Boise: City of Bakeries

Sunshine Spice Bakery & Cafe — Lemon Tart PHOTO BY RASE PHOTOGRAPHY

By Bonnie Trounson Alexander

The name of our fair capital city is derived from the French word for trees, bois, by the early French fur trappers amazed at the number of trees in the river valley. Fast forward 150 years, and newcomers might consider re-naming the City of Trees to a derivative of the French word boulangerie or pâtisserie because of our plethora of amazing bakeries.

Unlike France, where pastry shops and bread bakeries operate as separate businesses, Boise has a myriad of bakery business models and each one puts a tasty stamp on the culture and quality of life in the city we love.

There is no “best” bakery in Boise. That would be like saying there is a “best fish in the ocean.” With this in mind, I explored the bakery scene to find specialty niches, but my findings are by no means comprehensive. Continue reading at your own risk of massively delicious calorie intake.

BIG CITY COFFEE & CAFE

Big City Coffee and Cafe

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

Located on funky Grove Street in the downtown Linen District, Big City has a breakfast following of devoted no-scone-is-too-big believers. Idaho may be famous for potatoes, but many could argue that their cinnamon buns should be on our license plates. Big City’s variety of scones boggles the mind, with flavors including Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, Peach Oat, and Mixed Berry. Farm-inspired breakfast and lunch selections are all made fresh to order. Factor in a wait time while soaking up the local charm of ravenous patrons rubbing elbows at long wooden tables. Local or not, you’ll feel like you belong here.

Big City Coffee — Cinnamon Rolls

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

PASTRY PERFECTION

Pastry Perfection — Lemon Dessert Cake

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

In Garden City on Glenwood Street across from the fairgrounds, Pastry Perfection has a firm foothold on Back to the Future baked goods. Nothing artisanal here, but there are long glass display cases that you walk along and a friendly aproned lady with a hair net who carefully places your selections in a white cardboard box. Folks hankering for donuts from their childhood will find bear claws, maple bars, assorted cake, creme, and fruit-filled options that taste like they have been freshly transported in time from 1965. The iced sugar cookies are addictive with a hint of almond in each soft yet crunchy bite. For a full service bakery brimming with nostalgia, Pastry Perfection is the real deal.

Pastry Perfection — Black Forest Cake

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

ALYONKA RUSSIAN CUISINE

Alyonka Russian Cuisine

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

A full service restaurant on West State Street that offers a small selection of handmade desserts from a rich heritage of Eastern European recipes. Most patrons come to the restaurant to dine on the award-winning menu. But don’t be afraid to drop by to grab desserts to go from the pastry case at the entrance. Alyonka’s Honey Cake is an engineering marvel with ten layers of alternating hand rolled crust and rich filling. Sweet Vodka Balls made with real Russian vodka taste like an indulgence a czar would approve.The Royal Poppy Seed Chocolate Ganache Cake is another over-the-top culinary creation with layers of creamy ganache and super soft, moist cake layers. Feel free to indulge.

Alyonka Russian Cuisine — Honey Cake

PHOTO BY NATALIE MARTIN

CERTIFIED KITCHEN + BAKERY

Certified Kitchen + Bakery — Carrot Cake

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

Tucked in historic Hyde Park, this is the perfect fit for North End patrons who put their money where their mouths are when it comes to purchasing fresh, delicious, “made from scratch with love” edibles. Many of the recipes come straight from Grandma Ya Ya’s kitchen and are made daily in small batches to ensure freshness. For the best breakfast sandwich you may ever eat, order one of their signature egg sandwiches made with 55-year-old sourdough starter. Try a generous slice of their Criminal Carrot Cake. Comfort food anyone? Chocolate Chip Star Cookies fit the bill along with handmade brownies, breads, and assorted sweets. A trip to Certified is like a hug from your Ya Ya.

Certified Kitchen + Bakery — Signature Egg Sandwich

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

GASTON’S BAKERY AND MILL

Gaston’s Bakery and Mill

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

Nestled in an obscure warehouse just off Overland Road on the Bench, Gaston’s is more a bread factory than a bake shop. Look for a green John Deere tractor, metal cone-roofed flour silos, and a fleet of snappy delivery vans. Gaston’s procures Idaho wheat then mills it, onsite, to produce a fiber-rich and flavorful flour with no artificial ingredients or bleach. Ardent French foodies will find a beautiful selection of sweet and savory croissants, flavorful breads, and desserts in a tiny retail counter at the front of the bakery. The sign outside welcomes walk-ins, so be prepared to walk out with a treasure trove of crafted bread goods. C’est la vie!

Gaston’s Bakery and Mill — French Breakfast Breads

PHOTO BY BONNIE ALEXANDER

SUNSHINE SPICE BAKERY & CAFE

Sunshine Spice Bakery & Cafe — Saffron Pudding

PHOTO BY RASE PHOTOGRAPHY

On Fairview Avenue, Sunshine Spice brings a stylish, international, Afghan-inspired flare to lucky Boise food enthusiasts. Pistachio baklava, saffron cookies, and Turkish bagels set the tone. The beautiful artistry of the baked goods on display is set against the backdrop of original fine artwork from local artists. Fresh from the kitchen, order a savory breakfast or lunch entry of Afghan dumplings or stuffed bread. Come for the food, but linger over saffron tea or a Turkish coffee. All of the specialty coffees arrive in an ornate metal cup holder with a lid and jeweled spoon served on a matching tray - a truly foreign experience.