This Pennsylvania Bakery Makes Giant Homemade Pies That Are Perfect For Thanksgiving Dinner
A bread made with toasted onions, poppy seeds, and cream cheese is so popular that the bakery trademarked its name.
That bread is called Spaghetti Bread, and no, there’s no pasta involved.
The same family behind it has been baking for five generations. The story starts in Germany and runs through a 1938 bakery in Germantown.
Today, a brick shop with white trim keeps that tradition going in central Pennsylvania.
I like how this place refuses to pick just one specialty. Cakes, European pastries, cookies, breads, and coffee all share the spotlight.
Every bit of it gets made from scratch, right on the premises. Then fall arrives, and the pies take over.
Pumpkin pie leads the charge for Thanksgiving, backed by a crowd of seasonal treats. So how full can one dessert table really get?
Five Generations Of Flour-Dusted Family History Live Here
Some family trees grow apples. The Schenk family tree grows bakers, and The Pennsylvania Bakery is where that tradition lands today.
It all began with John Schenk in early 20th century Germany. He and his wife Pauline later came to the United States and opened Schenk’s Bakery in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1938.
Their son, Ken Schenk Sr., kept the ovens warm with Schenk’s Pastry Shoppe in Mechanicsburg. Then Ken Schenk Jr. and his wife Michelle opened The Pennsylvania Bakery in Camp Hill in 1986.
That makes 2026 the bakery’s 40th year. Forty years of birthdays, weddings, and holiday tables is a pretty sweet track record.
Ken and Michelle run the business with their three daughters, Rachelle, Hillery, and Kendall. Rachelle Schenk Womer is part of the leadership team today.
The fifth generation is already growing up around the mixing bowls. I can’t imagine a better place to learn your colors than the frosting station.
The family describes the bakery as a community cornerstone built on faith, family, and quality. When you buy a pie here, you’re getting a slice of a story that crossed an ocean to reach your table.
Your Thanksgiving Pie Problem Gets Solved Right Here
Pumpkin pie is the headliner every November, and this bakery treats it with respect. Traditional pumpkin pie anchors the fall lineup at The Pennsylvania Bakery.
The real win is choice. The bakery offers a wide selection of pies in various sizes and flavors, so small gatherings and giant family feasts both get covered.
That flexibility matters more than people admit. Nobody wants to stretch one little pie across sixteen cousins and a hungry uncle.
Thanksgiving is a big moment for this shop. The bakery rolls out an abundance of pies and seasonal treats for the holiday.
Since everything gets made from scratch on the premises, these pies come from the same kitchen that has served the area since 1986. That’s a reassuring thought while you carry a box to the car.
A smart move is planning ahead before the holiday rush. Call early, ask about sizes and flavors, and lock in your order before the week gets hectic.
Your oven will thank you. So will whoever usually gets stuck baking at midnight.
Let someone with five generations of practice handle the crust this year.
Pumpkin Shows Up In More Places Than You’d Expect
Pumpkin fans, brace yourselves. Fall at this Camp Hill bakery turns into a full pumpkin parade.
The seasonal list includes pumpkin donuts, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin rolls, and pumpkin whoopie pies. There’s also pumpkin cheesecake for anyone who likes their dessert extra creamy.
Cupcakes get in on the fun too. Pumpkin spice and butterscotch cupcakes sit among the fall offerings, which sounds like autumn in frosting form.
Not everything is pumpkin, though. Apple cider doughnuts, caramel apple cheesecake, and fall butter cookies give the apple crowd plenty to cheer about.
This lineup is handy for Thanksgiving planning. A pumpkin roll or a tray of whoopie pies makes a fun side act next to the main pie.
Kids especially might prefer something they can hold in one hand. Whoopie pies are basically made for small fingers and big appetites.
I believe a good holiday dessert table needs variety. One pie is tradition, but a mix of treats turns dessert into an event.
Grab a few seasonal extras and let everyone pick a favorite.
Tin Ceilings And Wooden Tables Set A Cozy Mood
Look up when you step inside. Ornate tin ceiling tiles stretch overhead and give the room an old-fashioned charm.
The interior feels warm and inviting, and it often buzzes with activity. Glass cases full of treats make it very hard to keep your order short.
A seating area with wooden chairs and tables offers a cozy spot to slow down. It’s a nice place to split a pastry before heading back into the holiday chaos.
The overall vibe has been called a cozy haven. That fits a shop where cakes, cookies, breads, and coffee all share one room.
This setting makes pie pickup feel less like an errand. You might come for a pumpkin pie and leave with a coffee and a cookie in hand.
Good luck sticking to your list. The cases are stocked with everything from European pastries to cupcakes, and they’re arranged to tempt.
Give yourself a few extra minutes on each visit. Browsing here is half the fun, and the tin ceiling deserves at least one admiring glance.
A Brick Building That Grew Up Along With The Business
Red brick, white trim, and flower beds out front. The building at 1713 Market St, Camp Hill, PA 17011 looks like it belongs on a holiday card.
Patio seating adds another option when the weather cooperates. Crisp fall days are perfect for a coffee outside before the cold really settles over Pennsylvania.
The building hasn’t stayed the same size, though. In 1997, The Pennsylvania Bakery went through a major expansion.
That project more than doubled the space for baking and retail. More oven room means more capacity, which really matters when Thanksgiving orders start piling up.
I like how the expansion kept the classic look. The brick exterior still feels charming instead of oversized or plain.
Those flower beds are a nice touch that shows care beyond the kitchen. Small details like that tell you the family pays attention.
Snap a photo out front if you’re making a holiday tradition of your visit. A brick backdrop and a big pie box make a pretty great picture.
Spaghetti Bread Is Real, And It Has No Noodles
The name sounds like a lunchroom mix-up. Spaghetti Bread is actually a signature favorite made with toasted onions, poppy seeds, and cream cheese.
It’s one of the most distinctive items at The Pennsylvania Bakery. The family even registered Spaghetti Bread as a federal trademark, although that registration is no longer active.
For Thanksgiving, this could be a clever addition. A savory loaf gives guests something to nibble while the turkey finishes resting.
Breakfast fans have their own reasons to visit. Breakfast sandwiches are served daily until 11 AM.
The Sweetie combines a sticky bun with cream cheese, sweet scrambled egg, and bacon. Yes, a sticky bun.
Sweet and savory finally made peace.
The Pep In Your Step uses a pepperoni bread roll with mayonnaise, fried egg, mozzarella, and bacon. That’s a sandwich with serious ambition.
Grabbing breakfast during a pie pickup is a solid strategy. Holiday errands go much better with something warm in your stomach, so plan your trip before 11.
Cakes Turn Any Celebration Into A Showpiece
Pies may rule November, but cakes rule the rest of the calendar. The Pennsylvania Bakery creates custom cakes for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations.
Decorating styles range from simple to elaborate. You can go classic and clean or ask for something that looks like edible artwork.
That range is useful during the holidays too. A family birthday near Thanksgiving doesn’t have to get lost behind the pumpkin pie.
Cupcakes, cookies, and European pastries round out the sweet side. In a time when many bakeries focus on one thing, this shop proudly stays full-line.
The bakery blends traditional baking methods with fresh, creative ideas. That mix lets older family recipes sit comfortably next to newer trends.
For big events, starting the conversation early is wise. Custom designs take planning, and popular dates fill up fast during celebration season.
Bring photos or ideas to help explain your vision. Clear details make it easier to get a cake that feels exactly right for your crowd.
Gluten-Free Guests And Coffee Lovers Get Their Turn
Every Thanksgiving table has someone with a dietary need. Good news: the bakery offers gluten-free options.
That small detail can make a big difference. Nobody should sit out dessert while everyone else enjoys pie.
Ask the staff what gluten-free items are available when you order. Selections can change, so checking ahead keeps your holiday plans smooth.
Coffee also gets serious attention here. An on-site coffee shop means you can sip while you browse the cases.
Fall brings pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin cold brew, and even pumpkin nitro brew. That’s a lot of pumpkin in one cup lineup, and honestly, nobody’s complaining.
A warm latte also makes a nice reward after a busy morning of holiday shopping. Treat yourself before tackling the rest of your list.
The early 7 AM opening on weekdays helps too. You can grab coffee and a pastry before work and still have time to place that pie order.
Plan Your Pie Run Across The River From Harrisburg
Camp Hill sits just across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg. That makes The Pennsylvania Bakery an easy trip for city folks and suburban neighbors alike.
The town keeps a small-town feel while staying close to the capital. It’s a sweet balance for a family-run shop.
Hours run from 7 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 7 AM to 5 PM, and the bakery is closed on Sundays.
That Sunday closure matters for holiday planning. Pick up weekend treats on Saturday so you’re not stuck staring at a locked door.
The bakery also stays involved in local events and celebrations. It’s part of the Camp Hill community, not just a place on Market Street.
Thanksgiving week will be busy, so plan your timing carefully. Morning trips are a smart bet when you want the best selection.
Pennsylvania has no shortage of holiday traditions, and adding a pie run here could become yours. Forty years of practice suggests the ovens are ready whenever you are.