We get it—your mom makes the best cinnamon rolls. But breakfast pastries have evolved to incorporate exotic and savory flavors. We scoured bakeries, bread shops, coffeehouses, and wedding cake purveyors for treats guaranteed to make you a morning person.
1. Almond croissant, French Crust Café
Parisian patisseries would certainly approve of this classic French delight: Rich almond paste ratchets up the sweetness without reaching cloying levels, thanks in large part to the flaky layers. 915 Vine St., downtown, (513) 621-2013, jrcincy.com/French-crust-cafe
2.BBC, BonBonerie Cafe
When this sandwich debuted two years ago, managers Jessica Funk and Mandy Walker transformed miniature dill tea biscuits into the ideal vehicle for the heavy-hitting, double decker of egg, Colby, and bacon. Smart move, BB. 2030 Madison Rd., O’Bryonville, (513) 321-3399, bonbonerie.com
3. Apple fritter, Holtman’s
The lumpy exterior of the apple fritter’s yeast dough is no accident—its uneven surface allows the glaze to seep into every nook and cranny while the apple filling maintains maximum moisture. 1332 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 381-0903, holtmansdonutshop.com
4. Breakfast croissant, Tres Belle
The wedding cake bosses at Tres Belle also dabble in Sunday brunch. But their buttery croissants swaddle bacon, eggs, and cheddar daily. 400 W. Benson St., Reading, (513) 260-9883, tresbellecakes.com
5. Gingerbread muffin, Tres Belle
Too much gingerbread can harken back to stale holiday cookies but this tender muffin combines just enough ginger and molasses to banish the breakfast blahs. 400 W. Benson St., Reading, (513) 260-9883, tresbellecakes.com
6. Blueberry cheese Danish, BonBonerie
This surprisingly light and fluffy Danish whirls plenty of blueberries and a ricotta–cream cheese blend through a rich, buttery batter—exactly how much butter, we’d rather not know. 2030 Madison Rd., O’Bryonville, (513) 321-3399, bonbonerie.com
7. Peanut breakfast roll, Bonomini
In post-paczki season, the veteran Northside bakery delivers a peanut breakfast roll that packs a nutty punch with fluffy, cake-like dough laced with cinnamon. 1677 Blue Rock St., Northside, (513) 541-7501
8. Pecan roll, Shadeau Breads
The traditional cinnamon roll gets an upgrade with a dash of cardamom in the dough, plenty of crushed pecans, and a gooey butter glaze. And while Shadeau supplies a number of restaurants and coffee shops, these rolls are only available at their OTR shop, Sidewinder Coffee in Northside, and College Hill Coffee Company. 1336 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 665-9270, shadeaubreads.com
9. Spinach and ricotta pie, Coffee Emporium
A longtime Shadeau client, Coffee Emporium recently added some in-house production in the form of their spinach ricotta pie. Needless to say, it has been a rousing success— the savory slice would make Popeye proud. 110 E. Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine, (513) 651-5483, coffee-emporium.com
Originally published in the April 2015 issue.
Photographs by Anna Jones/OMS.
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