Tasty Tuesday: More Than A Dozen Autumn Treats in Lake County
By: Jeff Randolph 09/26/2023
Sometimes you want to skip the main course and get right to dessert. If you're one of those with a sweet tooth, we've got you covered with Tasty Tuesday: More Than A Dozen Autumn Treats in Lake County.
'Tis the season to indulge in delectable delights that make it easier to cope with the shortened days and brisk temps of fall.
Lake County has something for everyone, from chocolatey goodness to apple-flavored treats, savory brownies, and seasonal sweet brews.
Here are more than a dozen autumn treats you can enjoy in Lake County in this installment of Tasty Tuesday.
German Chocolate Cake
Six Flags Great America is running its Oktoberfest Food Festival adjacent to the ever-so-popular Fright Fest Presented by Snickers at Six Flags Great America. Guests can enjoy many of the tastes of Oktoberfest on the Yukon BBQ Pit Patio. A favorite dessert is the German Chocolate Cake. It's three layers of chocolate cake made with caramel, pecans, and walnuts and covered with a coconut frosting.
Six Flags Great America, 542 N. Route 21, Gurnee.
Cinnamon Apple Spice Donuts
The Long Grove location, whose name pays homage to all the trucks that keep hitting the landmark bridge in town, is known for all sorts of treats. From their assortment of fine chocolates, including Morkes Chocolates, See's Candies, Abdallah Confections, and hand-painted Moonshine Truffle Bars to hand-dipped strawberries and gourmet caramel apples, there is something for everyone. Their Cinnamon Apple Spice Donuts will melt in your mouth.
Broken Bridge Treats, 220 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove.
Pumpkin-Biscoff Salted Caramel
When craving something sweet without guilt, consider stopping into Sweet Home Gelato in downtown Libertyville. Their delicious treats have no cream or butter fat like traditional American ice cream. Instead, the smoother and denser substitute is made with whole milk, giving the treat a smooth texture and distinct flavor. The seasonally -appropriate Pumpkin-Biscoff Salted Caramel hits the spots.
Sweet Home Gelato, 518 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville
Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cake
When you venture north on Route 83, there is a quaint and cozy cafe just as you approach Route 173. The Latte Cafe and Bakery prides itself on delivering handcrafted drinks, made-to-order sandwiches, and many delectable treats. The Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cake is worth the trip and will solidify this Antioch as a must-stop location whenever you are in its vicinity.
The Latte Cafe and Bakery, 1185 Main St., Antioch.
Spiced Apple Wine
Explore Lynfred Winery's rich German heritage with its unique Spiced Apple Wine. This exquisite creation is a fusion of tradition and innovation, as they've aged the apple wine with natural cinnamon and star anise. With a blend of 100% Red Delicious and Fuji apples sourced from Prosser, Washington, this wine offers a glimpse into the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. As you pour a glass, you'll be greeted by a mesmerizing color, a harmonious blend of yellow with golden hues. The aroma is a symphony of apples, flowers, cinnamon, honey, and anise.
Lynfred Winery. 971 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling and 1823 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Signature Popcorn is a family-owned business, and all of their popcorn is handmade in their shop in the heart of Long Grove, Illinois. You'll be greeted with a friendly smile, and you'll usually find the employees with their sleeves rolled up, testing recipes and new flavors as we continuously strive to tweak and master the ultimate taste bud-pleasing recipes that are worthy of gifts for the special people in your life.
Signature Popcorn, 318 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove.
A Bushel of Apples
Phase Three Brewing has created the perfect autumn treat in brew form. A collaboration with Affy Tapple, the Lake Zurich-based brewer once again brings shares with the world A Bushel of Apples. The flavorful beer has a strong peanut flavor that compliments the taste of apple, with a touch of caramel sweetness and a smooth finish. An annual fall festival with the same name as the beer happened for the third year.
Phase Three Brewing Company, 932 Donata Ct., Lake Zurich
Hand Spun Cotton Candy
Ma and Pa's Candy is known for their large selection of hard-to-find and nostalgic candies. The Long Grove-based candy store has been a local tradition since 1966 and is like a trip down Memory Lane with offerings from Airheads to Warheads. The sweet tooth's haven serves up fresh, hand-spun cotton candy made onsite. The aromatic, melt-in-your-mouth confection is available in various flavors, including birthday cake, pina colada, and white citrus.
Ma and Pa’s Candy, 424 Robert Parker Coffin Rd., Long Grove
Oreo Cake Slice
Since 1930, the family has been baking quality products for all to enjoy. The Oreo Cake Slice has layers of chocolate cake and Oreo silk. The cake is then finished off with whipped cream and Oreo crumbs! It will make your tummy say, “Howdy!”
Lovin Oven Cakery, 455 Lake St., Antioch
Brown Bag Apple Pie
Brown-bag apple pies have been made locally for nearly half a century. This dessert is made with fresh apples, real butter, and no preservatives. The crunchy outer layer that the brown bag creates makes this delightful treat even more special. So grab a freshly baked pie or buy them frozen to enjoy at your leisure.
Long Grove Confectionery Co., 114 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove
Long Grove Confectionery Nut and Candy Factory Store, 581 Bonner Rd., Wauconda
Long Grove Confectionery Company, 333 Lexington Dr., Buffalo Grove
Apple Cider Donuts
Richardson Adventure Farm and Corn Maze has a rustic charm that brings an afternoon of fun to the great outdoors. There are 33 acres and 11 miles of trails with a wooded picnic area with free campfires. Their gift shop has many souvenirs, but the flavors in the treats they offer conjure up all of the autumn feels. There is something for everyone, from the buttery, golden popcorn to sweet treats adorning the country store. You will not want to pass on the cinnamon-sugar-coated apple cider donuts. They will not make it through the car ride home.
Richardson Adventure Farm and Corn Maze, 909 English Prairie Rd., Spring Grove.
Apple Cider Cinnamon Cannoli
This gem serves the flaky-shelled, cream-filled Italian pastries known as cannoli. Tony works at perfecting his cannoli shells, creating some of the most excellent cannoli that you will ever get the chance to enjoy. 'Tis the season as the Illinois Maker has introduced their new fall offering, apple cider cinnamon cannoli. You can only get cannoli this good by stopping by their downtown Mundelein location.
Tony Cannoli, 460 N. Lake St., Mundelein
Habanero Sea Salt Caramels
The autumn months are when the temperature starts to drop. At Uniquely Sweet in Grayslake, they take turning up the heat to a whole new level. The Habanero Sea Salt Caramels are bite-sized squares of buttery caramel dipped in either milk or dark chocolate. These handmade delights are then sprinkled with habanero heat sea salt.
Uniquely Sweet, 888 Belvidere Rd., Unit 106, Grayslake
Banana Pudding Crunch Cake
In the heart of downtown Zion is an establishment offering home comfort food in a cozy setting. Bailey's Corner Pub is known by locals for their Friday Night Fish Fry that includes beer-battered cod and fried catfish. A trip to this establishment would only be complete with indulging in one of their signature desserts. You'll want to save room for the Banana Pudding Crunch Cake, which is homemade with real bananas and vanilla wafers.
Bailey’s Corner Pub, 2723 Sheridan Rd., Zion
Red Velvet Pancakes
Whistle Stop Cafe first opened in Fox Lake, IL, in 1996. In June 2022, the Restaurant was sold to its third and current owner. Locals come for the excellent service, a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, and unique daily specials. Whistle Stop Cafe is well known for its homemade pies, specialty coffees, and soup specials. The red velvet pancakes are something special.
Whistle Stop Cafe, 15 East Grand Ave., Fox Lake.
Barrel Aged Malted Milk Stout
Lake County Libation Trail partner Half Day Brewing Company in Lincolnshire offers a unique selection of handcrafted beers. The brewpub offers several appetizers, entrees, and desserts as part of its food menu. One of the many brews they offer is the Barrel Aged Malted Milk Stout. With overtures of chocolate mixed with hints of vanilla and brewed with malted milk, the thick beverage leaves a big mouthfeel sprinkled with sweetness. The dark roasted grains saturated with more chocolate complement the ubiquitous barrel character, making this a unique treat.
Half Day Brewing Company, 200 Village Green S, Lincolnshire.
For more food options in the land of the lakes be sure to check out the Lake County Dining Guide.
