Chicago’s beloved Bittersweet Pastry Shop has opened its first South Side location in Pilsen.
Known for its American and European cakes, pastries and desserts, the 30-year-old bakery opened its new Pilsen location at the beginning of the year. While you can expect to find all of your Bittersweet favorites at the new location, the Pilsen menu will carry baked goods with authentic Mexican flavors and other items that are exclusive to the Pilsen location.
This article was recently updated on May 3, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. The update involved checking the latest information for Bittersweet Pastry Shop. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.
Quick details about Bittersweet Pastry Shop Pilsen
- Address: 2019 S Laflin St., Chicago
- Hours: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Sunday
- Parking: Street parking is available
To bring authentic Mexican flavors to a neighborhood with a rich Mexican history and culture, owner and managing partner Esther Griego partnered with Top Chef Katsuji Tanabe.
The Pilsen menu offers traditional Mexican baked goods, like conchas and palmiers, as well as the carnitas quiche, a collaboration between Chef Tanabe and local taqueria, Las Carnitas Uruapan.
Exclusive menu offerings are not the only way the Pilsen location differs from the original Lakeview bakery. The new cafe is in a large industrial space and outfitted with retractable warehouse garage doors, giving it an airy and open atmosphere.
Read on to discover some of the mouth watering pastries and baked goods offered at Bittersweet’s new Pilsen bakery.
Menu highlights for families
Pilsen exclusive: Carnitas quiche
Exclusive to the Pilsen location, this rich quiche combines the carnitas from the legendary Las Carnitas Uruapan with Bittersweet’s delicious quiche recipe. Other quiche options include a ham and gruyere quiche and a seasonal veggie quiche. A homemade shell and deep, melty gruyere on every quiche are Bittersweet’s signature touches to its savory dishes.
Breakfast pastries
Whether your family prefers a sweet or savory breakfast, there are plenty of delicious breakfast pastries you can start your day with at Bittersweet. Kids will love the sweet cinnamon rolls and banana chocolate chip tea bread. For a simple savory breakfast, the ham and cheese croissants are hard to beat and perfect for littles!
Other mouthwatering brunch pastries include an apple pecan streusel coffee cake, ham and gruyere quiche and the new spinach dip croissants — a twice-baked croissant with creamy spinach and onion dip, topped with gruyere.
Signature desserts
Bittersweet specializes in indulgent desserts. You can expect to find seasonal treats in the bakery case, most recently, heart-shaped cheesecakes and King Cake were on display. For a unique and special treat, try the ube flan or cream cheese brownies. We love that they offer flourless cakes for gluten-free folks with a sweet tooth!
Cupcakes
Grown-ups may be impressed by Bittersweet’s flan, torte and rich savory pastries, but kids know that nothing beats a cupcake! These next-level cupcakes come in simple flavors like vanilla, fudge and red velvet, reminding us that you don’t need to add all the bells and whistles to a great dessert. Bittersweet even offers mini cupcakes, perfect for a bite-sized treat!
Bittersweet Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Start your day with something sweet using this melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon roll recipe from Bittersweet Pastry Shop owner & managing partner, Esther Griego. Making delicious, bakery-quality cinnamon rolls at home has never been easier (or tastier!).
If you prefer to let someone else do the baking, Bittersweet sells Bake at Home Cinnamon Roll kits that are perfect for filling your home with the aroma of fresh pastries without any of the mess.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast (.7 ounce fresh)
- 3 egg, room temp
- 4 1/4 cup flour (18 ounces)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoon butter
For the filling:
- 4 ounces softened butter
- 1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
- 4 ounce cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Directions
To make the dough:
In a mixer bowl with a dough attachment, mix together all dry ingredients. Pour liquid slowly into dry and mix until combined. Gradually add softened butter, waiting until each piece is incorporated before adding the next piece. After all the butter is added, knead in the mixer until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Proof dough until doubled in volume.
To make the filling:
Punch down the dough and roll it into about a 24” square. Spread softened butter onto the dough, then sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over, leaving about 1” at the far end of the dough. Roll the dough tightly. When close to the end, brush a thin coat of water on the empty part of the dough. Continue rolling and secure the dough together.
Make sure the log is 24” long. Using a serrated knife, cut each log into 12 2” pieces.
Place rolls into muffin tins sprayed with nonstick spray. Proof rolls until doubled in size. Bake for about 40 minutes at 350, or until deep golden brown.
To make the frosting:
Mix frosting ingredients until combined. Spread over rolls as soon as they come out of the oven. Cool slightly. Torch top of wreath. Take out of the pan, serve.
Other things to do nearby with kids
The next time your family has a hankering for something sweet, head to Pilsen for an indulgent treat and a day of family fun. Here are some other places in the neighborhood we recommend for families.
- Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art. This free museum hosts programming for kids, teens and families. Explore art exhibits focused on folk art, textiles, three-dimensional art and more.
- Find your next read at Open Books. The non-profit bookstore provides thousands of books to families each year through a “pay what you want” model. Kids books are free.
- Find more of our favorite places to shop, eat and explore with kids in our Pilsen neighborhood guide.
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