Step inside a piece of Quincy history where sugar, butter, and vanilla have been working their magic since 1929. Underbrink’s Bakery isn’t just a bakery—it’s a living, breathing homage to classic German baking.
Every morning, the scent of fresh breads, flaky pastries, and golden rolls greets early risers like a warm embrace. The ovens have been humming for generations, turning simple ingredients into legendary treats that locals swear by.
From angel food cakes that float like clouds to the iconic Big Radio Roll, each creation carries decades of tradition. Cash or card in hand, visitors wander the cases, letting the classics guide their cravings while discovering surprise favorites along the way.
Signature Angel Food Cake
Underbrink’s angel food cake is the hometown legend you hear about long before you taste it. Light, cloudlike crumb, kissed with vanilla, and finished with classic icing that melts the second it hits your tongue.
You can order it large for milestones or smaller for a just-because treat.
Tell them your color and message, and it arrives beautifully hand lettered, the way birthdays used to look. Reviews rave about springy texture and that unforgettable bakery smell when you open the box.
If you are driving through Quincy, this is the one dessert you plan your route around.
It is not flashy or trendy, just perfectly executed tradition since 1929. Slice it thick, pair with coffee, and watch a quiet table turn celebratory.
One bite explains why out-of-staters keep coming back with cooler bags.
Angel Food Cupcakes
If cake feels like a commitment, the angel food cupcakes are your perfect on-the-go fix. All that airy fluff is tucked into a handheld swirl, crowned with silky icing or cream cheese frosting when available.
Locals swear they disappear from party trays faster than anything else.
Grab a box for birthdays, tailgates, or road snacks while exploring the Mississippi River bluffs. The crumb springs back to the touch, a small miracle of texture that makes you pause between bites.
Even frosting skeptics find themselves scraping the liner clean.
You can mix colors to match a celebration and make memories without a knife or plates. The staff packs them carefully, and you will smell vanilla in the car the whole drive home.
Expect to buy extra, because someone always asks for a second.
Custard Danish
Underbrink’s custard danish is a quiet showstopper, the kind you notice after the cakes steal your gaze. Buttery laminated dough shatters gently, revealing silky vanilla custard that tastes like comfort and craft.
It is not overly sweet, just balanced and elegant.
You will want one with hot coffee right when doors open at 7 AM on weekdays. Regulars swear by that first warm bite before work, a small ritual that makes mornings better.
The bakery keeps things classic, so you taste skill instead of shortcuts.
Take a box for your team and watch the break room go silent. Flaky layers stay tender for hours, especially if you warm them lightly.
If you are new to Underbrink’s, start here to understand their old-world roots.
Big Radio Roll Coffee Cake
The Big Radio Roll coffee cake is weekend fuel, perfect for sharing or not sharing at all. Imagine a giant spiral with caramelized edges, tender crumb, and a cinnamon-sugar ribbon that pulls apart in satisfyingly messy layers.
It is the pastry you eat warm in the car because patience is hard.
Locals call it a must for road trips and rainy mornings. Pair with drip coffee and let the sticky corners do the talking.
The name feels vintage, just like the bakery’s roots, and that is exactly the charm.
Order ahead if you are picking up on Saturdays, since they close at noon and it sells out. Bring it to a family brunch and claim hero status without lifting a whisk.
Leftovers, if any, reheat beautifully the next day.
Hand-Decorated Birthday Cakes
There is something magical about a cake that is truly hand decorated, not printed or mass produced. Underbrink’s keeps that art alive with buttercream florals, classic borders, and careful lettering matched to your message.
Bring an idea or a theme, and they translate it with skill and heart.
Customers gush about designs that look like childhood snapshots, down to charming imperfections that prove a person made it. Moist layers and balanced frosting mean it tastes as good as it photographs.
Birthdays, showers, retirements, or just-because cakes feel intentional here.
Order early, especially for weekends and holidays, because the calendar fills fast. Share a phone reference or email inspiration and expect thoughtful communication.
When you pick up, you will feel the pride the team takes in sending a celebration out the door.
Brownies and Bars
Underbrink’s brownies and bars are for days when you want pure decadence without fuss. Expect fudgy centers, shiny tops, and that cocoa aroma that stops conversations.
Almond bars earn their own fan club, layered, fragrant, and dangerously snackable.
These are bake-sale classics elevated by technique and good ingredients. Buy an assortment and discover which one mysteriously vanishes first at home.
If you love edges, ask for corner pieces and thank me later.
They travel well, making them ideal gifts for coworkers, neighbors, or a long drive across Illinois. Tuck a few into lunchboxes or top with a scoop of ice cream for an effortless dessert.
Simple on the surface, they showcase the bakery’s consistency and care.
Seasonal Cookies and Custom Designs
Underbrink’s cookies are tiny celebrations you can eat, with crisp edges and soft centers under smooth icing. Seasonal shapes and custom sets match showers, graduations, and hometown pride.
Share your invite artwork, and they will echo the colors and motifs with impressive accuracy.
These boxes make fast friends at office meetings and family reunions. Kids love the bright designs, adults appreciate the balanced sweetness, and everyone reaches for seconds.
If you need early pickup for travel, the team does its best to accommodate.
Order lead times vary by season, so plan ahead for holidays. Pack them carefully for out-of-town showers, and they will arrive looking flawless.
One bite brings back simple bakery joy, the kind that keeps traditions alive year after year.
Morning Visit Guide: Hours, Tips, and Must-Try Smells
Set your alarm, because the best selection appears early. Underbrink’s opens Tuesday through Friday at 7 AM and Saturdays at 7 AM with a noon close, staying open to 2:30 PM on weekdays.
Mondays and Sundays are closed, so plan your pastry cravings accordingly. You’ll find them at 1627 College Avenue, Quincy, IL 62301, where the sweet smell of fresh baking hits the moment you arrive.
Call ahead for large angel food cakes, custom designs, and the Big Radio Roll if you are road tripping. Parking is easy along College Ave, and the friendly team moves lines quickly.
The aroma the second you step in is real bakery theater, vanilla and butter announcing your arrival.
Bring cash or card and a list, but leave room for surprises in the case. If you are gifting, ask for packing tips to keep icing pristine.
Take a deep breath, take your time, and let the classics guide your choices.