Maui’s Best Desserts

Does the smell of freshly baked cookies make your mouth water? Have you been called a “dessert-stealer” on more than one occasion? Does a meal feel incomplete unless it ends on a sweet note? Yeah well, you’re not alone!

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite desserts on Maui, and if you happen to think of any we’re missing, please feel free to comment below and we’d love to give them a try. You know, for… research.

Maui’s Ultimate Sweet Tooth Guide: Top 10 Desserts

Frozen Meyer Lemon Curd – The Mill House, Maui Tropical Plantation, Waikapu

The Mill House restaurant continues to amaze us as they turn out mind-blowing new menu items almost daily.  Since their focus is designing dishes around what’s in season on their organic farms, we’re delighted with something new every time we go in.  We particularly loved their Frozen Meyer Lemon Curd with Lemon Poppyseed Crumble and Candied Olives.  Yes, candied olives.  “Fearless Creativity” allows them to experiment and find flavor combinations you’ll relish.

Red Velvet Cake – Fabiani’s Bakery, Kihei & Wailea

One of our favorite Italian food and happy hour spots also doubles as an excellent place to fill up on sweet treats. While just about anything made at their onsite bakery is delicious, it’s the red velvet cake that takes the… well, cake. With a cream cheese filling and thin layer of chocolate on the top, this velvety treat will leave you wanting more.  They also have a lilikoi cheesecake that keeps me up at night.  SO ONO!

Banana Chocolate Pudding – 808 Deli, Kihei

As if you needed another reason to indulge in desserts, you’ll be happy to learn that a portion of these pudding sales go directly to charity! Known mostly for their assortment of sandwiches and salads, it’s a little known fact that 808 Deli also has a solid selection of delectable puddings. While flavors rotate, some of our favorites include banana chocolate, twix, pistachio and salted caramel. You honestly can’t go wrong with any of them – they’re just that good.

Strawberry Cream Pie – Monkeypod Kitchen, Wailea

Handmade onsite daily, the cream pies at Monkeypod Kitchen are unforgettable. Not overly rich or heavy, the strawberry is our favorite for its superbly sweet, fresh and light flavors! Grab a seat on their outdoor lanai for a view of Maui’s coastline and a scenic sunset, and enjoy one of their many excellent cocktails or glass of wine to go along with your dessert.

Cream Horns – Stillwell’s Bakery, Wailuku

Voted Maui’s Best Bakery by the Maui News, you’ll be hard pressed to find many locals who disagree. While the eclairs, crème brulee, cream pies and fresh fruit tarts are all worth a try, it’s the flaky, scrumptious cream horns that win our hearts. Partly dipped in chocolate and fully dusted with powdered sugar, the cream filling perfectly compliments the crunch of the pastry. Great for a mid-morning snack or post-Iao prize. Yum!

Shave Ice – Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, Multiple Locations

With six locations on Maui, it’s safe to say that Ululani’s has made a lasting impression in the shave ice world. The usual sugary syrups you’ll find at most shave ice stands aren’t found here, replaced by syrups made from 100% pure cane sugar, natural fruit juice, premium fruit purees, concentrates and local ingredients. Our favorite combos include the No Ka Oi with coconut, mango and lilikoi and Local Motion with mango, li hing mui and pineapple. Bonus: Add a scoop of Roselani’s haupia ice cream, shredded toasted coconut or hand-cut mochi pieces!

Paniolo Pecan Cookies – The Maui Cookie Lady, Multiple Locations

To be fair, any cookie made by the one, the only, The Maui Cookie Lady, is better than any cookie you’re likely to have had in recent (or distant) memory. While it’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite, the Paniolo Pecan with Maui-made brown sugar whiskey, oats, butter toffee, chocolate and pecans should be high on your list. Grab a giant cookie treat at one of her several locations, and keep an eye out for the booth at Maui’s Friday town parties.

Guava Malasadas – T. Komoda Bakery, Makawao

You know what’s better than a warm, gooey, sugary guava malasada first thing in the morning? Yeah, we’re not sure either. Head Upcountry to this longtime favorite dessert haven, located conveniently in Makawao Town. Celebrating its 100th year in business, T. Komoda is well known for its cream puffs, stick donuts and our personal favorite, the guava malasadas. Pro tip: Get there early, as they’re likely to run out later in the morning and afternoon hours.

Lilikoi Key Lime Pie – Sugar Beach Bake Shop, Kihei

Move over, Leoda’s! In our opinion, this pie shop is equally as delicious. From the fluffy cream puffs to the coconut cream pie and macadamia nut sticky buns, Sugar Beach Bake Shop is a must. The lilikoi key lime pie is the ideal mix of sweet and sour, and paired with a cup of fresh Maui coffee and a stroll on the beach directly across the street, the perfect way to start your morning in paradise.

Lilikoi Gelato – Ono Gelato Company, Lahaina & Kihei

Alright, ice cream and gelato connoisseurs. We didn’t forget about you! For those who like their desserts in a cone or cup, we bring you Ono Gelato, a Maui-based company whose passion for gelato brought them all the way from Italy to the Aloha State. Using tons of local ingredients and flavors, we highly recommend the creamy lilikoi gelato (amazing!) or Sandy Beach with sea salt caramel and peanut butter. If dining at the location in Lahaina, grab a seat on their back patio to enjoy the view with your dessert!

Peanut Butter Truffles – Mana Foods, Paia

This north shore staple is well known for its excellent assortment of health foods, organic products and hot food bar, but anyone with a mild love of desserts will also tell you not to miss their bakery and dessert shelf. The chocolate-topped peanut butter truffles, while slightly messy to eat, are the ultimate on-the-go dessert to enjoy after a swim at Baldwin Beach!

Mahalo for reading our list of Maui’s best desserts, and be sure to comment below with your favorites!