Five years ago, I moved to this beautiful city of Chicago. Five years ago, I let go of the habit of visiting my hometown bakery at least three mornings a week in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Yes, this may sound dramatic. But if you have ever had one of their blueberry muffins you would understand. I promise.
I have always had a love for small town bakeries and coffee shops. Walking into a warm, coffee-smelling room first thing in the morning is one of the greatest ways to start any day.
The first coffee shop that I fell in love with, besides Luke’s Diner on Gilmore Girls, is the hidden gem called Uncommon Grounds. It is located in my hometown of Duxbury, Massachusetts. While seafood such as oysters and lobsters are usually the foods raved about on the East coast, there is plenty of other delicious food. I just got back to Chicago from a trip home for the holidays and this coffeeshop was high on the list of places I had to go.
Most residents in town avoid the only chain restaurant, a Dunkin Donuts, and sacrifice the extra twenty minutes of sleep to score one of the baked goods served out of the still hot muffin tins and sheets they were baked in.
The owner wakes up every morning and hand makes each muffin and cinnamon roll. The tops of the muffins are crispy and sprinkled with powdered sugar. The insides are stuffed with fresh blueberries, melted chocolate chips, or lemon and poppy seeds.
Not only are the products of the coffee shop delicious, it is located a five minute drive from the beach. This makes a perfect Sunday morning breakfast spot. As the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why not treat yourself to a life changing baked good? Like I said before, I promise it is worth the trip.
If you are not up for getting on a plane for the sole purpose of trying homemade, melt-in-your-mouth pastries, visit The Chopping Block for our baking classes. To learn more about baking your favorite baked goods, take a look at our Baking 101 class. On the menu this month are sticky buns, chocolate walnut tart, and lemon poppy seed coffee cake.
We also compiled a list of tips from our chefs on how to bake like a pro in our Be a Better Baker guide.