Fab Happenings: Top 5 Pumpkin Treats in Chicago

The weather is cool and crisp and the leaves are changing colors. Now that the temperature is dropping and it’s sweater weather, it can only mean one thing… the holidays are approaching! It’s almost Thanksgiving, which obviously means it’s the season for treats that taste like fall aka pumpkin flavored treats.

In a city as big as Chicago, it seems as though just about every bakery is offering a pumpkin flavored dessert. With so many options, it can be difficult to find the ultimate pumpkin treat. So here are my “Top 5 Pumpkin Treats in Chicago”…

5. West Town Bakery

West Town Bakery is a diner with old school tables and colorful chairs. The space has exposed brick and Chicago-inspired graffiti on the walls. They offer a wide variety of desserts from donuts to cakeballs to panna cotta as well as an espresso bar with their own specialty blend of Dark Matter Coffee. The Ukrainian Village location also serves breakfast and lunch.

The Pumpkin Cream Doughssant is flaky with a buttery crust and drizzled with white chocolate. For being part donut, it is particularly light. It is filled with buttercream and topped with roasted pumpkin seeds, which gives it a slight pumpkin taste. If you are not a fan of strongly flavored pumpkin desserts, then this is perfect for you!

FAB TIP: Beer, wine, and liquor are available at the Ukrainian Village location.

{Location}
West Town Bakery
Ukrainian Village || 1916 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 904-1414
River North || 15 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 894-0935

{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)

{Fab Ratings: 3.5 Fabs}

4. Vanille Patisserie

Vanille Patisserie is an elegant and modern French bakery. They offer a wide variety of pastries including macarons, tarts, cupcakes, and more. There is limited seating, but for bigger groups you can rent out the private event space.

I got the Jack Cupcake, which has pumpkin cake, cream cheese filling, buttercream, and a pumpkin macaron. The cupcake itself is moist and has a strong pumpkin taste. It is topped with buttercream frosting and cheesecake filling. This is definitely on the super sweet side. I enjoy sweet deserts so the sweetness was fine for me.

FAB TIP: Afternoon tea is offered Thursdays-Sundays with a reservation.

{Location}
Vanille Patisserie
Lincoln Park|| 2108 N Clark St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 868-4574
Lakeview || 3243 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 868-4574
The Loop || 131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 868-4574

{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)

{Fab Ratings: 3.5 Fabs}

3. Firecakes

Firecakes specializes in small-batch donuts that are made fresh daily using traditional recipes. Their donuts are made with locally-sourced ingredients when available. You can choose from traditional flavors like an old fashioned or one of their creative specialty donuts like the maple glazed pineapple and bacon.

I am a fan of their Pumpkin Pie Donut because the donut itself reminds me of apple cider donuts, which are my favorite. It is covered in cinnamon sugar and topped with roasted pumpkin mousse and candied pecans. The pumpkin mousse isn’t as sweet as you would expect so it balances out the sweetness of the sugar coated donut. The candied pecans also add a nice crunch to it.

FAB TIP: They are also currently offering a Pumpkin Donut Ice Cream Sandwich.

{Location}
Firecakes
River North || 68 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 329-6500
Lincoln Park || 2453 N Clark St, Chicago IL || P: (773) 666-5277

{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)

{Fab Ratings: 4 Fabs}

2. Cocoa + Co.

Cocoa + Co. is part coffee shop and part chocolate store. When you walk in, it is difficult to miss the large wall of various chocolate bars from around the world. The owner, Kim Hack, is very passionate and knowledgeable about what she does and can go into detail about every type of chocolate they sell. She is constantly researching and trying out different types of chocolates.

There is an espresso bar serving La Colombe coffee along with tea, hot chocolate, pastries, and small bites. They are also serving soups and quiches. For the fall season, they are offering Pumpkin Chai Tea and Pumpkin Hot Cocoa.

I am a huge fan of their Pumpkin Hot Cocoa because other drinking chocolates are super rich and heavy. This one is perfectly balanced with real pumpkin purée so it is not overly sweet. The owner takes pride in using the highest quality and simple ingredients. It is made with chopped whole-bean 64% Ecuadorean cacao and pumpkin purée, then topped with whipped cream. The pumpkin purée gives it just a subtle taste of pumpkin so it doesn’t overpower the taste of the chocolate. This drink is inspired by the owner’s dedication to what she does. She is focused on presenting real ingredients without using powders and syrups.

FAB TIP: Chocolate bars and drinking chocolate can be ordered on their website.

{Location}
Cocoa + Co.
Old Town || 1651 N Wells St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 624-8540

{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)

{Fab Ratings: 4 Fabs}

1. Sweet Mandy B’s

Sweet Mandy B’s is an old-fashioned bakery featuring many desserts with a creative twist.

I am not typically a fan of pumpkin pie, but their Pumpkin Meringue Pie stood out to me. The crust is thin and flaky with generous layers of meringue that enhance the flavor of the pumpkin pie. The inspiration for this pie came from the owner wanting to put a creative twist on a classic pumpkin pie. The meringue is sweet, but balanced out nicely by the pumpkin.

FAB TIP: Special pies, cookies, cheesecake, and other desserts are offered for Thanksgiving and can be pre-ordered.

{Location}
Sweet Mandy B’s
Lincoln Park || 1208 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 224-1174

{Price Range}
$ (Under $10)

{Fab Ratings: 4.5 Fabs}

Honorable Mention: Imperial Lamian

While it isn’t a pumpkin flavored treat, I couldn’t resist the cute pumpkin shaped puffs at Imperial Lamian. I mean, how cute are these Pumpkin Puffs? The Pumpkin Puff has roast duck and butternut squash, which in my opinion, makes it taste like fall. The filling is slightly sweet with a touch of spiciness.

FAB TIP: The Pumpkin Puffs are available during brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

{Location}
Imperial Lamian
River North || 6 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 595-9440

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$36)

{Fab Ratings: 4.5 Fabs}

What are some of your favorite pumpkin treats in the city? Share below.

Eat, Eat, Repeat,
Lisette

Note: Some of these items were complimentary. However, the views and opinions are those of the writer.