World Famous Potica & Fruitcake!

A tantalizing mix of ground walnuts, creamy butter, brown sugar, eggs, pure vanilla, and natural spices. No shortcuts, no industrial processes, just great results.

About Pep's

From Traditional Beginnings to Today’s Tasty Treats

Our journey all started with a treasured family recipe and grew into a destination for pastry enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. Nestled in the cozy town of Virginia, Minnesota, we’ve been mastering the craft of baking and sharing our love for the timeless Eastern European delight: Potica.

ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP

Potica, Biscotti & Fruit Cake in Minnesota

Welcome to Pep’s Bake Shop, Minnesota’s home for authentic Italian pastries. Our passion for baking began with a cherished family recipe and has grown into a destination for pastry lovers seeking handmade, artisanal treats. At Pep’s, we specialize in crafting the finest Potica, Biscotti, and Fruit Cake, each baked with a blend of heritage, quality ingredients, and a lot of heart.

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TRADITIONAL HAND-ROLLED ITALIAN PASTRY

Potica

Our Potica is more than just a pastry — it’s a centuries-old tradition rolled into every delicate spiral. Originally created by Mary Janezich in the early 20th century, this classic Italian pastry was later perfected by the Prebonich family, who added their unique blend of walnuts and raisins for an unforgettable flavor.

Each loaf is hand-rolled, pulled, and stretched by our skilled bakers, ensuring the perfect texture and consistency. Filled with ground walnuts, creamy butter, brown sugar, eggs, pure vanilla, and aromatic spices, our Potica is a true testament to the art of artisan Italian baking.

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TWICE BAKED TO PERFECTION

Biscotti

Our Biscotti are baked twice to achieve the signature crunchy texture and golden finish that Italian cookie lovers crave. Made with whole almonds, real butter, and a hint of citrus zest, these classic Italian cookies are perfect for dunking in coffee or tea.

From almond to chocolate-dipped varieties, our Biscotti are crafted for both everyday enjoyment and festive gifting, offering a delightful balance of crunch and subtle sweetness.

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RICH, MOIST, & FULL OF FLAVOR

Fruit Cake

Experience our Fruit Cake, a festive Italian dessert bursting with dried fruits, nuts, and brandy-infused spices. Unlike traditional fruit cakes, ours is moist, dense, and packed with flavor, making it a favorite for holidays or any special occasion.

Layered with cherries, apricots, raisins, and pecans, each cake is slow-baked to perfection.

Build Your Own Cakes

We offer a wide variety of cake flavors and sizes to suit any occasion. Flavor options include marble, white, chocolate, strawberry, red velvet, and many others available upon request. We also keep several premade cakes ready in our refrigerated showcase for your convenience.

A variety of fillings is available, including lemon, custard, almond, strawberry, and raspberry in either jelly or mousse. Frosting options include buttercream, whipped cream, cream cheese, raspberry, strawberry, or another requested flavor.

Our team can decorate your cake to your specifications, from figurines and toys to hand-drawn designs, decorative accents, and edible images. Whatever the occasion, we have you covered.

We Offer a Selection of Cake Sizes to Fit Your Needs

Full Sheet Cake

Serves 96 when cut into 2 x 2-inch pieces

Half Sheet Cake

Serves 48 when cut into 2 x 2-inch pieces

Quarter Sheet Cake

Serves 24 when cut into 2 x 2-inch pieces

6-inch Round Cake

Serves 6 people

8-inch Round Cake

Serves 8 people

9-inch Round Cake

Serves 12 people
Specialty Order

10-inch Round Cake

Serves 16 people

Taste the Tradition at Pep’s Bake Shop

This video is from several years ago, we have since changed ownership

Our Location

318 Chestnut St., Virginia, MN 55792

Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed