When the chill of a few rainy spring days starts to get to you, the combination of a pastry and coffee makes for an instant mood brightener. And while we might be putting the days of heavy comfort fare (like braised short ribs and Bolognese) mostly behind us, that doesn’t mean we don’t like to fall back on a different kind of comfort as we await summer’s full charge. In the guide below, we’ve considered numerous baked goodies from local restaurants, cafes and bakeries. Though perhaps not all of them fall into the strict category of pastry, they all can be classified as some sort of batter- or dough-based, individual-sized treat. Enjoy.
Chocolate Babka Roll
Breadsmith is famous for its chocolate babka roll, which resembles a cinnamon bun, with cocoa and cinnamon swirled into almond flavored dough that’s rolled up into regular and mini-sized rolls, and dusted with powdered sugar ($2.25 for a regular roll or $1.60 for a mini). It serves well as a morning snack, dessert or gift. The bakery offers numerous other treats, from cranberry scones to rich chocolate brownies. On Saturdays, they roll out the cinnamon buns and caramel pecan rolls for the weekend crowds. A selection of seasonal pastries rotate through, so be looking for more fruit-based items as summer produce becomes available.
3939 W. 50th St.; 952.920.2778
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 6:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat., 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Sun.
Gluten Free Macaroon
There are lots of sweet surprises in the goody case at Peoples Organic. On most days, there is a gluten-free macaroon, drizzled with dark and white chocolate ($1.95), the perfect little afternoon pick-me-up. Other treats include a cinnamon brioche, something akin to the cinnamon roll but much more delicate, made with golden raisins ($2.75). At any given moment, the oven might also be turning out plain, strawberry cream cheese or chocolate croissants, ($1.95 - $2.50) scones like the signature spinach, Parmesan and Swiss scone ($2.25), and cowgirl cookies ($2.50), made with oatmeal cookie dough, a little bit of coconut, and dark and white chocolate.
Galleria, 3510 W. 70th St.; 952.426.1856
Hours: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.
Cranberry Orange Scone
Scones come in a couple of styles at Franklin Street Bakery. The cranberry orange scone is done in a European fashion, with an end product that is more biscuit-like, while others like the raspberry white chocolate are more moist and sweet ($1.99). Cinnamon rolls are another favorite breakfast item, says manager Tacy Lancrete. The substantial, plate-filling roll is made with croissant dough, caramel and icing, fresh every morning ($2.99). When it’s time for dessert, the cupcakes are the ultimate fix, in ancho diablo, peanut butter and chocolate ganache, among other flavors ($2.99).
3904 Sunnyside Rd.; 952.929.2253
Hours: 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.
Espresso Brownie
Looking for an independently owned alternative for your morning coffee stop? Ambrosia Coffee, at the base of the Centennial Lakes Medical Center, offers consistently good espresso and many of the treats are homemade, including the espresso brownie, banana bread, pumpkin bread and rice krispie bars. It also brings in bars from French Meadow bakery, and serves a lunch menu of grilled panini sandwiches and salads.
7373 France Ave.; 952.831.6232
Hours: 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri.
Cinnamon Roll
Cinnamon rolls are baked from scratch daily at Seven Stars Coffee House. The recipe comes from owner Kathy Rendleman’s “bubby,” (her grandmother) made with loads of cinnamon, baked into a soft roll and topped with cream cheese frosting ($1.95). It would be remiss not to mention the hand-rolled bagels as well. Made from scratch and served oven-fresh, the result is a bagel that’s soft and chewy on the inside with a crunch on the outside ($1.50 per bagel or $12 per dozen).
7015 Amundson Ave.; 952.345.3380
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Sat., Closed Sun.
Succès
When it comes to the sweet fixes at Patisserie Margo, they are all about the drama. The succès is a traditional French dessert made with almond flour, and is best described as a nougat disk filled with hazelnut buttercream, with a texture that is a little crispy and a little chewy ($2.95). “It’s great with coffee,” says owner Margo Bredeson. The flourless chocolate raspberry dome is a gluten-free option, made with the bakery’s own raspberry puree and dark chocolate, covered in a dark chocolate ganache ($4.95). The mousse ganache dome is made with a bottom layer of dark chocolate cake, with a disk of ganache infused with star anise and cinnamon suspended inside ($4.95). Domes are big enough to be shared. Beyond these over-the-top creations, there are classics like the individual chocolate éclairs, black bottom cupcakes, carrot cupcakes, lemon curd tart, chocolate tart, and later in spring, fresh fruit tarts.
5133 Gus Young Ln.; 952.926.0548
Hours: 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat.
Patrick’s Cheesecake
The Patrick’s cheesecake is lighter than a New York-style cheesecake, using a mousse that’s made with cream cheese. The mousse is layered on a biscuit bottom, with a layer of raspberry compote and a white chocolate glaze on top ($4.95). All pastries are finished by hand every day. The trilogy cake, made with layers of white, milk and dark chocolate mousse is another showstopper ($4.95).
2928 West 66th St., 612.861.7570
Hours: 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.–Wed., 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Thurs.–Sat.
Strawberry Shortcake
The strawberry shortcake ($7.50), giant enough to serve two to four people, is a seasonal favorite enjoying such popularity that it returns every spring at Eden Avenue Grill. It starts with a dense, sweet biscuit, which is topped with vanilla ice cream, strawberry topping, whipped cream and fresh strawberries on top. All sweets are made in house, from scratch, including two other favorites, the apple crisp and three layer carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Desserts are priced from $3–$7.
5101 Arcadia Ave.; 952.925.5628
Hours: 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.
Bostock
Move over, French toast. The Bostock at Rustica is made with a slice of brioche soaked in orange flower water syrup, baked, topped in almond cream, then baked again and sprinkled with powdered sugar ($2). Not as sticky as French toast, it can be eaten with your hand or a fork, and is quite satisfying.
3220 W. Lake St.; 612.822.1119
Hours: 6:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat.–Sun.
Rhubarb Cobbler
Good Earth is working with one of spring’s most beloved fruits, rhubarb, on its latest dessert offering. Homemade cake is topped with butter and brown sugar. The rhubarb placed on top has been cooked in star anise, cinnamon and orange ($6.95). Customers also love the two-layer carrot cake with raisins, coconut, pineapple and walnuts, a year-round favorite ($5).
Galleria, 3460 Galleria; 952.925.1001
Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.
