Each month I face the arduous task in choosing which food to feature here. Sometimes, I’m craving a specific item, other times are just divine intervention. Sometimes they come to you when a 17-year-old kid veers into your lane going 45 miles per hour, and totals your Escalade. Luckily, I walked away with minor cuts and bruises. The more lasting affect was my fat kid subconscious repeating: “You better do a dessert round before you die.” So I decided to put on some loose pants and break out the sweet tooth. Some people say when you almost die your life flashes before your eyes. Mine was more of a kaleidoscope of whack-a-mole and cheesecake.

Max at Marabeau $8.95

Huckleberry Lemon Cheesecake—Winner

Easily dessert for two, this twin tower of New York style cheesecake with crispy shortbread crust was noteworthy in every way.  From the heavy huckleberry glaze to the shards of lemon zest, it made many of the desserts I’ve eaten over the last few years dissolve to distant memory.

Common Crumb $3.50

Blueberry Gelle Shortcake Cheesecake

Perfect for your afternoon stroll, or something sweet on your way to or from work. Common Crumb is hidden inside the Saranac Commons. Pastries and artisan breads are their craft, but don’t miss out on the single serving cheesecakes that would put a smile on anyone’s face. Simple blueberry gelle and a soft crumble give the richcake some serious depth.

White Box Pies $5.00

Brownie Chunk Cheesecake

Today is brought to you by the word “rich.” Thick, chewy pieces of their in-store made brownies are hidden deep within the creamy insides of this little treat. Easily enough for two, White Box does it right with a bit more crumble than the others and some sprinkled-on chocolate bark.

Spokane Cheesecake $5.50

Pendelton Whiskey Cheesecake

With personal cheesecakes in flavors that range from pumpkin spice to spicy Mayan chocolate, Spokane Cheesecake lives up to its name. What really caught my attention was their list of liquor-flavored specialties.  Booze, cheese, cake . . . it sounded like my own little version of Julie Andrews’s “My favorite things.”

Lost Boys Garage $8.95

Raspberry Cheesecake Chimichanga

I needed to mix it up a bit. Cheesecake has experienced a recent surge in popularity. You see a handful of restaurants playing around with creative takes on the decadent dessert. No one is doing it better than Lost Boys Garage. Deep fried chunks of dense cake batter intertwined with a powerful raspberry sauce. This was like a Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake roll-up on steroids.