Bent Fork Bakery

For residents across the Illinois North Shore and beyond, Bent Fork Bakery is more than just a place to grab a treat; it’s a culinary landmark dedicated to the art of small-batch baking. Located in Highwood, this family-owned bakery has built a loyal following by focusing on high-quality ingredients—specifically, an "all butter" philosophy—and a commitment to flavor that is often praised by long-time customers and newly engaged couples alike.

Since settling in Highwood in 2004, Bent Fork Bakery has been creating fresh, from-scratch desserts that form the sweet memories of countless family celebrations. From their inception in 1999, owners Liz and Mike Bearwald have dedicated themselves to baking, a passion they say is truly in their "DNA." This dedication results in an array of treats that are consistently described as high-quality, full of flavor, and simply amazing, as one patron remarked, "I’ve loved so many treats over the years—blueberry lemon bread, chocolate hoho’s, fun flavored bars and cupcakes, key lime pie, mini pies and more! I recommend it all!!"

While the bakery excels at daily delights, it has cemented its reputation in the Chicago suburbs as the go-to specialist for monumental occasions. Customers planning large events, particularly weddings, note that after numerous "missed marks" at other bakeries, Bent Fork provided an experience that was both stress-free and resulted in a cake that was "absolutely incredible, both stunning to look at and unbelievably delicious." Their personalized service, often highlighted through kind and attentive staff like Liz, transforms the sometimes-daunting process of ordering a custom cake into a joyous part of the celebration. The ultimate measure of success? When customers report that their entire dessert table was "a huge hit" and "Not a single treat was left by the end of the night."

Bent Fork Bakery, situated in Highwood, IL, is a specialized bakery focusing on fresh, small-batch, from-scratch treats. It stands out in the Illinois market for its commitment to using pure butter in all its baking, which contributes to the superior flavor and quality for which it is known. The bakery’s offerings span everyday indulgences to elaborate, custom-designed celebration confections.

While operating as a daily bakery selling pies, cookies, bars, and a variety of cakes and cupcakes, Bent Fork has gained significant acclaim for its specialty in wedding and large event cakes. The menu features beloved items that have become local favorites, such as the famous "chocolate hoho’s," various uniquely flavored dessert bars, and seasonally perfect pies like Key Lime. The dedication of the owners, Liz and Mike Bearwald, and their staff ensures a warm, inviting atmosphere complemented by an irresistible selection of sweets. The location, marked by its distinctive pink exterior, is a welcoming beacon for anyone in the 60040 area looking to satisfy their sweet cravings or order a flawless centerpiece dessert.

Bent Fork Bakery is conveniently located at 335 Waukegan Ave, Highwood, IL 60040, USA. This accessible location in Lake County makes it a preferred destination for residents across the North Shore and surrounding Chicago suburbs.

The bakery aims for a hassle-free customer experience, particularly for quick visits:

• Parking: Customers benefit from the availability of Free Street Parking in the vicinity, which simplifies a quick pop-in for daily treats or pre-ordered pickups.
• Payments: The bakery accepts various convenient payment methods, including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments, catering to modern customer preferences for a speedy transaction.
• Planning: The venue is set up for a Quick Visit, ensuring that customers can efficiently pick up their orders or make a selection from the daily offerings without significant delay.

Bent Fork Bakery provides a range of flexible services designed to meet both daily desires and large-scale event needs for its Illinois clientele:

• In-Store Shopping: Patrons can visit the charming pink building to browse and purchase the daily selection of fresh-baked goods, including cookies, bars, cupcakes, pies, and tea breads.
• Takeout and In-store Pickup: Quick and convenient options for customers to retrieve their pre-ordered cakes, pies, or large quantities of daily treats.
• Delivery Service: Provides local Delivery for large orders and specialty cakes, offering a stress-reducing service, especially for wedding or event planning.
• Custom Cake Creation: Specializes in designing and crafting Custom Cakes for weddings, birthdays, and other milestone events, with staff available to consult on complex designs and unique flavor combinations.
• Onsite Services: The bakery offers Onsite Services, primarily related to the professional setup and delivery of large event orders, such as wedding cake placement at the venue.
• Special Dietary Accommodations: Offers menu items and options that cater to dietary preferences, including vegan and gluten-free desserts, although it maintains a policy that it is not a dedicated vegan or nut-free facility.

The exceptional quality and specialized offerings of Bent Fork Bakery are what keep customers in Illinois returning and recommending the business:

• "All Butter, Small Batch" Philosophy: A core commitment to using pure butter and baking in small batches ensures maximum freshness, rich flavor, and consistent high quality in every product.
• Specialty Wedding Cakes: Widely regarded as a premier choice for wedding cakes in the Chicago suburbs, with a reputation for delivering both visually stunning artistry and incredibly delicious flavor combinations (e.g., almond cake with cream cheese frosting and fresh strawberries).
• Signature Daily Treats: Features a rotating selection of unique and highly-rated baked goods that have achieved local favorite status, such as the Chocolate HoHo’s, Blueberry Lemon Bread, Key Lime Pie, and fun flavored bars.
• Customization and Consultation: Offers extensive options for customizing cakes, fillings, and frostings, and provides attentive communication and a stress-free process for large, complex orders, as highly praised by event-planning clients.
• Extensive Dessert Portfolio: Beyond full-sized cakes and pies, the menu includes a vast array of smaller items perfect for dessert tables, including mini pies, specialty cookies (Dipped Chocolate Chip Macaroons, Rugelach), and various bars and lollipops.
• Community-Focused History: Operating since 1999 and settled in Highwood since 2004, the bakery is a deep-rooted part of the local community, which resonates with customers seeking to "Support local."

For Illinois residents ready to order a custom creation or inquire about the daily menu, here is the direct contact information for Bent Fork Bakery:

Address: 335 Waukegan Ave, Highwood, IL 60040, USA

Phone: (847) 926-4438

Mobile Phone: +1 847-926-4438

Choosing Bent Fork Bakery is an investment in unparalleled flavor and peace of mind, especially when planning a significant celebration in the Illinois region. For many who have done the rounds of Chicago-area cake tastings, Bent Fork is the bakery that finally "changed that," delivering treats that guests rave about long after the event is over.

What truly makes this bakery worth choosing is the combination of small-batch quality and high-volume capability. Every item, from a single scone to a multi-tiered wedding cake, is made with pure butter and a dedication to superior taste. The highly rated custom wedding cake service, noted for its attentive and easy communication with staff like Liz, alleviates the typical anxiety of event planning. Patrons consistently highlight not just the cakes, but the sheer deliciousness and variety of the entire dessert portfolio. The recommendation to "shop at Bent Fork for your bakery wants and needs" and the playful suggestion that ordering "one of everything is going to be the best way to go" perfectly capture the community’s sentiment about the bakery’s quality.

Whether you are looking for a specialty carrot cake, a dozen fun-flavored cupcakes for a birthday, or the perfect multi-layer wedding cake that will be the highlight of your Chicago-area reception, Bent Fork Bakery offers an experience where every bite is truly full of flavor, making it a professional, reliable, and absolutely delicious local choice.

Bent Fork Bakery

335 Waukegan Ave, Highwood, IL 60040, USA