.

Best Pie:  Pie Sisters.  Try the Key Lime.

Best Donut:  This one is tough.  For a somewhat lower guilt factor, go for the small, very affordable cake varieties at Duck Donut.  For a traditional cardiovascular threat, it really has to be Krispy Kreme.

Best Banana Pudding (?):  It's a trick question.  The new Magnolia Bakery at Union Station claims to have the best Banana Pudding "in the world".  And it's amazing.  But it's not technically pudding.  It's really Banana Bread Pudding mixed into copious amounts of whipped cream.

Best Chocolate:  This is problematic.  There are several good local chocolatiers of note, from Kingsbury to Godiva, but I'm not a fan of top-rated Artisan Confections.  To be honest, I get most of my chocolate fix from NYC chocolatiers.  For hot chocolate, for instance, go to Mariebelle.  Which brings me to ...

Best Cookies:  Try the Kayak cookies at Teaism.  Or order Chocolate Chip cookies online from Jacques Torres in NYC.  Orgasmic.

Best Creme Brulee:  Once upon a time I went on a city-wide search to find the best Creme Brulee in DC.  And I found it at a charming little cafe in Alexandria.  Which then closed.  So, I don't have a favorite at the moment but am very open to suggestions.

Best Beignet:  Duh.  Bayou Bakery.

It's okay to have dessert.  No one will ever say, at your funeral, that they admired your willpower in saying no.  That being said, all things in moderation, yes?

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