Kruta Bakery Has Been Making Delicious European Pastries In Illinois For Over 100 Years
By Melissa Mahoney|Published March 30, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
When you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, there is an overwhelming number of choices in the Prairie State. From donut shops to candy stores to chocolate shops, we have our pick. But there is nothing like fresh pastries from a bakery, especially one that’s been around as long as family-owned and -operated Kruta Bakery, a local favorite in Collinsville.
For over 100 years, Kruta Bakery has been making delicious, mouthwatering pastries in southwestern Illinois. It all started with its founding in 1919 by Frank Kruta Sr. who came to the United States from Russia and had trained as a baker in Germany.
The bakery's original location was on 8th Street in East St. Louis, Illinois where it stayed for 55 years until moving to 300 St. Louis Rd. in Collinsville in 1974. It has always been a family operation, now in its fourth generation!
Using old-world recipes, you'll find plenty of European pastries throughout the bakery. Paçzki, stollen, old-fashioned and Russian kolache, croissants, danish, coffee cake, and strudel are just a few of the delectable offerings here.
You will have your choice of stollen at this bakery. Choose from assorted fruit, butter pecan, cherry or cherry cheese, mixed nut, and nut roll which they've been making for over 100 years.
It's not just the pastries that cause quite a stir. Why not take home some fresh bakery bread too? The Polish rye is a specialty here but you can also pick up a loaf of French, sourdough, butter crust, cinnamon, or cream bread or several varieties of rolls, sold by the dozen.
And, of course, Kruta Bakery has its seasonal favorites like these colorful cupcakes topped with homemade marshmallow cream. These are only available for a short time in the spring, but don't worry - the bakery offers plenty of other treats throughout the year!