SMILES & SWEET TREATS IN WESTERN SPRINGS Nestled on Burlington Avenue in Western Springs is the sweetest shop. Familiar to locals Kirschbaum’s Bakery has been serving up smiles and sweet treats since November 1954. The family legacy that started with Lester and Cele Kirschbaum from Germany goes on with third generation Mike and his wife Penny along with their son Steve. Along with family, Penny enjoys employing local students to help serve up these sweet and buttery treats. For many, it’s their first job and Penny enjoys guiding them to be good employees.
Using original family recipes and starting from scratch with only the best ingredients and never any artificial anything is how these baked goods continue to bring in the loyal customers. A few favorites include the chocolate donuts, custom yellow cake with white buttercream icing and the cookies. Always a top seller and available year round is the smiley face cookie. Penny shared with us the story of the cookie. “Grandpa started the famous smiley face cookie when he came back from the war. He wanted to bring a smile to everyone’s face”. After enjoying a cookie we were definitely smiling from the rich icing, chocolate face and buttery cookie.
Another one of our personal favorites is the pound cake with the chocolate frosting. The soft pound cake with the velvety milk chocolate frosting is a perfect combination. We can’t stop thinking about it! Along with cakes, cookies, donuts, coffeecakes, Kirschbaum’s is also known for their breads. From traditional white bread colored to make it festive for the holidays, rolls, garlic bread, knots, rye bread, to the edible bread basket that is excellent to bring to a family celebrations they have mastered baking. Our favorite is the Swedish Cardamom bread. They take the light airy bread rolled into a wreath shape and top it with sweet and savory Cardamom spices.
With many holidays and celebrations coming up Kirschbaum’s is the perfect place to order that special Lamb Pound Cake, hot cross buns, cake pops, birthday cakes and so much more! They have such a delicious variety and something for everyone. Penny told us she loves being creative and taking basic ingredients and turning them into delicious cakes. Whatever a customer dreams up they will make!
Kirschbaum’s Bakery 825 Burlington Ave., Western Springs (708) 246-2894 • www.kirschbaumsbakery.com Owners: Mike, Penny & Steve Kirschbaum
ABOUT THE CRITICS Stephanie & Tiffany Schmoker are west suburban sisters who have always shared a love for dining out and they also enjoy cooking together. They came from a family of 7 and grew up on farm with fresh fruits, veggies and more. Watch for their review of a different west suburban restaurant in each issue of Glancer Magazine. Invite them to your eatery at editorial@glancermagazine.com.
