1st Place: Dessert First
2nd Place: Haymarket Grill
3rd Place: Cold Stone Creamery

Perhaps the only place I have ever seen an upscale cupcake is Dessert First (210 Barstow St.). A California-inspired bakery that puts a classy spin on the treats I used to serve my fellow third-grade classmates years ago, their cupcakes come in flavors like Pink Velvet, Vanilla Sparkle, Chocolate Mint, and Peaches & Cream. Eating even one really will make you want to eat your dessert – and last. In second place is Haymarket Grill (101 Graham Ave.), where a local twist is put on an upscale menu of American-style cuisine. Among the classic dessert options are rich cheesecakes, made-from-scratch ice cream, and finer dishes like crème brulee. In the mood for something colder? Try third-place winner Cold Stone Creamery (4613 Keystone Xing.), where you could order all of the aforementioned treats, ice-cream-style – seriously. At this unique ice cream shop, customers can chose from a mind-boggling array of ingredients and flavors (according to the creamery, there are over 11 million possibilities), then watch their ice cream creation form right in front of them as employees mix each choice together on a frozen granite stone. – Emily Thierfelder

Chippewa Choice: Olsen’s Ice Cream Parlor, 611 N. Bridge St., Chippewa Falls