Plenty of opportunities exist in Vegas for satisfying your sweet tooth, but for the discriminating, here are four spots that you may have to make a detour for. We think they're worth it.

There aren't lots of doughnut places around town, and most of the ones you'll find are of the chain variety -- fine if you have a yen on the spot, but in reality, you might as well be eating frosted foam rubber. If you're a connoisseur with a car or happen to be checking out the restaurants in the Chinatown area on Spring Mountain Road, go to Ronald's Donuts, 4600 Spring Mountain Rd., at Decatur (tel. 702/873-1032). Hours are Monday to Saturday from 4am to 5pm, Sunday from 4am to 2pm. Some have called these doughnuts celestial. You decide.

Do a comparison taste test with Krispy Kreme Donuts, just a few more minutes down the road at 7015 W. Spring Mountain Rd., at Rainbow Boulevard (tel. 702/222-2320). There are more convenient but more crowded (and higher-priced) Krispy Kreme locations in the Palace Station, Texas Station, Boulder Station, Treasure Island, and Excalibur, as well. Krispy Kreme prompts rabid devotion in its fans -- like us, who on our first visit ate two of their famous glazed (don't bother with any of the other varieties) before we even cleared the drive-through. These are better hot, or at least nearly, and the "hot donuts" sign flashes from 5 to 11am and 5 to 11pm. Dine-in 5am to 11pm, drive-through Sunday through Thursday between 5am and 11pm, Friday and Saturday between 5am and 1am.

Another favorite is Freed's Bakery, 4780 S. Eastern Ave., at Tropicana Boulevard (tel. 702/456-7762), open Monday through Saturday from 7am to 6pm. If you've got a serious sugar craving, this is worth making the 15-minute drive from the Strip. Despite the minimalist setting, it's like walking into Grandma's kitchen (provided you had an old-fashioned granny who felt pastries should not be fancy but should definitely be gooey, chocolaty, and buttery). The chocolate coffee cake is especially good. They also have fresh bread, napoleons, strawberry cheesecake, cream puffs, hamantaschen, sweet rolls, Danishes, and doughnuts. Some may find the goodies too heavy and rich, but for those of us with a powerful sweet tooth, this place hits the spot.

Hot Vegas days call for cool desserts, and frozen custard (softer than regular ice cream, but harder than soft serve) is a fine way to go. Head for Luv-It Frozen Custard, 505 E. Oakey, at the Strip (tel. 702/384-6452), open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 10pm, Friday from 11am to 11pm, Saturday from noon to 11pm, and Sunday from 1 to 10pm. Since it has less fat and sugar than premium ice cream, from which it also differs slightly in taste and texture, you can even fool yourself into thinking this is somewhat healthy (hah!). Made every few hours using fresh cream and eggs, Luv-It Frozen Custard has basic flavors available for cup or cone, but more exotic ones (maple walnut, apple spice, and more) in tubs.