Dinkels Bakery

Hey there my Sweet Tooths, I told you I'd be giving you extra posts this month and I am (just under the wire mind you). Once again it's been a busy month of performances and trips, but I knew you were anxiously awaiting my next sweet-venture, so here it is.
   This month I bring you to one of my favorite bakeries in the city; Dinkels Bakery, located at 3329 N Lincoln Ave in Chicago. This shop has been turning out some great treats since 1922; that's the old days to you and me. But don't be fooled by their history, because this family owned and operated business continues to bring its original recipes to lure today's bakery enthusiast, i.e. yours truly. Whether it's cakes, cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts or breads they do it all very well. And yes, they even make sandwiches, but that's for someone else to talk about.
   So where does one begin when you walk in? Well first things first, take a number and look around while you wait for yours to be called. Start with the large cupcakes in the display window and you might now make it to the others. Red velvet, vanilla, chocolate and carrot are all on display. As with most bakeries, they make them well, but you will find better cupcakes elsewhere(see my previous blog as to where). Still, they are light and moist and the frosting is not too overbearing (Here's a tip. On Tuesdays it's BOGO for cupcakes. See you there lol). More of a cookie lover? Great, then you've found your source. Sugar cookies, frosted cookies and German treats await your indecisive little minds as you try to decide how many of each to get. There are even boxed cookies at a great deal ready to be taken home with you. CHEESECAKE! New York style. Nuff said.... Hey got a wedding or birthday coming up? Then you cannot go wrong by letting these craftsmen design and make your cake. They are a previous winner of the "Who gets to Make Bill's Birthday Cake" competition and I was not disappointed. Buttercream icing  in many flavors as well as preserve fillings in between layers if you so wish it. And did someone say doughnuts? Of course they have them, and some of the best cake doughnuts in the city. Bear claws, danish, cinnamon rolls, flakies, muffins and croissants-WOW! All made fresh daily. And for all you Apple cider doughnut lovers; come October get your butts over there and taste the Fall! Now for those of you who don't have the fortune to live in Chicago, no worries. They deliver nationwide-HA!
   So now that I've enticed you get on over and experience it for yourself. Or got to their website and get a glimpse http://www.dinkels.com/. In the meantime, here's some sugar for you.




 

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Greetings to all my Sweet Tooths! Yes, I know it's been WAY too long since my last blog post and you have my sincerest apologies. It's been a busy time for yours truly as, you know, that opera singing thing takes precedence sometimes. So to make it up to you I'm posting multiple blog reviews this month as I have been out and about and have several locations to rave about.
  And that brings me to my favorite cupcake spot in Chicago- Sprinkles Cupcakes, mmmmmm! Originating in 2005 by pastry chef Candace Nelson this cupcake bakery helped to usher in what is currently the craze we all have been experiencing. Quite frankly you won't find a better cupcake around I'm telling you. Why? Because they not only use the highest of quality ingredients such as Madagascar bourbon vanilla, bittersweet Belgian chocolate and natural citrus zests, but they take extra care in the preparation and sustainability of their product. My judging of cupcakes is quite simple: moistness of cake, flavor and icing ratio. They bat a thousand on all three components each and every time. The cake is moist and bounces back to a pressed touch. It's not overly sweet and the flavor of the cake isn't overpowered by the icing. Whether it's a butter cream or cream cheese icing these mini cakes are perfectly frosted and topped with signature Sprinkles logos or actual sprinkles. The frosting itself doesn't just taste like sugar, rather it successfully explodes with its intended flavor. You can even get a frosting shot for those who just want the creamy goodness! Because they use such high quality ingredients you'll even see a sign posted on the entrance to the shop to keep the door closed to ensure the freshness of their cupcakes. We're talking serious business here people.
  I wouldn't even know where to begin in terms of recommending what to get. They're ALL great, seriously! But my standouts are the following: Red Velvet; anyone who bakes knows that red velvet anything should have the presence of a small amount of cocoa (and even a bit of vinegar if you're from the south). It's what helps to give that deep red color and a bit of chocolate without taking over the cupcake. Topped with a butter cream cheese icing it's the best red velvet cupcake I've ever had; Peanut butter chocolate and peanut butter chip; WOW- the first, a peanut butter cake with chocolate icing. The latter adds chocolate chips to the cake and tops it off with chocolate icing; the Black and White: Belgian dark chocolate cake with white icing. Sounds simple, but it's so good you'll want another one. Should I go on? Ok I will. Carrot; a walnut studded carrot cake with cinnamon icing. There's also triple cinnamon, pumpkin, milk chocolate and dark chocolate (for my serious chocoholics). Oh it never ends. Hey want something sugar free or have a gluten allergy? No worries, they have you covered. Got a dog and want to treat your beloved pet? Go on by and get a doggie cupcake. While they have all the basic flavors each day they do alternate certain ones so it's best to look on the website (listed below) to see what flavors they're offering. Also, each month they feature a special cupcake for a limited time. If you're by a location in July let me tell you, SUMMER CHERRY! It will change your life... Nuff said. Because they do so much business they even have a cupcake ATM at some locations. Yes a cupcake ATM! Get your cupcake in a nicely wrapped box and be on your way. And did I mention that Candace has also introduced Sprinkles ice cream? I can't even talk about that right now...there are currently 12 locations nationwide, with more coming (HELLO, Atlanta get ready). If you're in Chicago head over to 50 E Walton St off Michigan Ave and get ready for a unique  experience. Otherwise go to
http://www.sprinkles.com/ to find the nearest location to you.
Well all this cupcake talk has me hankering for one so I need to hit the gym and burn some calories if I'm going to be getting one, or two (or three or four) tomorrow. In the meantime, here's some sugar for you.

C Adam's Bakery

Hey all you sugar addicts. Once again I'm coming to you from Milwaukee, WI where I have truly found my favorite bakery in the city. Located in the Public Market in the Third Ward, C. Adam's Bakery is firing on ALL cylinders! The Public Market, for those of you unfamiliar with it, offers local produce, meats and cheeses, as well as wines, spices, candies and of course, beer. Nestled in the center of the market, though, is a heavenly bakery that will surely have you going back time after time(as it did me).
  Owner/baker Lisa Crum named this gem after her nephew Connor (hence the C) and he should be quite proud. I hardly know where to begin as everything here is delicious... hmm the cookies! YES the cookies are indeed my tops favorites. Double peanut butter cookies that are soft baked and double the size. Want some chocolate with your peanut butter? Not worry as they have that covered too, offering a peanut butter cookie with chocolate chips. Speaking of chocolate (listen up chocoholics), there's a double chocolate brownie cookie that will more than satisfy your craving. All in all there are about seven different cookies to try. Got a wheat allergy you say? HA! C Adam's offers at least two (sometimes more) varieties that are gluten free. I'm telling you I had the gluten free peanut butter and couldn't believe how good it was! Cakes, pies and brownies all follow suit. The chocolate cake went straight to my veins and put me in a chocolate coma. The Kentucky butter cake is one of the best pound cakes I've EVER had (I think there's liquor in it :-) ). The red velvet was moist and finished off with a generous amount of cream cheese icing. Even the German chocolate cake looked like a special recipe, but I abhor coconut so someone else will have to try it and get back to me lol. Freshly made cream pies that tasted like they were literally made to order and a buttery, flaky crust more than topped my list of best cream pies in the city (Anyone who's gone to Honeypie or Comet Cafe would put them right up there with theirs). Lastly the cupcakes. Ahh yes, you know I had to go there. C Adam's offers about three or four varieties with the red velvet and chocolate being their big hits. I enjoyed these as well, though not as much as others I've had. While definitely moist and large in size the absence of high quality ingredients was noticeable to my pallet. Still I wouldn't pass them up if placed in front of me so get one in addition to one of their bigger hits. So get yourself and your loved ones over there and enjoy some of the best treats in the city. And now, here's some sugar for you.
Bill

Classy Girl Cupcakes

   Greetings to all my Sweet Tooths out there! This week I come to you from Milwaukee, WI, home to the Milwaukee Brewers, Bucks, and some pretty good cupcakes!
   This week's adventure had me looking for the miniature cake delicacies otherwise known as cupcakes. After asking one of the locals where I could go I was directed to the Milwaukee Cupcake Company- BIG FAIL! But enough about them. I did a little research and came across Class Girl Cupcakes. What a find indeed. Owner Erica Elia serves up quite a bevy of delicious, moist cupcakes and a few twists to boot. When asked why her cupcakes are the ones to get in Milwaukee she explained that she makes them from scratch everyday with only natural ingredients and no trans fat.
   I judge cupcakes on three major factors; moistness of the cake, quality of ingredients, and, of course, the frosting. Additionally I start with the three main flavors: vanilla, chocolate and red velvet. Erica does one(or three?) better by offering a Vanilla Bean cupcake, a Ghirardelli Chocolate cupcake(shout of for my chocoholics) and a traditional red velvet with cream cheese icing(and the presence of cocoa in the cake, which is what a red velvet should have). So, with the help of my colleagues in the production of Porgy and Bess I'm currently doing, we indulged ourselves. All three hit the mark and were quite enjoyable, even if the frosting was just a bit on the sweet side. Other hits were the Vanilla salted caramel, which offers a nice balance of salty/sweetness, Black and White; a chocolate cake with white cream cheese icing and vanilla pearls on top (yum!), Peanut butter delight which was indeed delightful,and one of my favorite combinations, Cherry Vanilla, which was reminiscent of a more famous cupcake chain's version.
   Classy Girl stands out even more due to their cheesecake cupcakes. If you're a a fan of cheesecake you'll love these miniature morsels of goodness. These cheesecake based cakes with frosting are served cold and come in flavors like White Chocolate Raspberry, one their most popular, Cherry Amaretto (my favorite), Dulce de Leche- sweet and creamy, yet light. And for the chocoholics of the world(myself included) the Chocolate Overload (man was it good) was clearly one of the best. These, like their cupcake versions, tended to be a bit on the sweet side, but the flavors are balanced for the most part and are perfectly sized( they come in miniature paper cups with plastic spoons). Additional offerings are cake pops: a cake-frosting push-up pop that's sure to be a hit with the kids, miniature cupcakes and a select few large cakes. Classy Girl Cupcakes is available for weddings and catering as well. For more information go to www.classygirlcupcakes.com. That's all for now folks. In the meantime here's some sugar for you!

Bill

Glazed and Infused

   Greetings all you sugar addicts, bakery lovers, chocoholics and anyone with a sweet tooth! This blog is dedicated to you. After many months, ok years, of venturing to bakery shops around the country, and some prompting from friends I've decided to share those experiences with you in hopes of educating, entertaining and outright tempting you to try these tasty delights! Why do I do this you ask? (I know you were going to). I'm not a pastry chef or even a critic. I do love to bake, though. I'm just a simple opera singer(yep that I am) with a love of all things sugary sweet, baked, and covered in chocolate. Now, there are many places one can get great desserts, cookies, and sweets, but my blog is dedicated specifically to bakeries, and specialty shops that make it their business to delight us. That said, let's get started.
   As this is my very first blog I'm dedicating this to my favorite doughnut(donut) shop in Chicago, IL, Glazed and Infused. Executive Chef Tom Culleeney turns out new and exciting flavors on a daily basis at this West Loop establishment. Along with owners Scott Harris and Megan Brown this trio has ignited a rebirth of the donut, both as a morning starter and a dessert treat. With four locations (so far) in the city Chicagoans have plenty of opportunities to experience some of these donuts.
   It basically comes down to two types of donuts: yeast-raised and cake. While it's pretty difficult to reinvent the wheel with a yeast donut, Glazed does it's best with it's toppings and flavors. Even the basic glazed donut has a vanilla bean icing. The maple bacon long john is definitely one of their hits, though. A maple glaze is complimented with an entire piece of peppered bacon  to give you that sweet-smokey-salty combination-YUM. They also feature bismarks( those are the creme filled donuts) with a new flavor each day ranging from lemon to chocolate, raspberry and creme brulee. Where they excel, though, are the cake donuts. A moist red velvet with a cream cheese icing will make you fall in love. The blueberry lemon is a delightful surprise that could just be your favorite of all. Definitely go for the Old Fashioned: a buttermilk spice cake with vanilla bean icing. And if you like fritters, the apple fritter will surely be a highlight of your visit. Chocoholics rejoice. The have a chocolate3, a chocolate cake donut with chocolate ganache and chocolate sprinkles. I must say it was a bit underwhelming, though, and just OK. But they made up for it with their newest creation, a chocolate old fashioned: chocolate buttermilk cake donut with a chocolate ganache that hits the spot! This is part of their summer menu so get it while it's there. That's the other great thing about this shop. They offer seasonal donut flavors which keeps the menu current and refreshing. They also partner with local establishments to create new donuts, like Terry's Toffee, a yeast raised donut with the local toffee maker's crumbled toffee on top and a chocolate glaze. And for you coffee drinkers there's Intelligentsia coffee along with a barista to wet your whistle.
   Glazed and Infused is located at 813 Fulton Market off of Halsted St with locations downtown, in Wicker Park and it's newest location, Lincoln Park, easily found off the Armitage Brown line stop. For more information got to www.goglazed.com.

I'm always on the lookout for new places to check out so if you have any suggestions feel free to send me an email with a location and what you think I should try. Look for weekly reviews of bakeries from me as well my top ten lists. Till then, here's some sugar for you.