Cakes & Desserts

1. Tiered and tasty

   Chances are no one will have to twist your arm to taste some of your potentially sweet treats especially not if you're considering some of the city's most elegantly presented cakes, cookies and chocolates from Sarah Levy of Sarah's Pastries & Candies on Oak Street... read more

   November 23, 2007 10:02 AM

2. Tiered and tasty

   Chances are no one will have to twist your arm to taste some of your potentially sweet treats especially not if you're considering some of the city's most elegantly presented cakes, cookies and chocolates from Sarah Levy of Sarah's Pastries & Candies on Oak Street... read more

   November 23, 2007 10:02 AM

3. A hippo cake?

   You hear every now and then about crazy celebrity requests—well, here's an unusual one. When Elton John visited the Windy City years back for the opening of the musical Aida (which I thoroughly enjoyed btw) he requested a cake (to serve some 250 people) shaped like a hippo's head opening its mouth (huh?).... read more

   December 3, 2007 10:00 AM

4. A hippo cake?

   You hear every now and then about crazy celebrity requests—well, here's an unusual one. When Elton John visited the Windy City years back for the opening of the musical Aida (which I thoroughly enjoyed btw) he requested a cake (to serve some 250 people) shaped like a hippo's head opening its mouth (huh?).... read more

   December 3, 2007 10:00 AM

5. Let them eat . . .

   If I was to do it all again, I'd check out Bleeding Heart Bakery on Chicago's Belmont Ave. Not only do the cakes look and taste delightful, but the organic bakery produces gluten free and vegan versions.... read more

   January 15, 2008 4:01 PM

6. We all scream for . . .

   Why not make something so simple, so beloved, so Americana--ice cream--part of your special day? Who's going to complain? Cold Stone Creamery will do it's best to ensure that answer is no one, especially if a fun-loving sundae bar is the best way to cap your summer (or any season's) celebration... read more

   January 31, 2008 5:19 PM

7. Sweet savings

   While we're on the subject of savings, you should know that Costco makes a mean two-layer $20 half-sheet cake.

   ... read more

   February 6, 2008 6:04 PM

8. Covered in chocolate

   So it may come as no surprise that Desiree's Chocolates in Deerfield, 847-444-1263, caught my attention as it offers a chocolate dipping station featuring strawberries, bananas, Oreos, gummy bears and marshmallows among other goodies dunked in milk, dark and/or white chocolate... read more

   March 7, 2008 10:22 PM

9. Flavor and flair

   We mean you can relay your interests, hobbies or playfulness through the wedding or groom cake's design. Amy Beck of Amy Beck Cake Design, www.amybeckcakedesign.com, has created groom's cakes shaped like a 2 1/2 -foot tall Japanese temple god and shaped like an evil book with creepy hand, cross and ax (we believe he's a horror movie fan).... read more

   March 10, 2008 10:25 PM

10. Lovely layers

    If you like the looks of this cake, you'd be even more impressed to see it in person. The 'ribbons' swirling around the tiers look so real, we had to touch it to believe it's edible. And that was only one of the many impressive points Cakegirls on Chicago's Belmont Avenue scored on our visit.... read more

    April 4, 2008 10:50 PM

11. A sweet treat

    

    Tastings--be it your food or the cake--has to be a highlight and Deerfield Bakery (check) doesn't hold back in that department. ... read more

    April 29, 2008 10:27 AM

12. As good as it looks

    

    We love a good dessert and we could not have been more impressed with the wee sampling we received from The Sugar Syndicate... read more

    May 15, 2008 9:32 AM

13. It tastes good too

    

    Sometimes it all comes together. That's the case with Take the Cake, Inc., We liked the cake, we liked the fillings, we liked the owner, we liked the aesthetic. ... read more

    May 19, 2008 7:19 PM

14. All cupcakes are not equal

    

    Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique specializes in extra moist cupcakes topped with its signature Sugar Bliss bloom, creamy frosting shaped in the form of a flower.... read more

    May 27, 2008 9:45 AM

15. An eco-chic treat

    

    Please forgive us slimming down brides but here's a treat worth ditching that pre-wedding diet (not that we ever needed much arm twisting!) --it's a feel good chocolate fromDivine Chocolate. ... read more

    May 30, 2008 9:03 AM

16. It had to be you

    

    That's why we loved the stories of Chicago guys surprising their future wives with cutesy cake toppers. And Michelle Sharon who runs

    You Top the Cake, youtopthecake.com You Top the Cake said that's exactly what has happened with her Midwest clients... read more

    June 16, 2008 9:36 AM

17. Quiche and more

    

    Let us tell you a little about our friends at Foodstuffs in Evanston. They've helped the Wilson girls (that's me and my sister) on more than one occasion. ... read more

    June 17, 2008 7:36 PM

18. A favor with flavor

    

    It may be worth considering Vosges chocolates for a wedding favor or as gifts for those out-of-towners. Chose from it most popular two-piece truffle gift boxes in white or purple, or opt for its larger purple Bijoux box complete with fortune cookie or its more contemporary Asian takeout container adorned with its signature purple ribbon and chopsticks.

    ... read more

    July 2, 2008 9:00 AM

19. Desserts with attitude

    

    Don't let the name fool you. We found these chocolates, known as Ugly Truffles from Chicago's Chocolate Gourmet, to be quite appetizing and presentable in their hand-rolled natural form.

    ... read more

    July 29, 2008 9:00 AM