Five best desserts in Baltimore

So you've waited three hours for a slice of cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory. What else can you do to satisfy your sweet tooth? Unfortunately for you, there aren't many restaurants in Charm City that have desserts in their names. But that doesn't mean that there aren't any orgasmic desserts around Baltimore. Check out these sweet creations and you won't be disappointed.

Roy's: Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle

This dessert is so delicious that you have to order it a half hour in advance--no joke-- in order to give the chefs adequate preparation time. Still, if you neglect to order this delectable morsel before your main course, the wait is well worth it.

Although rather small, this pillow of gooey goodness is bursting with rich chocolate flavor that is perfectly complemented by the smooth rasberry sauce that is drizzled on top and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The Helmand: Afghan Ice Cream

For a decidedly different ice cream experience, Mount Vernon's Helmand offers this treat that most diners don't mind paying a few extra bucks for, considering the reasonable entr??e prices. This homemade specialty isn't your usual vanilla--it's flavored with cardamom and is mixed with generous chunks of fresh mango, dates and figs. And you thought all you'd get is baklava.

Pazo: Caramel sheep's milk yogurt with thyme-flower honey

Yogurt for dessert? Bear with us here. Pazo, the latest venture from Baltimore culinary legend Cindy Wolf, is probably the only place in town (other than Wolf's other restaurant, The Charleston) to devote an entire section of the menu to an extensive cheese selection.

The love for dairy products extends to dessert, where Pazo offers up caramel sheep's milk yogurt topped with thyme-flavored honey. Alternately slightly sour and sweet with a refreshing herbal note in the honey, this dessert is spring on a plate -- and it's damn good. Impress your friends with your refined palette, then sit back and wish that Pazo's DJs played better music.

Vaccaro's: Cannoli

It's no wonder why this Little Italy dessert destination has sold millions of these things. If you haven't had cannoli before, it consists of a hollow, round, crunchy pastry shell that is filled with a sugary cream (Vaccaro's has its own blend of spices and chocolate chips included).

If chocolate chips aren't enough, you can even get the entire shell dipped in cocoa. And if you really can't get enough of this dessert, be sure to go on a Monday night, when Vaccaro's offers all-you-can-eat sweets for $10. If you lack transportation, you can also just head just around the corner to Sweet Retreat, which serves them.

XandO's: S'mores

This Charles Village favorite is a can't-miss for Hopkins students. Not many city residents are able to enjoy s'mores on a regular basis. However, this coffee shop's do-it-yourself s'mores plate actually includes an open flame for diners to toast their marshmallows as much as they want.

With plenty of graham crackers and chocolate available to create everyone's favorite dessert sandwich, it's like having your own campfire, without the dorky songs.