Unearth The Voyage
Michigan’s small towns hide some of the most delicious desserts you’ll ever taste. From pies bursting with fresh cherries to donuts made by local police officers, these sweet spots offer more than just treats – they tell stories of community and tradition. Whether you’re planning a road trip or just dreaming about your next dessert adventure, these bakeries and ice cream shops are worth the journey.
1. Sweetie-licious Bakery Café – DeWitt
Linda Hundt opened this beloved bakery in 2002, and it quickly became a local treasure. Her award-winning pies use Michigan-grown ingredients, bringing farm-fresh flavors to every slice.
Downtown DeWitt feels like stepping into a simpler time, especially inside this cozy café. Apple and cherry pies are customer favorites, but don’t overlook the cookies and cupcakes.
The vintage setting adds charm to every visit, making it feel like Grandma’s kitchen. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends over pie and coffee.
2. The Cherry Hut – Beulah
Since 1922, this lakeside legend has been serving up Michigan’s finest cherry desserts. The Cherry Hut sits in beautiful Beulah, where tart cherries grow abundantly in the surrounding orchards.
Their tart-cherry pies are made from locally harvested fruit, delivering that perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Cherry jam, ice cream, and other treats round out the menu beautifully.
For over a century, families have made this a tradition during their northern Michigan trips. It’s more than a restaurant—it’s a delicious piece of state history.
3. Achatz Handmade Pies – Armada
What started as a humble family operation grew into something special in Armada. Achatz Handmade Pies earned a loyal following by sticking to traditional methods and local ingredients.
Michigan 4-Berry and apple crumb pies showcase the state’s incredible fruit harvests. Every pie comes from locally sourced berries and apples, supporting nearby farms and orchards.
Rural Michigan traditions shine through in every flaky crust and sweet filling. This bakery proves that simple, honest baking never goes out of style in small towns.
4. Cops & Doughnuts – Clare
Here’s a story you won’t believe: local police officers saved this historic bakery from closing in 2009. Cops & Doughnuts operates from an 1896 building in downtown Clare, blending history with humor.
Felony Fritters and giant cinnamon rolls are legendary, alongside perfectly glazed donuts that melt in your mouth. The quirky police theme adds personality you won’t find anywhere else.
This isn’t just about saving a business—it’s about community stepping up for something they love. Every bite supports local heroes and preserves Michigan tradition.
5. Village Ice Cream & Café – Dimondale
Dimondale might be quiet, but this ice cream café brings plenty of joy to the neighborhood. Hand-dipped cones and sundaes taste exactly like childhood summers should.
The old-fashioned atmosphere transports you to simpler times, when ice cream shops were community gathering spots. Families have been making memories here for years, one scoop at a time.
Summer evenings feel magical when you’re enjoying a cone under Dimondale’s small-town stars. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down and appreciate life’s sweetest moments.
6. Michigan Cream & Sugar – Bay City
Opened in 2019, this artisan shop captures everything special about Michigan’s food scene. Small-batch ice cream made with local dairy tastes incredibly fresh and creamy.
Natural ingredients mean you’re getting real flavors without artificial additives or shortcuts. Bay City might be bigger than most small towns, but this place maintains that local, community-focused feeling.
State pride shows in every scoop, celebrating Michigan’s dairy farms and quality ingredients. Supporting places like this means supporting your neighbors and keeping traditions alive for future generations.
7. Jones Homemade Ice Cream – Baldwin
Since 1942, this family-owned gem has been cooling down Baldwin summers with homemade ice cream. Rich, creamy flavors keep customers coming back generation after generation.
Traditional favorites remind you why classic never goes out of style in desserts. Michigan road trips aren’t complete without stopping at beloved spots like this one.
Family ownership means recipes stay consistent and quality remains high year after year. Jones represents everything wonderful about small-town ice cream shops that refuse to cut corners or compromise on taste.
8. Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery – Fennville
Orchards surround this 1972 destination, making it perfect for fruit lovers and pie enthusiasts. Fresh fruit pies, crisps, and cider donuts showcase Michigan’s incredible harvest season.
Visitors can enjoy pie by the slice or take whole pies home to share. Cider and wine from the family’s orchards pair beautifully with every dessert.
Fennville’s fruit country provides the perfect backdrop for this cornerstone business. Watching apples and cherries grow nearby makes each bite taste even more special and connected to the land.
