With Easter this weekend, Mother’s Day on May 12, and graduation and wedding season about to begin, our thoughts center around one question: What’s for dessert? Spring and summer are filled with occasions that call for celebrating. Head to one our favorite Naperville-area bakeries for a top selection of desserts that make entertaining a piece of cake.

A few of these bakeries are Circle of Friends partners. We started the Circle of Friends program in 2015 to promote the shop local movement. Each month we highlight a local businesses in the community to promote a special offer. The businesses we partner with and promote are hand-selected for their like-minded approach to enhancing the local communities we serve. Want to join Circle of Friends to get those special offers? Just sign up here.

DeEtta’s Bakery, Naperville

Everything on offer in this amazing bakery is made from scratch on the premises. DeEtta’s specializes in artisan-baked goods for every occasion, from scones to gorgeous wedding cakes. Located at 428 West Fifth Avenue in Naperville, DeEtta’s transforms real butter, sugar, flour, and eggs into delectable desserts, pastries, and breads. Can’t live without a daily doughnut treat? DeEtta’s won best doughnut at the Chicago Doughnut Fest for their chocolate sour cream old fashioned doughnut. Located at428 West Fifth Avenue in Naperville. DeEtta’s is a Circle of Friends partner.

Ingram’s Busy Bee Bakery, Downers Grove

Ingram’s Busy Bee Bakery features freshly-made baked goods for many occasions. This Downers Grove bakery offers special cakes for birthdays, parties, weddings and more. Ingram’s also has delicious donuts, eclairs and other treats available. Insider tip: This is the place to go for paczkis — traditional Polish pastries that are fried like donuts and generously filled with a wide variety of fillings. Ingram’s makes 17 varieties from apple to fresh strawberry. Located at 5126 Main Street in Downers Grove.

Kirschbaum’s Bakery, Western Springs

Voted the Sweetest Bakery in Illinois, Kirschbaum’s Bakery provides a wide selection of cakes for every occasion, including round cakes, sheet cakes, and specialty tortes. Customers can order custom cakes to celebrate birthdays, holidays, graduations and other memorable occasions. Kirschbaum’s Bakery also offers several other freshly-baked treats available for different occasions, including coffee cakes, pies, sweet rolls, and pastries. Kirschbaum’s is one of suburban Chicago’s most established bakeries. Founded in 1953,  this family-run bakery has seen three generations of Kirschbaums serving area residents and visitors from across the country. Located at 825 Burlington Avenue in Western Springs.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, Naperville

Nothing Bundt Cakes provides a great alternative to traditional cakes. This bakery specializes in Bundt cakes and features more than 40 cake designs. Customers can also choose from 10 different flavors for their custom Bundt cakes, which can be ordered for birthdays, congratulations, thank you gifts, seasonal occasions and more. Nothing Bundt Cakes was a Circle of Friends partner in 2017.  Their shop also offers gifts, cards, and decor, enhanced by the aroma of freshly-baked cakes. Online ordering is available, but you’ll want to visit this luscious bakery in person. Located at 2860 Showplace Drive in Naperville.

Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery, Naperville

Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery has several locations in Chicago’s western suburbs, including Naperville, DeKalb, Elmhurst, and Western Springs. Instead of having a cake for a special occasion, customers can order a batch of cupcakes in one or more of the bakery’s notable flavors, such as hot fudge sundae, red velvet, or chocolate cream. Smallcakes offers gluten-conscious cupcakes every Friday and Saturday. While they are not a gluten-free facility, they bake the gluten-free items first and separately with separate utensils and pans. Get every 12th cupcake free when you join their customer loyalty program. What a sweet offer! Located at 111 East Ogden Avenue in Naperville.

Steve Buresh’s Cheesecake Store and Sandwich Shop, Plainfield

Steve Buresh’s Cheesecake Store and Sandwich Shop offers specialty cheesecakes and traditional ones for special events and occasions. Customers can order a specially-made cheesecake in flavors like espresso chocolate chip, cookies and cream, blueberry, and birthday cake batter. Steve Buresh’s Cheesecake Store is also home to the famous Mason jar cheesecakes, which make ideal gifts for special occasions. Located at 14210 South Route 30 in Plainfield.

Happy Dog Barkery, Downers Grove

This bakery is for the dogs! Happy Dog Barkery makes cakes in a range of sizes for your four-legged family member. Your pup can enjoy a single-dog sized cake or share a larger one with friends. All cakes are grain-free and available in-store and for custom and online orders. Custom cakes are made fresh and require 48 hours advance notice. The peanut butter cake is their most popular flavor. The canine cake menu also includes pumpkin, carob, coconut, liver, and ginger molasses. These frosted cakes offer two options: a honey and cream cheese frosting or a dairy-free alternative make with oat flour with your choice of applesauce or pumpkin. At Happy Dog, the focus isn’t just on dessert. This pet specialty store offers three stews each week from a menu of 25 flavors. In addition to toys and chews, Happy Dog sells a selection of dog treats from cookies to biscuits. Every dog that visits gets a free sample of their number-one selling Leapin’ Liver Cake. Located at 5118 Main Street in Downers Grove. Happy Dog Barkery is a Circle of Friends partner for this month. Check out our video to learn more about their special April offer.