Editor’s note: We are sad to report that Dulceria Bakery closed in February 2020, after nearly four years of serving its community. You can still order Dulce’s mom’s delicious gluten-free, vegan tamales by following @mestizavegantamales on Instagram. Availability is limited, so don’t delay when she announces a sale.
A fabulous new bakery has landed in Minneapolis and its made-from-scratch treats are as sweet as the woman who runs it. Dulce Monterrubio, a Mexico City native who moved to Minnesota for university, started baking at home and selling at farmers markets and pop-up events under the Dulceria Bakery banner. But with such high demand for her fudgy ancho-chile brownies, mango-coconut bars with hibiscus glaze, and enormous artisanal conchas in delightful flavors like guava, matcha, cajeta with lime curd, and arroz con leche (pictured below), she outgrew her home kitchen within 18 months.
So in winter of 2018, Monterrubio and her partner took over an empty storefront in Bancroft, directly across the street from SouthSide Vintage, one of our favorite local shops. The warmth you feel when you walk through Dulceria’s door is palpable. Monterrubio has gone out of her way to build a safe and welcoming space and to partner with what she describes as “local, immigrant, BIPOC and LGBTQIA vendors and entrepreneurs.”
Vegan and gluten-free options are always available on her watch, and other specials vary by the week. One minute Monterrubio is whipping up pan de elote with rompope (a kind of boozy Mexican eggnog) and toasted amaranth. The next it’s MEX-style pan de muerto, a fragrant Day of the Dead tradition baked with orange, cinnamon, and anise seed.
Whatever you do, you must try her semi-occasional vegan mollettes brunch. It includes a chewy smoked onion bialy from Asa’s Bakery and guacamole made by her Madre. Get there early—it sells out fast! And follow @dulceriabakery to learn about future specials from one of the most charming new businesses in South Minneapolis. ❤️
Dulceria Bakery
1839 E. 42nd St., Minneapolis, MN; 612-886-1180.
