No matter the season or reason, dessert is always a good idea. But there’s no denying that as climates cool, the desire grows to sink your teeth into a heartwarmingly hot and moreish pudding. Old faithfuls such as malva pudding with custard or a large helping of chocolate fondant with a side of cream are as comforting as they are delicious, and modern interpretations of these traditional desserts can be just as tempting. Either way, satisfy your sweet tooth with these delicious hot desserts in Johannesburg.

Craft (Parkhurst)

Be it breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert you’re after, Craft is well known for generous servings. If there’s no shame in your dessert game and you like your after-dinner treat in a buzzy setting, try these massively indulgent marshmallow ‘freak waffles’, made with buttermilk and layered with marshmallow fluff and roasted mini marshmallows (R96).

A post shared by CRAFT Restaurant (@craftrestaurant) on Apr 11, 2018 at 2:36am PDT

Gemelli (Bryanston)

No dessert list is complete without a definitively delicious brownie. Head to Gemelli, one of Joburg’s most popular Italian restaurants, for its tempting chocolate offering. The warm brownie is made with 70% dark chocolate, pralines, almonds and dates. It’s served with amaretto custard and vanilla gelato made the Italian way (R82).

Il Contadino (Parktown North)

For a modern version of your granny’s age-old ginger pudding recipe, try Il Contadino. Their warm walnut and ginger sponge cake, served with cinnamon-poached pear and a honeycomb gelato, will warm even the most wintery and dessert-averse souls (R70). The pretty plating alone will win you over before you’ve even started!

Il Contadino’s walnut and ginger sponge cake. Photo supplied.

Pronto (Craighall Park)

Have you ever met a chocolate fondant you didn’t like? The decadence is in the details and Pronto gets this comforting classic absolutely right. Expect a freshly baked hot molten-centred chocolate pudding served with homemade vanilla ice cream and drizzled with even more chocolate (R60).

X&O Patisserie (Melville)

Pastry snobs, try not to turn your nose up at this bakery dedicated to the most delicious cronuts. Located inside 27 Boxes, the only difficulty you’ll face is choosing which flavour to try. Our pick? Milk tarts cronuts (R66 for two) or milk bar cronuts (R68 for two). They’re served warm and packed with delicious fillings that ooze out with every bite. You can also keep the supply coming by signing up for a cronut subscription.

A post shared by X&O Patisserie (@xo_patisserie) on Feb 22, 2018 at 2:08am PST