Some of the best treats in Illinois hide behind plain little storefronts you could drive past a hundred times. I found one by following my nose before sunrise, half asleep and very hungry.
The lights were on, the trays were warm, and the prices on the board made me check twice. If you love a hometown bakery that still feels like the old days, keep reading and maybe bring some cash.
A Small-Town Bakery Just Off I-64
Tucked at 115 W Hanover St in New Baden, Berkemann’s Baker’s Dozen sits a short hop from I-64 in southern Illinois. Plenty of travelers stumble on it while heading to or from St. Louis.
Locals, though, have known about it for a long time.
From the street, nothing shouts for attention. It is a simple storefront with a glass case inside and the smell of fresh dough drifting out the door.
Some visitors fondly call it a hole in the wall, and they mean that as high praise.
What you get inside is a classic hometown bakery. Donuts, breads, cookies, cream horns, turnovers, pies, and custom cakes all come out of this one small kitchen.
Prices typically fall in the $1 to $10 range, which feels almost unreal in today’s world.
One heads-up before anything else: payment is cash or check. There is an ATM inside if you forget, so nobody leaves empty-handed.
Memories Baked Into One Location
Ask a few longtime customers why they stop in, and the word memories comes up fast. One regular explained that the place brings back childhood trips to a bakery that seemed to sit in the very same spot.
Different name, maybe, but the same feeling.
Visitors often describe it as the kind of local bakery most small towns used to have years ago. That sense of continuity matters here.
People who came as kids now bring their own children and grandchildren to point at the case and pick a treat.
Some families even build the visit into a ritual. A lunch at the nearby Good Ol’ Days restaurant, then a short stroll over for something sweet, is a routine several regulars swear by.
You will not find flashy decor or trendy menus. Instead, you get an old-fashioned bakery doing what it has always done well, one tray at a time.
Glazed Donuts Before the Sun Comes Up
Doors open at 4:30 in the morning, Tuesday through Saturday. That early start means the donuts are often still warm when the first customers walk in.
Commuters and farm folks know this trick well.
Donuts are the star of the show by a wide margin. Fans rave about the original glazed, the glazed twists, and the cinnamon sugar twists.
One visitor said the glazed reminded them of the donut shop from their childhood.
Texture is what wins people over. Regulars describe the donuts as fluffy, light, and not overly sweet, which makes it way too easy to eat a second one.
Cake donuts, like blueberry, and filled options such as apple also show up in the case.
A small tip: selection can vary, and on some days a favorite like glazed may already be gone. Showing up early typically gives you the best pick of the trays.
Cream Horns, Cream Puffs and Flaky Turnovers
Melt-in-your-mouth amazing. That is how one guest described the cream horns, adding they were the best they had ever tasted.
Plenty of others echo that love.
Cream puffs earn their own fan club too. One couple happened to arrive just as a fresh tray came out of the back, and they could not resist.
Lucky timing like that is part of the fun here.
Turnovers round out the pastry lineup nicely. Cherry and apple are common picks, and visitors describe the crust as flaky and the filling as pleasantly not too sweet.
There are surprises, too. An Elephant’s Ear pastry, light and crunchy with pecans, has won over passersby.
Seasonal touches may pop up as well, so it pays to scan the whole case instead of grabbing the first thing you see.
Paul’s Delight and the Cookie Lineup
Here is a summer secret worth knowing. Paul’s Delight is a hand-held chocolate cake topped with a star-piped dollop of marshmallow cream, then coated in chocolate.
It typically appears only between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Because it is seasonal, regulars treat it like a countdown event. Once Labor Day passes, you wait until next year.
That alone makes it a fun reason for a summer road trip.
Cookies keep the case lively year-round. Sugar cookies are a dependable favorite, and decorations often change with each season or just for fun.
Pumpkin cookies get praise for being soft and sweet when they show up.
Kids especially love pressing their noses to the glass to see what designs are out this week. Oatmeal cookies, lemon bars, cinnamon roll cake, and cherry pie may also be in the mix, depending on the day.
Bread, Bagels and That Famous Pizza Dough
Not everything here is about sugar. Pizza dough is one of the most talked-about items, and families pick it up to make homemade pizza night easy.
It is one of those quiet staples that keeps people coming back weekly.
Bread gets big love too. One customer said it is perfect for sandwiches, and travelers often grab a loaf when passing through town.
Bagels are another reason some shoppers make the trip.
There is also a selection of frozen, pre-made items for later. That makes it handy if you want to stock up and stretch the treats over a few days.
Think of this side of the bakery as the practical shelf. You come for a donut, then you leave with dinner sorted, too.
Custom Cakes and Pie Tables for Big Days
Picture five bakeries saying no to a rush cake order, and then one saying yes instantly. That happened to a customer from O’Fallon, and Berkemann’s delivered a cake they loved.
Stories like that build loyalty.
Wedding and event cakes are a big part of the business. Customers mention smooth design changes, prompt delivery, and coordination with venue staff.
Birthday cakes also get praise for flavor and looks.
One couple skipped a wedding cake entirely and ordered individual pies in many flavors. Guests loved them so much that the table kept getting restocked all night.
If you have a celebration coming up, calling ahead at 618-588-4233 is the smart move. Some regulars use them for every event on the calendar.
Friendly Faces and a Tiny Shop Vibe
Warm, outgoing, and helpful. Those words come up again and again when people describe the staff.
One guest appreciated an employee who patiently helped them choose what to try.
Space is limited, so plan accordingly. There is just one little table by the door, which makes it more of a grab-and-go stop than a sit-down cafe.
Parking is tight too, though a small lot next door usually works.
On busy weekend mornings, the shop can get packed and service may slow a bit. Patience pays off, and the friendly chat at the counter makes the wait easier.
Families, road trippers, and bakery lovers all fit right in. Veterans may also want to note that the bakery has offered a free donut deal on Veteran’s Day.
Hours, Cash and Whether It’s Worth the Drive
Prices so low they feel like a typo? One visitor called them confusingly cheap, and many agree it is among the best donut value around.
Bringing cash keeps things simple, though the inside ATM saves the day.
Hours run 4:30 AM to 7 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. The bakery is closed Sunday and Monday, so plan weekend trips for Saturday.
People happily drive from Belleville, O’Fallon, and back from St. Louis to stop in. Not every bite thrills every visitor, and opinions on portion size can vary.
Still, most leave with a box and a plan to return.
For a cheap, cheerful slice of small-town Illinois, this little shop is easy to recommend. Go early, grab a dozen, and maybe save one for the ride home.
