Idaho natives are practically born with an extra sweet tooth. And when you have fresh food so close at hand, it makes sense to get a little creative with your choice of eats. After all, Idahoans always like to put a little love in every bite! But while there are plenty of unique desserts scattered around the state, often found in the most unassuming restaurants, some are more iconic and sought-after than others, taking advantage of our state’s unique cultural roots and most famous produce. Here are a few of the most famous desserts in Idaho that you’ll want to try at least once.

1. Gooeys
Dockside/GoogleMaps
Essentially a sundae combined with a trifle and smothered in every delicious sweet topping known to man and served in behemoth dishes the size of your head, "Gooeys" are a must-try for anyone who ventures to Dockside Restaurant at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. Big enough for multiple people (but why share?), there's a good reason why many stop by just to grab one of these massive desserts.
2. Rolled Ice Cream
jpellgen (@1179_jp)/Flickr
We all scream for ice cream. But the best way to enjoy this summertime favorite isn't in a plain ol' cone... it's in cute, portable wrap-like rolls, topped with a dollop of whipped cream. You will find food trucks and restaurants all over the Gem State that offer this incredible sweet treat, but C4 Creamery in Boise and MICR in Twin Falls are two of the most well-known. Let us know if you've ever dug into some rolled ice cream in your area, let us know!
3. Butter Cake
The Fork/Facebook
This absolutely divine southern-style dessert gets an Idahoan twist when baked to be light and fluffy and served a la mode, drizzled with berry sauce. Your world will never be the same! Our favorite place to grab this delicious dessert is definitely The Fork in Boise. (And YES, it's incredible!)
4. Ice Cream Potatoes
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All the nostalgia with this one! Ice cream potatoes are a classic Idaho treat, featuring chocolate and ice cream in all the right ways, beautifully arranged into our favorite state vegetable. There are a number of places to grab one, but Westside Drive-In in Boise is renowned for these handmade treats. If we had to choose one sweet treat to become Idaho's state dessert, this would be it.

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5. Huckleberry Ice Cream
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No vacation is complete without sipping down a delicious, fresh huckleberry milkshake or devouring a few scoops of this pretty purple dessert. We love our huckleberries here, and a huge number of Idahoans scour the state searching for the best huckleberry desserts -- ice crem included. By consensus, Victor Emporium is a local and travel favorite, but Scotty's in Idaho Falls is another great stop for this Idaho treat. Or, check out our full list of favorite huckleberry ice cream spots!
6. Fried Ice Cream
Steph L/Flickr
Clearly, Idahoans love ice cream, but there are a number of ways to fry it up crispy and gooey, just the way it should be - some more traditional, and others more on the creative side. Find this delicious dessert at fairs, at Idaho's best Mexican restaurants, and everywhere in between.
7. Idaho Spud Bar
Wikimedia Commons/Evan-Amos
Idaho's original potato-shaped candy, crafted right here in Idaho, is a retro chocolate, fudgy candy that is authentic as it is delicious. If you haven't tried one, what are you waiting for?
8. Cherry Pie
Stephanie/Flickr
While not an Idaho "original," we sure do make it good! Here, we typically use tart pie cherries, but traditional sweet cherries (or a mix of both) are still common. There's a reason why we celebrate this magnificent gem at the Emmett Cherry Festival! Everyone has their favorite and you can find some incredible pie shops all over Idaho.
9. Arroz con Leche
Liliana Fuchs/Flickr
Idaho is known for its spectacular and rich Basque heritage, which includes the immersion of traditional Basque foods into everyday cooking. Arroz con Leche - a local favorite featuring rice pudding, sprinkled with cinnamon - is one dessert that everyone should try at least once! Prepared different ways depending on the family, this sweet meal finale can be cooked with red wine and served with fruit, or made simply. Next time you're in Boise, hop on over to the Basque District downtown to try a bowl!

What are your favorite desserts in Idaho? Do you have a favorite dessert shop or signature restaurant dish that you love? Give them some love!

Idaho is known for some pretty tasty food items. Check out our list of eight of the best foods that come from Idaho. Let us know if we left anything off of this list!

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Best desserts in Idaho

Courtnie Erickson | October 07, 2022

Where can I find the best desserts in Idaho?

Here in Idaho, we love our desserts! From ice cream to baked goods, we certainly have a sweet tooth! If you are in Boise, Idaho, you’ll want to plan a visit to Amaru Confections on Roosevelt Street. This incredible dessert shop specializes in custom desserts and sweet treats that are not only delicious, but they are also beautiful! When you stop in, we highly suggest you order a cupcake or a French macaron. The cinnamon rolls and croissants are also delicious and you won’t be able to stop at just one!

If you are located in the northern part of the state and are searching for the best desserts in Idaho, head to the Dockside Restaurant in Coeur d’Alene. This incredible restaurant is located on the lobby level of the Coeur d’Alene Resort and serves ice cream sundaes that are massive, packed with sweets, and so delicious. These aren’t your typical ice cream sundaes either. They feature all types of ice cream flavors, cookies or other baked goods, candy, whipped cream, and many other toppings. There are a handful of options on the menu and you may just want to bring multiple friends to share a single sundae — they really are that large!

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