Carstens' Bakery continues its legacy of making delicious pies, fresh bread, pastries and more

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IDAHO FALLS — Carstens’ Bakery is an iconic part of eastern Idaho history. It’s been on Cliff Street since 1968 and, until last year, was run by Willi Carsten. Carsten died in January 2022 and now his grandson, Ben Borsik, is the chief baker and owner of the business.

Borsik was raised in the bakery and knows how to make a delicious treat. He’s up every morning at 3 a.m. mixing, baking and glazing dozens of glazed, huckleberry or chocolate covered donuts.

If you’re looking for fresh bread, Carstens’ has you covered and is serving up just-out-of-the-oven pumpkin chocolate chip bread this time of year.

“We took Grandpa’s old banana bread recipe, subtracted the bananas, added pumpkin and it comes out pretty good,” Borsik explains.

Another seasonal speciality is huckleberry danishes filled with huckleberry syrup. And if you’re looking for a new treat, you have to try miniature versions of Carsten’s ‘beehive cake.’

“For many years, my grandpa always made the beehive cake. It’s basically a white cake baked like a sticky bun with almonds and walnuts encrusted in the honey glaze. There’s custard in the middle and you can’t beat them,” Borsik says.

He’s right. The mini beehives have a crunchy, honey-glazed shell covering a fluffy cake and gooey custard center. We dare you to eat just one.

Raisin-filled and chocolate chip cookies are also a hit but lately Borsik has been gearing up for Thanksgiving as he plans to bake hundreds of pies. From apple to cherry to peach and Dutch apple, you can order your pies until Monday.

Carsten’s Bakery is located at 243 Cliff Street and is open Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. You can follow their Facebook page here and place orders by calling (208) 529-3629.