This Amish Grocery Store In Michigan Has Homemade Pies That Steal The Spotlight
Deep in the heart of Clare, the world softens as you turn onto the gravel hush of S Eberhart Avenue. My car windows always seem to roll themselves down here, lured by an intoxicating, heavy perfume of browned butter and spicy Ceylon cinnamon that drifts across the fields.
Country Cookstove Bakery and Bake Shop is a humble sanctuary where the atmosphere is thick with old-school hospitality and the warmth of ovens working at full tilt.
I’ve watched trays of golden, glazed cinnamon rolls disappear in a blink, leaving only the sweet scent of success behind. The fry pies are legendary: crisp, handheld pockets of fruit-filled joy that make you grin long after the last crumb is gone.
With short hours and a fiercely loyal following, navigating this landmark requires a bit of local wisdom. These ten field-tested tips are your secret weapon for snagging the best breads before the “Sold Out” sign makes its inevitable appearance.
Arrive Before The Bell
The line forms early because doors open at 9 am on Friday and Saturday, and the best sellers move first. You will see pickup trucks, families, and that calm Midwest hustle that means business. Early birds claim cinnamon rolls and the most popular fry pie flavors before they vanish.
It pays to be leaning against your car door a few minutes early, the air is crisp, the birds are chirping, and the anticipation is part of the flavor.
The display case is compact, so quick decisions help everyone. Scan the handwritten labels for sugar free pies, seasonal items, and those famous cream sticks. If you arrive much past 11 am, the selection narrows significantly, and closing can happen the moment the shelves are empty.
Bring cash for speed, though cards may vary by season. Park respectfully along the drive, greet your neighbors in line, and remember that patience pays off when the trays come out steaming.
Preorder Like A Regular
Locals say you should call by Wednesday if you want weekend guarantees. Cinnamon rolls and certain artisanal breads sell fast, and preordering prevents the heartbreak of an empty shelf. Ask politely about pickup windows and confirm your name, quantity, and any sugar free options you might need for the family.
There is no flashy computer system here, just a reliable notebook and a careful memory. Preordering respects the bakery’s rhythm and ensures they can bake efficiently without waste. If your plans change, do the neighborly thing and call back promptly so another customer can swoop in and claim your spot.
Keep your phone handy on pickup morning, walk in calm, and collect your box with that small sense of victory that comes from thinking ahead.
Make Fry Pies The Headliner
The first bite of a Country Cookstove masterpiece gives a soft crackle, followed immediately by a rush of fruit, the hallmark of their legendary fry pies. Whether you choose apple, peach, or whatever seasonal filling is currently in rotation, you’ll find a bright, clean sweetness rather than cloying syrup.
The dough is remarkably tender with a light glaze that shimmers without being overly sticky.
These hand pies are a recurring theme in customer praise for good reason. They balance pure comfort with tidy portability, making them the perfect companion for car rides down quiet Clare roads. If you spot a new flavor on the handwritten sign, do not hesitate, grab it.
Buy extra because one always disappears faster than planned. To keep them fresh at home, wrap leftovers in paper instead of plastic to preserve that delicate texture, then warm them gently on a low oven rack later to let the glaze relax and the fruit bloom again.
Cinnamon Rolls Sell Themselves
Whether they are maple iced, caramel kissed, or topped with classic white icing, the cinnamon rolls are the bakery’s ultimate crowd magnet. The spirals are tight, featuring even ribbons of sugar and cinnamon tucked into a buttery crumb that tears in satisfying, pillowy flakes.
They sell out with incredible speed, often before the clock even strikes 10 am.
History here favors tradition over trends, which keeps these rolls honest. You won’t find preservatives or shortcuts, just patient dough and generous frosting. Reviews frequently call them the best in the state, and the length of the morning line seems to agree.
If you want a guaranteed box, preorder midweek and specify your preferred icing. Be sure to bring napkins for the car because warm icing tends to drift, and try to share, though keeping one for breakfast tomorrow is a wise move, provided it survives the ride home.
Mind The Limited Hours
The shop keeps a modest schedule, typically Friday and Saturday mornings, and they are famous for closing early when the last loaf is gone. Online listings might occasionally show later hours, but in Clare, the shelves rule the clock.
To avoid the noon disappointment that some long-distance travelers report, aim to arrive as close to opening as possible.
Think of it as market timing, the baked goods dictate the day and the supply dictates the sign on the door. When the trays are empty, the bakers tidy up and head back to their lives on the property. If you are driving from a long distance, it is always a good idea to call ahead.
Confirm the week’s plan, any holiday quirks, or seasonal closures. You will save gas, spare your mood, and ensure you walk in ready for what is actually available that day.
Follow The Bread Trail
Jalapeno cheddar, garlic dill, cinnamon swirl, and Italian herb and cheese show up in rotating glory on the bread racks. These loaves are sturdy without being heavy, making them the ideal base for a gourmet grilled cheese or the best breakfast toast of your life.
The crusts run a beautiful golden-brown and are slightly blistered, reflecting the careful oven management of the bakers.
The bakery’s history with simple, preservative-free formulas allows the natural flavors of the grain and cheese to speak. While you’re browsing, look for the spreads and jams on the shelves that pair perfectly with the bread, including sugar free options that taste clean and bright.
Ask the staff which loaves freeze best, most of them hold up wonderfully. Slice them thick for sandwiches and let that cheddar melt slowly, you’ll soon understand why regulars drive from Farwell and beyond for their weekly bread fix.
Sugar Free That Satisfies
Skeptics quickly become converts at the pie case marked sugar free. The fruit flavors lean on natural ripeness and balance, successfully avoiding the flat or chemical aftertaste that plagues so many modern substitutes.
Their jams also come in sugar free versions that keep their character and spread beautifully on a warm piece of toast.
Technique really matters here. The bakers build these pies with tidy crimping and generous filling, then bake them to a patient, even gold. The result is a slice that feels celebratory and indulgent without the subsequent sugar crash.
Ask which fruits are peaking that week for the best experience. Taking a sugar free pie to a family gathering is a considerate move that doesn’t feel like a compromise, it’s a rare find that tastes just as good as the original.
Respect The Pickup Rhythm
Orders are often pickup only, and because the counter space is quite small, it’s best to arrive ready. Have your name, your item list, and your payment handy to keep the line moving smoothly for everyone behind you.
The staff works with a calm, efficient speed and deeply appreciates clear, direct requests.
Visitors usually chat softly in the queue and step aside to pack their boxes into their cars. Keep an eye out for the friendly yard dog that sometimes wanders nearby, but be sure to keep the bakery doors closed to maintain that perfect temperature inside.
Packaging is kept simple and traditional, which actually helps the goods cool properly and prevents the tops from getting soggy. Bring a flat surface in your trunk, maybe a folded towel, to keep those precious boxes from sliding around on the drive home.
Seasonal Timing Pays Off
Summer brings fuller cases and longer lines, while the deep Michigan winter may mean more limited openings. Holiday weekends naturally amplify demand, so plan for an even earlier arrival and faster sellouts during those times.
Some months bring temporary closures that can catch casual travelers off guard if they haven’t checked ahead.
The bakery has been a local favorite for over a decade, and that long-standing rhythm shapes the community’s expectations. Locals tend to phone in midweek, tourists roll in on Friday, and Saturday mornings always feel a bit like a community festival.
Treat the calendar like an ingredient in your planning. Check recent reviews for fresh intel on any unexpected closures. If you do hit a quiet Friday, grab extra and freeze it, the breads toast beautifully from frozen and the pies rewarm low and slow in the oven.
Price, Value, And Restraint
The prices at Country Cookstove are remarkably friendly for the quality, a point that regulars mention almost as often as the taste. It is incredibly easy to overbuy, especially when you see those fry pies winking at you and the cinnamon bread stacked high.
A simple plan keeps your budget tidy and your car from smelling like a bakery explosion for the next week.
Start your collection with one pie, one loaf of bread, and perhaps one curiosity like breakfast crunch or the cream sticks. Then, add a jar of jam or jalapeno pepper spread if it suits your dinner plans.
Let variety beat out volume. Always ask the staff what just came out of the oven and be willing to pivot your choice based on freshness. You will leave with a small, excellent haul that honors your appetite without turning your afternoon into a sugar sprint.