about us
Boonzaaijer's Dutch Bakery in Colorado Springs
We appreciate your interest in Boonzaaijer’s Dutch Bakery, proudly serving Colorado Springs with time-honoured European tradition. Recognised with multiple Gold Awards from both The Gazette and The Independent, we’re grateful for the trust of our community.
Browse our extensive selection of in-house baked goods—crafted daily by our dedicated team of artisan bakers and decorators—knowing you’re in good hands.
Our Story
A Legacy That Began in 1896
Boonzaaijer’s Dutch Bakery opened its doors in Colorado Springs in 1999, founded by fourth-generation baker Stephen Boonzaaijer. The story behind the bakery is a richly rooted family legacy—one that began in the Netherlands in 1896, when Karel Hendrick Boonzaaijer I established the family’s first bakery. His son, Karel Hendrick II, followed in his footsteps, and the tradition continued across the Atlantic when Karel Hendrick III immigrated to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1960, founding a shop in 1964 renowned for its Bavarian crème cakes and pastries.
Nurtured from a Young Age
As is customary in many European households, the Boonzaaijer children learned the craft from a young age, and Stephen was no exception—working in the family bakery from the age of five and through his university years. Eager to deepen his knowledge, he pursued formal pastry training in the Netherlands, mentored by his maternal uncle, G.C. Oorbeek of Patisserie Oorbeek. Through the esteemed Het Patisserie College—a collective of respected patisseries—Stephen undertook apprenticeships across the country and completed rigorous academic training. He later served as 1st Baker at Top’s Edelgebak in Bilthoven.
Bringing European Craft to Colorado Springs
Upon returning to the U.S., Stephen refined his craft further at Colorado Springs’ Broadmoor Hotel as a demi-chef, and later as pastry chef at Cunningham’s Market. In March of 1999, with a blend of determination and entrepreneurial spirit, he founded Boonzaaijer’s Dutch Bakery—an establishment that has since earned a devoted following for its commitment to quality, tradition, and beautifully crafted pastries, cakes, and wedding confections.