For dessert:
* Dessert is the most common and neutral term.
* Candy is used specifically for sugary treats.
* Treat is a general term for something enjoyable, including dessert.
For other uses:
* Sweet is still used in America, but it's less common than in British English.
* Nice is a more common alternative for expressing something pleasant.
* Cute is used for something charming or attractive.
Here's a breakdown:
British English:
* "I fancy a sweet after dinner." -> "I want some dessert after dinner." (American English)
* "This is a lovely sweet." -> "This is a nice treat." (American English)
Therefore, there's no single perfect "American counterpart" to "sweet." The closest equivalents depend on the specific meaning and context.