Time to move past the junky Halloween candy and get back to the good stuff. Chicago is home to so many great bakeries that we just wanted to chime in with our personal favorites. And let’s set the record straight, I’m talking about the best bakeries for parents. Kids will eat anything that comes out of a glass-fronted case. We are the ones who need to be impressed.

Best Italian Pastries: Pasticceria Natalina
This place takes its product very seriously. Each pastry is a work of art. They use the best ingredients available to make the most delicious and authentic Italian pastries you will ever eat. But beware - you get what you pay for. These treats are going to set you back big bucks, as much as $6 per pastry. The Sfogliatelle is my personal favorite - delicate pastry stuffed with heavenly ricotta.

Best Breakfast Treats: Dinkel’s
Doughnuts, coffee cakes, and danish - oh my! They are the best. I buy them when my husband has breakfast meetings and even the healthiest of eaters splurge on these treats. They are worth every calorie and carb. Get them fresh and eat them that day.

Best Fresh Fruit Pie: Hoosier Mama
This tiny storefront in West Town is a gem. They make the best fresh fruit pies. Cherry, blueberry, peach in the summer. Apple and pear in the fall. Not too sweet, these pies let the taste of the fruit shine through. Sit in the window booth with a slice and a big glass of milk - yum.

Best Cookies: Tie - Cafe Selmarie and Bittersweet
There are so many different types of cookies that it is hard to choose just one. Cafe Selmarie makes the most wonderful jam filled cookies. Whether you enjoy the kalochkies, financiers, or linzer hearts and circles, each little treat is sure to satisfy. Bittersweet excels with their dainty mini cookies. Bring an assortment for your hostess gifts during the holidays. Do not miss the chewy, brownie-like chocolate macaroons.

Best Cupcakes: Tie - Molly’s and Sweet Mandy B’s
I know this is a controversial subject, but I need to weigh in. I am not a cupcake lover, so when I love a cupcake it means something. Molly’s are delicate and have a great flavor variety. You can get an assortment of minis which is a fun way to try a variety of flavors. Sweet Mandy B’s is the dream cupcake - big with a ton of awesome frosting. At both of these places the cake is moist (but not falling apart) and the frosting is perfect. You can’t go wrong with either one.

Best Birthday Cakes: Dinkel’s
They get a second nod in my book. These are the perfect kid’s birthday cakes. Moist cake, great frosting (butter cream is my favorite) and fantastic fillings, parents ALWAYS have a slice at a party with a cake from Dinkel’s. I also love that Dinkel’s offers so many fun themes for cakes. If your kid is anything like mine, birthdays are a BIG DEAL. So part of our tradition includes going to the Dinkel’s website and looking at all the different ways his cake could be decorated. Delicious and fun - can’t beat that.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 7:34 pm and is filed under Food. If you use RSS, you can subscribe to the RSS feed. , or if you would rather receive an e-mail, please subscribe to the e-mail in the lower right hand corner of this page. Both comments and pings are currently closed.