Sweet Spots: Midwest Bakery Recipes

Incredibly Delicious in Springfield, Illinois, bakes chocolate puff pastry for this recipe. We simplified the original recipe with an easy-to-make piecrustlike pastry layered with a sweet-creamy mocha-mascarpone filling.

Mocha Napoleons

Fill a traditional cannoli shell with sweet ricotta, chocolate chips, and a hint of rum and vanilla for our version of the Italian dessert. For the real thing, visit Presti's in Cleveland. Cream-Filled Cannoli

Minnesota wild rice adds chewiness to this moist, chocolaty cake from Salty Tart in Minneapolis.Janice's Chocolate Oatmeal Cake

Patrick Groth, owner-chef of Incredibly Delicious, uses his grandmother's recipe for these cookies. "Use the best walnuts you have and fresh butter," he advises.Opal's Walnut Shortbread Cookies

Buttery-sweet individual tarts get topped with dried tart red cherries, figs or dates at Salty Tart bakery in Minneapolis.Brown Butter Tarts with Sour Cherries

Patrick Groth, owner-chef of Incredibly Delicious, says these ingredients should be mixed and placed in the oven as quickly as possible for best flavor. "We sell these at the local farmers market. They are really good with fresh whipped cream and berries," Patrick says.Farmers Market Brownies

"The lemon curd is one of our favorite workhorses," says Patrick Groth of Incredibly Delicious in Springfield, Illinois. "My mother, who has worked for us for the last 16 years, is the only one who makes it. Hers is perfect, tart and smooth."Lemon Curd Tart

Presti's customers love their layered espresso-mascarpone Italian dessert, but the recipe is a secret. This is our version, with an espresso syrup, mascarpone-vanilla filling and ladyfingers.Irresistible Tiramisu