12 L.A. Desserts to Indulge in During 2012

Each January, as the holiday season winds down and those waistlines expand, New Year’s resolutions are always such a drag. So much dieting and glum restraint—where’s the joy?

As a bit of a corrective, The Hollywood Reporter offers this anti-abstemious counterpoint to all of those workout guides and carb-counting treatises. Here’s a dozen indulgent ways (some well known, some less so; some high-end, some lowbrow) to begin ringing in 2012.

1.The rice pudding with caramel and hazelnut crumb at Lazy Ox Canteen. 241 S. San Pedro, L.A., 213.626.5299

2.The Oreo-esque T.K.O. cookie at Bouchon Bakery. 235 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.271.9910

3.The nut ‘n’ honey shake with peanut butter, vanilla ice cream and honey at the 101 Coffee Shop. 6145 Franklin Ave., L.A., 323.467.1175

4.The house-made gelato trio served on a marble slab at Dominick’s. 8715 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.652.2335

5.The butterscotch budino with sea salt and rosemary pine nut cookies at Pizzeria Mozza. 641 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.297.0101

6.The deconstructed key lime pie with frozen lime yogurt, graham crumble and toasted meringue at Son of a Gun. 8370 W. 3^rd St., L.A., 323.782.9033

7.The dark chocolate mousse with pomegranate reduction and chocolate sorbet at Ray’s and Stark Bar. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 323.857.6180

8.The salt peanut cake at the Nickel Diner. 524 S. Main St., L.A., 213.623.8301

9.The eponymous Persian ice cream at Saffron & Rose. 1387 Westwood Blvd., L.A., 310.477.5533

10.The chocolate-covered “pop rocks” at the Bazaar. 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. 310.246.5555

11.The orange soda float with mint-and-lemon-flecked Tahitian vanilla ice cream at the roving Lake Street Creamery truck.

12.The black & white cupcake with vanilla butter cream frosting at Big Man Bakes. 413 S. Main St., L.A., 213.617.9100