Pendl’s Bakery

Driggs, Idaho

Updated: April 11, 2021

Tradition Never Tasted This Good.

In this week’s episode of our “Monday Morning Muffin” series we’re going to take a look at Pendl’s Bakery and Café in Driggs Idaho owned by Martha Pendl; but before we focus on her bakery, it’s important that we look to the past and visit Pendl’s Pastries, her father’s bakery. Fred Pendl, Martha’s father, was born in Austria and early on he knew he wanted to bake. At the age of fourteen he started his baking apprenticeship and launched his career in baking. Fred traveled the world perfecting his craft and created delicious pastries for all to enjoy. Through his travels, Fred landed in Sun Valley Idaho where he started a family and eventually opened up his own bakery. While working at Pendl’s Pastries, Fred raised four daughters, one of which was of course Martha. Martha loved working with her father and when she was small, it wasn’t unusual to see her ride into work on the back of her father’s bicycle. Fred taught Martha more than just recipes, he taught her tradition, and a love and respect for baking. After ten years of being business for himself, Fred closed Pendl’s Pastries doors, but Martha wasn’t done with baking quite yet.

In 2003, Martha opened the doors of Pendl’s Bakery and Café with the same passion and drive as her father had with his own bakery. Though the name has changed the taste remains the same, using traditional Austrian recipes, Martha makes delicious pastries just way her father taught her when she was growing up. Some of the authentic Austrian treats you can expect to find at Pendl’s Bakery and Café include Florentiners, a crisp cookie with thin layers of roasted almonds, dried cranberries and handmade glace oranges, a fantastic hot apple strudel, and fresh Schnecken, but you might know them better as cinnamon rolls.

Pendl’s Bakery and Café not only offers great food, but it also provides a laid back and relaxed atmosphere for you to enjoy what you’re eating. After getting your food, you can either eat inside along with the other customers and friendly staff or take your food out into the garden where you can enjoy the fresh air and a warm Idaho breeze. For the people of Driggs, Pendl’s Bakery and Café is a nice oasis from the hustle and bustle of their every day lives.

If you’re not fortunate enough to live near Pendl’s Bakery and Café or you’re looking for a great holiday present, the bakery does ship their cookies and pastries in beautifully assorted gift boxes during the holiday seasons. In these gift boxes, you can order some of the bakery’s more popular items like their signature Nussknacker, a praline creme and butter cookie, topped with almonds, hazelnuts, and drizzled in semi sweet chocolate…mmm just thinking about it makes my mouth water. If you’re ever around Driggs Idaho then you should definitely stop by Pendl’s Bakery and Café and try some authentic Austrian pastries that are out of this world.

For a taste of Pendl’s Bakery and Café in your own kitchen, try out their Pendl’s Wild Blueberry Muffins, and let us know how things turn out!
(Recipe generously provided by Martha Pendl of Pendl’s Bakery and Café in Driggs, ID)

Pendl’s has officially closed their doors, but their Blueberry Muffin recipe is still a gem.