It’s the perfect excuse to ditch the diet and live your best life… if only for a few days.

Cork restaurants, cafes, bakeries, pubs and hotels will be pulling out all the stops to take part in Ireland’s first ever national Dessert Festival this week, from July 23rd to 29th.

Leeside venues will be joining donut shops, ice cream parlours, crêperies, chocolatiers and milkshake makers all over the country to show off their skills with everything sugary.

It’s like a dream come true.

Cork’s favourite treat spots will be engaging in a celebration of all things dessert-related for the week, hosting pop-ups, tasting events, ‘man versus food’ challenges and new menu additions.

Here are five events we’ll be checking out on Leeside:

1. The Gin Cheesecake at Electric

In honour of #dessertFTSVL 2018, Electric on Cork’s leafy South Mall will be serving a Lemon Curd Cheesecake infused with Kinsale Gin.

We’re talking soft, creamy cake, zingy citrus and a dash of botanical herbs – all in one mouthwatering serving.

2. The Profiterole Tower at Fitzpatrick’s Shop

Fitzpatrick’s Shop in Glounthaune has unveiled the mother of all profiterole towers: a milk and white chocolate combo, festooned with Crunchies and Curly Wurlies.

To finish off the mouthwatering creation? Yet more chocolate and fresh strawberries and raspberries; you know, to ensure you get your five a day.

3. The Cookie Pan at The Cornstore

If you like your baked goods fresh and hot from the oven, The Cornstore has laid on a #dessertFSTVL treat especially for you.

The Coal Quay eatery is bringing back its insanely popular Cornstore Cookie Pan for one week only. A hot baked giant cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and drenched in caramel sauce, you’ve never tasted anything like it.

4. Granita at Good for the Soul

Throughout #dessertFSTVL, the Good for the Soul crew will be serving the ‘GFTS Granita’.

Owner Sarah O’Brien says: “Granita is a traditional Sicilian dessert found across Italy and served at any time of the day. With a texture resembling sorbet, it is best served alongside a freshly baked brioche bun, and topped with cream.”

5. The Bruce Bogtrotter Challenge at Sober Lane

Cork’s Sober Lane is holding a Bruce Bogtrotter Challenge on Friday, July 27th.

As part of the first ever national dessert festival in Ireland, the Sullivan’s Quay spot is inviting sweet toothed competitors to chow down on as much delicious chocolate cake as they can stuff into their faces within the allotted time.

For the latest on #dessertFSTVL events happening throughout the week, visit the website.