Brown Sugar Bakery

"“Life is sweeter with a little brown sugar” is the phrase proudly displayed on Brown Sugar Bakery’s website. And this iconic Chicago bakery in Greater Grand Crossing makes cakes sweeter than the declarations of love from your kindergarten-era crush. The counter-service shop is small, but the menu is long—besides cheesecake, pies, and cupcakes, there’s a variety of cakes available by the slice. The real standout is the classic caramel. Like all the cakes here, it’s made with precise, light, open crumb layers that look like they were stacked and frosted by an architect." - veda kilaru, john ringor

"Baker Stephanie Hart has Brown Sugar Bakery locations in Chatham, Austin, and Navy Pier. The desserts are Southern style with standout cakes like caramel and German chocolate. Vice President Kamala Harris has even visited the bakery." - Ashok Selvam

"This Greater Grand Crossing bakery specializes in sweet potato pies. Its “laser pie” features sweet potato squares dressed with chocolate, caramel, and nuts. The caramel is important: in 2015, burglars broke in and stole nearly 50 caramel-covered treats. Yes, it's that good." - Naomi Waxman, Ashok Selvam

"Brown Sugar Bakery owner Stephanie Hart is among the Black restaurant owners who have voiced concerns about the new ordinance requiring restaurants to pay out unused time off. They argue it fails to consider the unique challenges they face compared to better-resourced establishments in North Side neighborhoods." - Ashok Selvam

"“Life is sweeter with a little brown sugar” is the phrase proudly displayed on Brown Sugar Bakery’s website. And this iconic Chicago bakery in Greater Grand Crossing makes cakes sweeter than declarations of love from your kindergarten crush. The counter-service shop is small (there’s no seating), but the menu is long. Besides cheesecake, pies, and cupcakes, there’s a variety of cakes available by the slice. They come in flavors like the straightforward lemon or carrot, plus original creations like the multi-layered, multi-flavored “Obama Cake.” But the real standout is the classic caramel. Like all the cakes here, it’s made with precise, light, open crumb layers that look like they were stacked and frosted by an architect." - Veda Kilaru