The $1,000 Sundae: New York’s Gold-Leafed Ice Cream Extravaganza

Dessert is a highly polarizing topic - some either love it or don't - but there is no denying that many desserts, whether you partake or not, seem so incredible, so over-the-top, and so excessive, that they are rather impressive. For many of us, having dessert is simply an essential part of the end of a meal, a sweet treat that balances out the savory meal we just consumed.

Many places have the usual standard fare - apple pie, ice cream, chocolate pudding, and, for the more health-conscious diner, fresh fruit.  But if you are more adventurous and prefer to try unrestrained things, unique treats, and extravagant offerings, then these indulgent desserts are right up your alley. From milkshakes that are loaded with goodies to waffles covered in sherbet, the world is filled with lots of tasty treats to discover, and many of these are so overindulgent that you won't believe they exist until you see them with your own eyes. (If you want to find a place closer to you, check out your state's most iconic desserts.)

To compile a list of indulgent desserts you have to try at least once, 24/7 Tempo researched various restaurants, food experts, and culinary sources, such as the well-known Insomnia Cookies brand and cronut inventor, Dominique Ansel, to come up with the wildest treats. (If desserts aren't for you, whether outrageous or relatively tame or if you prefer fruit, perhaps you can plant your own and have them available to you year-round with the new trend of vertical farming.)

• Cost: $15
• Where to find it: Black Tap restaurant
• Location: New York City, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and more

Their crazy milkshakes have taken social media by storm over the last couple of years, and it's no surprise as to why. There's a flavor for everyone, from The Cookie Shake, loaded with cookies, chocolate chips, and vanilla frosting to the Strawberry Shortcake, which has strawberry ice cream and other goodies, including crumbled cake, a full strawberry shortcake ice cream bar, and more.

• Cost: $25
• Where to find it: Clinton Hall
• Location: New York

Created by Clinton Hall in New York, which is an up-and-coming eatery that has recently won several awards, these sweets are called WTF waffles, and they're extremely delicious. Different locations will have unique options but their current claim to fame is the Birthday Cake WTF waffle, which is a Belgian waffle that's loaded with ice cream, raspberry sherbet, a sugar cone, lollipops, and rainbow sprinkles. They also have Carnival waffles that have hot fudge, caramel corn, cotton candy, and sprinkles.

• Cost: $20-$48 depending on location
• Where to find it: Multiple bakeries in the state
• Location: Maryland

If you find yourself in Maryland, don't forget to try the state's official dessert, the Smith Island Cake, which gets its name from the island of the same name. Depending on where you go, you'll either find this cake made up of eight, nine, or ten layers. This over-the-top dessert is typically made of yellow cake that's smothered with chocolate icing. But there are many other ways to make this treat with your preferred flavor profile. You can make the cake and cover it in coconut frosting and flakes, go for cookies and cream, and try red velvet, among many others.

• Cost: $30
• Where to find it: Insomnia Cookies
• Location: New York; New Jersey

This limited edition cookie was created for the movie, "Five Nights at Freddy's" and is a great dessert to share with friends. It has a cookie crust, cookie topping, icing, drizzle, and a candy topping. The cookie crust can be chosen from many variations. There's an M&M cookie crust, double chocolate cookie, carrot cake, confetti crust, and more. They also sell double- and triple-layer cakes, many types of chocolate chip cookies, and several varieties of vegan and gluten-free treats. (This particular offering may no longer be available as it was limited edition.)

• Cost: $34
• Where to find it: Lavo
• Location: Las Vegas

When you spend time in Las Vegas, you're bound to see at least one wild sight during your visit. On top of everything else, the desserts at many of the casinos and restaurants are a sight to behold. However, nothing compares to the 20-layer peanut butter chocolate cake you can get when you visit Lavo, which serves brunch and dinner and is located in the Palazzo Tower in The Venetian. The cake is made with Devil's Food cake and peanut butter mascarpone (it's not an entire cake, but just a slice).

• Cost: $7.50
• Where to find it: Dominique Ansel Bakery
• Location: New York City

The cronut became a national phenomenon back in 2013, made famous by Dominque Ansel, who even registered the name "cronut". This dessert is a combination of a donut and a croissant. Every month, they make a new one with a different flavor, and never repeat flavors. While you're at his bakery, you should also check out some of the other tasty desserts, including their blossoming hot chocolate and their "What-a-Melon Soft Serve," which is watermelon ice cream inside of a slice of ripe and juicy watermelon (if you opt to visit, get there early – the cronuts sell out fast).

• Cost: $99.95
• Where to find it: PieCaken Bake Shop
• Location: New York City (they ship globally)

This might just be a take on the infamous "Turducken," that mashup of turkey, duck, and chicken served at Thanksgiving meals in the U.S. This is the dessert form and one example might be an apple upside-down cake that sits on top of a pumpkin pie that sits on top of a pecan pie, and the whole thing is smothered in cinnamon buttercream. There are many variations of this crazy dessert, one of which is the Christmas PieCaken. It consists of three layers: cherry swirl cheesecake, chocolate pecan pie, and red velvet cake, and then covered in cream cheese buttercream.

• Cost: $4.99/$5.99
• Where to find it: Portillo's
• Location: Illinois, California, Florida, or Nevada

If you love ice cream shakes and chocolate cake equally, then you must stop by Portillo's. It's there where you'll get a chance to check out the world-famous chocolate cake shake. It sounds exactly like what it is – a mix of their very delicious chocolate shake with a full piece of chocolate cake blended in. The result is a smooth and tasty treat (if chocolate isn't your thing, you can try their strawberry shortcake and chocolate eclair cake).

• Cost: $1,000
• Where to find it: Serendipity 3
• Location: New York City

The Golden Opulence Sundae is the most expensive of the crazy desserts on this list, and it even holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most expensive dessert. served in a baccarat crystal souvenir goblet, which is also what they drink out of at the Vatican, this treat has it all. Made with a base of Madagascar vanilla ice cream, you also get passion fruit caviar, 23-carat gold leaf, and fancy candies from exotic places. It's such a big deal that you need to order it in advance.

• Cost: $6
• Where to find it: Westside Drive-In restaurants
• Location: Idaho

This "potato" is vanilla ice cream covered with cocoa powder and topped with whipped cream that looks like sour cream. There's also nuts and chocolate syrup that's meant to look like gravy. This restaurant has been featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and you can be part of the hype. It may be a bit too much for one person. (If you're planning a road trip, click here for some great roadside restaurants.)