German Bread Bakery
Bear Claw
Bee Sting Cake
Pretzel Croissant
Apple Strudel
Almond Twist
Owned and operated by two of the most pleasant ladies I’ve yet to encounter in Las Vegas one would be hard pressed to name a more ‘authentic’ ethic destination in the city – Asian, European, Latin American, or otherwise. Featuring a wide variety of baked goods and imports both sweet and savory straight out of Deutschland at prices representing a veritable bargain compared to many of the area’s artisan bakeries it was plain on entry to the small shop that things were bound to be good when I heard staff and patrons communicating nearly exclusively in German and with no less than two dozen offerings available the only difficulties presented by German Bread Bakery was not ordering too much…eventually settling on a mere five selections at a total of $10.89. Focused on the classics, particularly those most familiar to me growing up to a Hungarian-German heritage, it was with an apple strudel that my tasting began and reheated quickly in the microwave I’d strongly suggest others do the same, the result a light trickle of butter running from the flaky dough as fresh apples and light sweetness found balance in hefty cinnamon notes and delicate pastry. Moving next to two almond options it was perhaps an effect of my 2pm arrival that the sole remaining bear claw was found to be a bit doughy though the frangipane was well utilized and moving on to the laminated layers of the almond twist I’d wager that no better exists in the city, a light glaze overlying toasted almonds as each shattering bite made a mess of my table and floor, a similar result found in the signature ‘pretzel croissant’ as buttery salted layers gave way to a soft crumb speckled with seeds and flavors harkening the Bavarian classic but ever more delicate. Last but certainly not least, my final taste of German Bread Bakery on this day was the classic Bienenstich – a dish rarely found but always astounding when done well and in this case done perfectly with light vanilla pastry cream proving a marvelous balance to rich almond/honey/butter crunch topping all anchored by the yeasty yellow cake – a must order more than worth a trip to both fans and those (unfortunately) not yet familiar.
