Author & Photographer: Jason Frey

Tucked in a small plot between a hardware store and an insurance depot on 105 E 47th St. is a staple of Bronzeville: Abundance Bakery. Known for its donuts and other baked goods since 1990, the bakery was a perfect place to pick up sweets to liven up the frigid weekend. I trudged through the snow and was greeted by the warmth of the store and the smell of baked goods. To get a taste of the store, I ordered a selection of donuts, a “bowtie,” a piece of sweet potato pie, and a caramel pecan brownie. Unfortunately, the bakery’s classic caramel upside-down cupcake was sold out by the time I arrived, so I will leave that up to future visitors to enjoy.

The Centerpiece:

Donuts!

Beginning with “The Original” (bottom left), I found a cakey interior with a tight crumb structure that reminded me of a traditional cruller—just without the quintessential shape. The donut had a nice crust and a light glaze, reminding me of an iced pound cake. Though slightly dry, it was quite tasty. The glazed donuts (top right) were the upgraded “Original.” A sourdough-like interior texture and slightly yeasty smell made this fluffy donut delicious. Additionally, the glaze wasn’t caked on and provided a great level of sweetness. To my slight disappointment, the chocolate covered donuts (top left) didn’t live up to my expectations. They were quite dense, and the interior was more cake than donut. The redeeming quality was the chocolate glaze, but it couldn’t make up completely for the too-hard crust. Finally, the coconut donuts (second picture) were heavenly. Lighter than the chocolate and with a pound cake smell, these donuts were sweeter than the “Original” and nicely covered in coconut shavings that imparted a toasted, candied flavor. This version had to be my favorite of the four.

The Standout:

The Bowtie

This treat was a knotted version of the glazed donut and had an amazing springy interior. Sweeter and more moist than the “Original,” the Bowtie is exactly what I want in a fried bread product. In fact, I would probably come back solely for this.

The Dessert:

A Slice of Pie and a Brownie

The final two baked goods I categorize as traditional desserts: a Caramel Pecan Brownie (right) and Sweet Potato Pie (left). Calling a brownie might be misleading because it was more like fudge if anything, but the caramel topping was fantastic and the pecans inside gave it a nice crunch. However, the brownie was too sugary for me, and it certainly wasn’t as good as the other menu items. Last but not least is the Sweet Potato Pie, which can be aptly described (as my friend did) as “an excuse to eat pumpkin pie year round.” She is completely right—the pie is spiced with the same notes of cinnamon and nutmeg that make pumpkin pie so enjoyable. The smell of this dessert was slightly sweeter, though, and with a denser crust than a traditional pie, I felt like I was biting into a reminder of autumn. This pie was also one of my favorites at the bakery.

The Conclusion :

Abundance Bakery has clearly been open for 30 years for a reason. The baked goods were classic and varied, and customers are also able to place orders for specialized cakes. Anyone looking for winter treats should definitely visit.

Abundance Bakery Review