Instagram might be all aflutter over Nerds Gummy Clusters and Studio Ghibli-inspired cakes and churros, but there’s a reason pared-down classics have stood the test of time. The real treat is when a couple of bites satisfy both the sweet tooth and the soul, and these perennial selections on local dessert menus do exactly that.

Gessner Colorado Mountain Grill’s largely steakhouse menu already
delights with staples like steak frites and grilled lamb chops, but the tableside s’mores steal the show (when they’re on the menu). This isn’t a Hershey’s plus Honey Maid experience, oh no. Instead, think wedges of fluffy homemade marshmallows and freshly baked shortbread-like graham crackers with peanut buttercups or squares of dark chocolate. Choose your own delicious adventure and roast away over a tabletop mini burner. Inside the Grand Hyatt Vail

It’s not just that Bully Ranch has a cast-iron skillet cookie on its menu. What’s outstanding is that said cookie is baked to gooey-crisp perfection in the restaurant’s brick pizza oven before being topped with a scoop of Nutella ice cream. Need we say more? Inside the Sonnenalp, Vail

You could say that Juniper Restaurant’s sticky toffee pudding helped put the Edwards eatery on the map. Now a somewhat ubiquitous dessert, Juniper jumped on the trend early and, frankly, perfected the indulgence—so much so that the treat hasn’t come off the menu in decades. The secret, in our opinion, is the toffee crunch that adds texture to the soft, rich crumb. 97 Main St, Edwards

Rimini Cafe might be known locally as the go-to gelato shop, but don’t overlook owner and chocolatier Michael Schneider’s spectacular artisan chocolates. A fixture on the chocolate circuit for decades, Schneider has lectured on the topic and even founded Chocolatier Magazine. The best way to appreciate his cacao prowess is to purchase an assorted box of the confections, with flavors like Sicilian pistachio with white chocolate-pistachio ganache in a dark chocolate shell or Tahitian vanilla with vanilla bean-infused caramel encased in dark chocolate. 45 W Thomas Pl, Avon

No doubt you’ve dined at Lancelot for its prime rib special with cuts ranging from 8 to 12 ounces. But the question remains: Did you save room for the restaurant’s equally famous old-fashioned apple strudel? If the answer is no, you know what you need to do. Wrapped in a thin, flaky pastry, this wheel of cinnamon-y apple filling comes warm and topped with vanilla ice cream. 201 E Gore Creek Dr, Vail

Ever heard of schokoladen? If not, get yourself to the Swiss Chalet for… chocolate fondue. A mini cast-iron pot of bubbling chocolate arrives with sides of fresh fruit (pineapple, banana, berries) and squares of cake for dipping at your leisure. This dessert is worthy of its own occasion. Make it a date, order a bottle of Champagne, and settle into the experience. Inside the Sonnenalp, Vail