Stop by Berkemann’s Baker’s Dozen in New Baden, IL, any morning and you’ll find the locals there buying their daily donuts. 
The “Home Town Bakery” is legendary around here for making them in lots of tasty flavors. But donuts aren’t all this popular venue makes—and everything they turn out is superb.
Owner and baker Paul Berkemann takes pride in the shop that bears his name, using only the finest and freshest ingredients to make his creations, baking them in a wonderful old brick oven. On any given day, the bakery turns out a dizzying array of goods. In addition to donuts, it makes other breakfast pastries, such as Bismarks, twists, muffins and Danish.
Stop in for breakfast, and you’ll be hard pressed to leave without filling up on cookies, pies or more. Cakes are a specialty—especially airy chiffon cake in flavors such as lemon. Pies come in favorite fruit flavors, as well as custard and seasonal offerings, such as pumpkin. Strudels are flaky and delicious filled with apples or cherries.
And if there’s a holiday or special event, you can be sure Beckemann’s is baking for it. Look for Valentine’s specialties next month, and check out the Easter egg cakes this spring. These small bite-sized cakes come in white or chocolate, with yummy filling and icing. During summer you’ll find Cubs and Cardinals cookies—and something called Paul’s Delights, a heavenly little chocolate cake filled with cream and coated in dark chocolate.
There’s lots to love inside this local treasure, which has been a mainstay in Clinton County for decades. They open early and close late. One more thing to savor? The prices. They make everything in the bakery a bargain.
Beckemann’s Baker’s Dozen
115 West Hanover, New Baden, IL
Tuesday – Saturday, 4:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, 4:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Closed Monday
618-588-4233
See, when we say come get a taste of Clinton County, we really mean it!