Ingredients That Add Flavor and Strength to Our Desserts

The Secret Behind Every Bite

At Balkan Bakery, we know the secret to unforgettable desserts is all in the ingredients. Whether you’re savoring a childhood favorite or exploring a new creation, every recipe starts with our commitment to quality, authenticity, and tradition. We source premium baking ingredients from trusted local distributors and import specialty items from Serbia, Macedonia, and Croatia, ensuring every dessert is rich in flavor, freshness, and character.

Let’s go behind the scenes to discover what gives our cakes, cookies, and pastries their signature taste and strength. If you’re searching for the best Balkan desserts in Chicago, or simply want to know what sets artisan bakeries apart, you’ll find the answers right here.

Why Ingredients Matter: Flavor, Structure, and Tradition

The first impression of any dessert is always its flavor. At Balkan Bakery, we rely on fresh, high-quality ingredients to transform classic recipes into memorable experiences. Our chocolate cakes are made with Belgian cacao, giving them a deep, complex taste, while pure vanilla extract adds warmth and aroma to our creams and batters. Real European butter brings a richness and melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s impossible to fake. We use fresh fruits and nuts for bursts of natural sweetness and color.

But structure is just as vital as flavor. Our desserts are designed to stay fresh and beautiful, whether they’re picked up in-store or delivered across town. High-protein flours give our cakes and pastries the strength they need, while natural stabilizers like gelatin and agar-agar help create creamy, sliceable textures. Each dessert is carefully layered and assembled to preserve both shape and moisture.

Tradition is at the heart of every recipe. Many of our ingredients are deeply rooted in Balkan culinary culture, from specialty imports to time-honored techniques passed down through generations. This is how we keep the spirit of home alive in every bite.

Star Ingredients: What Makes Our Desserts Unique

Every dessert at Balkan Bakery tells a story, and it all starts with the ingredients we choose. Some, like Plazma biscuits, are woven into the fabric of Balkan childhoods. Their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture is a key component in many of our layered cakes and no-bake treats, instantly bringing back memories for anyone who grew up in Serbia or the surrounding region. When we grind Plazma into Lane Plazma, it becomes the secret to cakes that stay moist and flavorful for days, giving our desserts their signature tenderness.

Chocolate is another cornerstone of our baking, and we never settle for ordinary. Our chocolate cakes, brownies, and cookies are made with premium Belgian cacao, which delivers a deep, complex flavor and a smooth, velvety texture that chocolate lovers crave. This ingredient elevates even the simplest recipe into something truly special.

Butter is the foundation of so many pastries, and we insist on using only real European butter. It’s what gives our croissants, strudels, and cookies their rich, golden flavor and that irresistible, flaky texture. You can taste the difference in every bite—there’s simply no substitute.

Nuts bring both flavor and tradition to our menu. We carefully select and roast California walnuts, pistachios, and hazelnuts in-house, ensuring their freshness and maximizing their natural oils and aromas. These nuts add a satisfying crunch and earthy depth to classics like baklava, Bajadera, and a variety of cookies and cakes.

Coffee is another ingredient that holds a special place in our kitchen—not just as a drink, but as a flavor enhancer. We use Illy coffee to infuse cakes and creams with a smooth, balanced richness and a deep, inviting aroma. It’s the secret behind our tiramisu and mocha desserts, and it brings a sophisticated edge to many of our recipes.

And of course, we can’t forget the joy that imported Milka and Kinder chocolates bring to our treats. These beloved European chocolates are the stars of our Kinder cakes and chocolate slices, lending a creamy, indulgent layer and a sense of nostalgia that resonates with both kids and adults.

Fresh fruits and real juices round out our star lineup, adding brightness and natural sweetness to our cakes and crepes. Whether it’s the tartness of raspberries, the juiciness of cherries, or the zest of citrus, these ingredients ensure that every dessert is as vibrant as it is delicious.

Finally, our creams and custards—always made from scratch—form the silky, luxurious base for cream puffs, eclairs, and many of our signature cakes. Using egg yolks, whole milk, and natural thickeners, we achieve textures that are both delicate and decadent.

At Balkan Bakery, these star ingredients are more than just components—they’re the foundation of every story we tell through our desserts, and the reason each bite feels like a celebration.

Specialty Imports: Bringing the Balkans to Chicago

We’re passionate about authenticity, so we import specialty ingredients that are hard to find outside the Balkans. Smoki and Stobi Flips are crunchy, peanut-flavored snacks beloved by families. Argeta pate is a savory staple for breakfast or snacks. Jaffa Cakes, with their signature orange filling and chocolate coating, are a classic treat in every Balkan home. We also use Vegeta, the famous seasoning, in our savory pastries and breads, and Kajmak, a creamy, tangy cheese spread that’s perfect in traditional breads and crepes.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Options: Flavor Without Compromise

Everyone deserves a delicious dessert, so we offer vegan and gluten-free options made with plant-based milks and creams, gluten-free flours like almond and rice, and natural sweeteners such as maple syrup and agave. These treats are just as flavorful and satisfying as our traditional offerings, proving that dietary needs don’t mean sacrificing taste.

Technique Matters: How We Maximize Flavor and Strength

Our baking process is as important as our ingredients. We bake in small batches to ensure every pastry is fresh, monitoring each step for consistency and quality. This approach lets us adjust recipes based on seasonality and availability, so you always get the best possible product.

Everything is handcrafted, not mass-produced. Our recipes and techniques are passed down from our founder, Olja Igic, and every cake, cookie, and pastry is made by hand. This attention to detail is what gives our desserts their signature strength and flavor.

Layering and assembly are key to many Balkan desserts, from Bajadera to Kinder cake to our famous crepes. Each layer is balanced for flavor, structure, and visual appeal.

Where Ingredients Shine: Customer Favorites

Our Bajadera is a rich, layered praline made with roasted nuts and chocolate, perfect for celebrations and special occasions. Jaffa and Kinder slices are favorites among kids and adults, featuring imported chocolates and creamy fillings. Baklava, with its flaky phyllo, roasted walnuts, and honey syrup, is a must-try for anyone who loves traditional Balkan sweets. And our custom cakes—made to order, always with premium ingredients—are the centerpiece of any event.

No Compromises—Ever

We promise: no shortcuts, no artificial flavors, and no sub-par ingredients. Whether you’re picking up a party tray, ordering a custom cake, or just stopping in for your daily pastry, you’ll taste the difference. Quality, freshness, and authenticity are what set Balkan Bakery apart.

Visit Us or Order Online

Ready to experience the flavors of the Balkans? Visit us at 541 South La Grange Road in La Grange, Illinois, or order online at our website. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest menu updates, seasonal specials, and a behind-the-scenes look at our baking process.

Taste the tradition. Savor the strength. Discover the ingredients that make every dessert unforgettable.