Paczki Day

I can hardly believe next Tuesday, February 16th, is Paczki Day! This year it is only two days after Valentine's Day. We are grateful here at TONI to have so many reasons in February to celebrate with sweets.

Paczkis (pronounced pawnch-key) have become a Fat Tuesday tradition in the Chicago area because of the large numbers of Polish immigrants that live here. In Poland, Paczki Day is actually the Thursday before Lent. Paczkis are similar to Bismarks, however, the dough is a little richer, because of additional eggs. Our fillings are especially rich and very unique. We have Paczki filled with White Chocolate Mousse and Fresh Strawberries, Cream Cheese and Blueberry filling, as well as more traditional flavors.

If you stop by, you won't miss our LARGE SIGN that I carefully put up during the blizzard, just for you!
TONI Paczki options

Valentine's Desserts

Valentine desserts make me happy! By this February holiday, we are all looking for a little love, fresh red berries and decadent chocolate. At TONI it gives us a chance to do some beautiful individual desserts. One of my favorites and of many of our customers is the Rosewater Petit Four. The flavor and the candied rose petal capture the Valentine sentiment.

Last year we started making an individual heart shaped French Silk pastry, perfect for an intimate valentine dessert. It has so many great components and textures. I couldn't wait to bring it back this year. (It is made with White Chocolate mousse, raspberry swirl, a nutella crunchy layer, chambord soaked genoise and a praline wafer) We do a larger version to share with the whole family. Valentines Day what a great winter treat!

Wedding Walk Inspirations

Every year we decorate the shop in anticipation of the Hinsdale Wedding Walk. We sample and display cakes, favors, and sweet table options. Here are some photos of the treats we made for the Wedding Walk in 2008. The color inspiration was red, pink and aqua blue. I loved how the aqua blue popped against the pinks and reds. It was one of my favorite windows and we have had many brides inspired by the "Word" cake.

Super Bowl XLIV

We try to do something special in anticipation of Super Bowl parties. Of course it is always the most fun when the Bears are involved… Alas… not since 2007. On the bright side, the surprise performance of the New Orleans Saints has given us the idea to incorporate Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl this year. King Cakes make a fun hostess gift as well! Here are some things we’ve put together for Super Bowl XLIV.

King Cakes and Mardi Gras

The holiday fog is starting to lift here at the bakery, and today we will be taking down the last remaining decorations. The timing is just about right, because we baked our first batch of King Cakes today!

Each year at Toni we love to keep the holiday season going by celebrating Mardi Gras.

We do this with traditional New Orleans-style King Cakes. Our King Cake is a light, buttery coffee cake that is accented with cinnamon-sugar, and decorated with purple, gold, and green sugar. We make it even more festive by including the .History of the King Cake beads and a plastic baby trinket, inside the cake itself.

Legend has it, whoever finds the baby trinket in their piece is crowned King for the day, AND gets to throw the next Mardi Gras party and provide the King Cake!

Join in on the New Orleans tradition and brighten up the dreary winter months by bringing one to parties in the office, school, or with family and friends thru February 16th.

Mini Pastries for Holiday Parties

Mini pastries are a great way to spice up your holiday parties. By giving your guests many options, everyone can find something they like!

Mini pastries also allow you to incorporate mulitple flavors, colors, and textures to your desserts.

Toni offers festive, fun flavors like mini Egg Nog Cheesecakes, mini Blood Orange Charlottes, and Kircsh or Pistachio Macaroons. Toni also has traditional favorites such as mini fruit tarts, peppermint brownies, eclairs, mousse cups and cream horns.

With mini dessert pastries from Toni, you can offer an amazing variety of upscale desserts that will impress and delight all your guests!

Holiday Hor d’ Oeuvres - Entertaining with Toni

December is here and it’s time to think about entertaining for the Holidays!

This is always an exciting time at Toni, because we love to put together great flavor combinations for appetizers.

Our Fig & Proscuitto wrapped in Filo provides that warm, comfort food feeling, along with the decadent Artichoke and Goat Cheese Vol a Vent.

We also have our current favorites, Mini Quiche in assorted flavors, and Chicken Salad Profiteroles. Don’t forget our festive Sundried Tomato & Goat Cheese Tarts in bright red filo cups!

Some can be served hot, some cold, but all are mouth-watering and ready to be devoured by guests!