Juliette Deutsch, co-editor-in-chief

The Cronut is a simple yet decadent concept, of a hybrid of a croissant and a doughnut. The pastry has quite literally taken over the food scene through social media. Pastry chef upon pastry chef have tried to recreate this delectable offering. However, the dessert mastermind behind the Cronut, Chef Dominique Ansel, has trademarked his treat and still keeps the line at his Soho New York bakery out the door. Ansel, however is not a one-hit-wonder when it comes to pastries. Ansel was classically trained in Paris at Fauchon bakery for seven years before coming to New York and branding his name through his own high-end patisserie. Ansel uses the simplest of ingredients that are required in making a croissant and doughnut, and has turned it into something truly extraordinary. The Dominique Ansel Bakery creates only one Cronut flavor per month. September`s flavor is a luscious Bosc Pear and Sage Cream that is mixed with Citrus Sugar. However, Ansel creates special flavors for the fall months which include a refreshing Fig Mascarpone with Apple Creme Fraiche for October and a sweet and salty Dulce de Leche for November. The Cronuts are made fresh daily and retail for $5.00. Ansel recently launched his own twist on two classic American treats. The Cookie Shot is a delicious combination of smooth chocolate chip cookie dough shaped to resemble a shot glass. The baked cookie dough is lined with chocolate ganache and filled with a vanilla bean infused milk. The Vanilla Milk can also be bought separately to the Cookie Shot. The Frozen S’more is a custard ice cream center that is covered with crispy chocolate wafer chips and enrobed in a modified frozen marshmallow. The creation is presented on a apple-wood smoked tree branch and torched to order to resemble the burnt effect of a s`more. Dominique Ansel proves truly to be a master of his craft. Ansel`s creation of The Cronut has changed the food scene forever. For all of you LA foodies, you can get your hands on a Cronut, Frozen S’more and Cookie Shot by visiting the Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York. Cronuts are also available to order from the Dominique Ansel Website.