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When coming to campus, options are everywhere. Where to live, who to spend time with, what to wear, and where to go for a treat. The Ben and Jerry’s and Michigan Creamery are obvious options, but the city has many more desserts to offer than just the State Street ice cream shops. Ann Arbor may not be explicitly known for dessert, but this read may change your mind.

Moka & Co.: Although Moka & Co. is technically a coffee joint, they have dessert menu options that literally take the cake! The menu is made up of espresso, cold brew, iced coffee, matcha, tea, refreshers, and assorted baked goods. The baked goods rotate, and visiting them in person would be the best option. Notable mentions are croissants, milk cake, and cheesecake! The cheesecake is perfection, and the milk cake is a great option if you are looking for something new. Milk cake is a cake soaked in flavored milk, a bit similar to how tiramisu is soaked in coffee. Regardless, Moka & Co. has great coffee and outstanding dessert options!

House of Chimney Cakes: Self-dubbed the most “Instagrammable” cafe in Downtown Ann Arbor, House of Chimney Cakes is sure to be a treat! The traditional European dessert is made of a hand-spun, warm dough cone filled with ice cream and topped with anything imaginable. They have sweet and savory chimney cake options, as well as much more to offer. The cafe boasts coffees, espressos, refreshers, açaí bowls, and Nutella strawberry cups. In the heart of downtown, House of Chimney Cakes is sure to have something for everyone.

On-campus Dining Halls: Students with meal plans don’t have to go far to enjoy a special treat. You can find ice cream, pastries, muffins, and more. Plus, you don’t want to miss the cookies at the MoJo (Mosher-Jordan) dining hall.

Bodega Bros: Even if you have heard of Bodega Bros before, you may not know about their plentiful dessert options. Recently, they began serving the TikTok viral “Dubai Chocolate Bar,” which is a milk chocolate bar filled with pistachios and knafeh. Knafeh is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert featuring puff pastry and syrup. This provides a cool crunch to the chocolate bar that pairs well with the chocolate. Bodega Bros also has an array of milkshakes. Surprisingly, the Fruity Pebbles milkshake is delicious! It is not too sweet nor too milky, and it tastes like childhood. The last hidden gem at Bodega Bros is their cookies. They are not often sold, and you may need to ask for them specifically, but they are worth it. If you find yourself there when they are being sold, be sure to grab one!