Cinco de Mayo Bakery

How do I tell you just how wonderful this bakery is? Ok, let me start by saying that my daughter’s Quinceñero was in less than a month. I was still cake shopping due to someone leaving me hanging. I was referred to a bakery in downtown Aurora that was very nice but way, WAY out of my budget. I was really freaking out and randomly began calling bakeries (seriously, randomly. Like Googled on my phone «bakeries within a 15 mile radius» and just went down the list) to get a quote for a cake for 130 people, 3 different flavors. Cinco de Mayo Bakery BLEW ME AWAY WITH THEIR QUOTE. So, immediately I went to the store and went into detail with what I wanted thinking that maybe they didn’t understand and that’s why they under-​quoted me. The baker was even so kind as to come out and speak with me. We drew out our ideas and discussed EVERY LAST DETAIL from the colors, to the flavors and unique fillings, and the price was so under what that other bakery wanted to charge, I was left beside myself in disbelief. Not to mention, THEY WERE RIGHT IN LINE WITH WHAT I BUDGETED FOR THE CAKE (which truly was not much because we’re not big cake eaters). Allow me to disclose that no one in my immediate family, including the birthday girl, likes cake very much at all. We’re just not fans, so my next assumption was that perhaps the quality wasn’t going to be very good. WRONG! EVERYONE at the Quince commented on how AWESOME and delicious and scrumptious this cake was! EVEN MY FAMILY HAD 2ND AND 3RD PIECES AND WE COULDN’T GET ENOUGH! This Bakery is amazing! I’ve detailed the deliciousness and how accommodating they were, but also their service is outstanding! This cake was beautiful, and they delivered it, and they took care of every detail, and I was worry-​free! I’m actually going back just to buy myself a little birthday cake just for the 5 of us. Just AWESOME! Love this place forever grateful!

Wow, I can’t believe that someone hasn’t written a review yet for this place. Those familiar with La Chicanita on New York Street don’t really need to read any further; this bakery is the original and (up until recently) went by the same name. I was concerned when I saw Cinco De Mayo on the front of the building, but was immediately put at ease when I walked inside and saw the sign. Please don’t think that the bakery has changed, because, despite its name, it hasn’t – same owners, employees, and bread – even the layout hasn’t changed. Mexican bakeries are very common in Aurora, but I think that this one, along with La Chicanita is the best.
For those who aren’t familiar with Mexican baking, it’s more closely related to European (Spanish and French) baking than American, and is SO much more than just the ubiquitous Concha with which most people are familiar. The baked goods tend to be drier and less sugary than American pastries, and… let us say more rustic than European pastries; another HUGE difference between Mexican bakeries and other bakeries is the pricing – most things are less than a buck.
When you walk in, you grab a tray and some tongs and load up from the three rows of cases, plus there’s also a refrigerated section with whole cakes and other treats that I’ve never tried but do mean to! You take your tray to the counter and they pack it up for you and ring you up. There’s a row of sweet breads and Cuernitos (they LOOK like croissants), and two rows of cake slices, cupcakes, cookies, and doughnuts; however, despite how familiar some of these things appear, they will NOT be/​taste like what you’d expect. I prefer American and European pastries over Mexican, and up until a few years ago I really didn’t like Mexican baking at all, preferring American cakes and cupcakes (lighter, finer), cookies (chewier), and doughnuts (fluffier, more moist), and European breads (richer, more moist) and pastries (richer, more flaky). THAT SAID, I have certainly developed an appreciation and a liking for Mexican baked goods, for their simple, rustic nature and subtle sweetness. What separates this bakery from the dozens of others isn’t just some of their rarer offerings, but the tastier, more moist versions of Mexican bakery staples. Some of my favorite things are:
Piedra De Chocolate (chocolate rock), a cakey lump of Mexican-​chocolate-​flavored dough, it’s rich and dense but not overwhelming.
Twisted Bread Thingy (obviously not an official name), for being just fluffy bread coated in sugar, it’s surprisingly satisfying.
Corn Muffin, easily the most most thing I’ve ever had at a Mexican bakery, or maybe even in general, it has a great corn sweetness and is easily spotted as it’s baked with a small piece of corn husk sticking out.
Pretzel Bread Looking Thing With Sesame Seeds, located in the racks next to the donuts, it’s stuffed with cream cheese and chile en vinegare (jalapenos in vinegar) and makes a great snack or light lunch.
I have yet to stray from the baked goods into the refrigerated items and whole cakes, or try the drinks and juices that are offered, but when it comes to Mexican sweet bread, this – I feel – is the place to get it.