Unearth The Voyage
Step inside Jaarsma Bakery in Pella and you immediately smell butter, cinnamon, and roasted almonds. This tiny Iowa icon has been perfecting Dutch treats since 1898, and locals swear the wait is always worth it.
You will find S shaped Dutch Letters piled high, gift shelves filled with Delft blue trinkets, and cheerful staff in traditional attire. If you love sweet traditions and charming small town vibes, this is your happy place.
The Legendary Dutch Letters
Ask anyone in Pella and they will point you to the famous S shaped Dutch Letters at Jaarsma Bakery. Flaky puff pastry hugs a rich almond paste filling, lightly glazed and dusted with sugar.
They are buttery, fragrant, and sized for sharing or not.
You will see trays disappear fast, especially during Tulip Time. The line moves, but order a few extra because they keep well.
Enjoy one warm with coffee on Franklin Street, then stash another for later. The crunch, the tender layers, the marzipan perfume it is pure Iowa Dutch happiness.
A Sweet History Since 1898
Jaarsma Bakery opened in 1898, anchoring Pella’s Dutch heritage with butter, flour, and family recipes. You feel that century of care the moment you push through the door.
The cases gleam with traditions that survived immigration, winters, and festivals.
You are not just buying pastries you are tasting a timeline. Staff share stories, regulars swap tips, and newcomers learn to say banket.
The building whispers history while ovens hum steadily at 6 AM. If you love places where time tastes sweet, this is your stop.
What To Order First
Start with a Dutch Letter, then add an almond tart, a cream horn, and something seasonal. You will thank yourself later.
The selection is big and the prices are friendly, so experimenting feels easy.
If crowds build, decide while the line snakes past the displays. Staff are helpful and will point you toward almond filled picks or less sweet options.
Grab a coffee cake for breakfast tomorrow and a pack of stroopwafels for the drive. You will leave with a box heavier than planned and zero regrets.
Inside The Two Sided Shop
Jaarsma is cleverly split into a bakery side and a gift shop. While you wait, browse Dutch candies, Delft style souvenirs, and kitchen goods.
It makes the line feel like part gallery, part treasure hunt.
If you need help on the gift side, catch a staff member early. On busy days you might re enter through the separate door.
It is quirky, but charming, like a tiny market stitched onto a historic bakery. You leave with treats and a keepsake, which feels perfectly Pella.
Timing Your Visit Like A Local
Doors open at 6 AM and early birds score the widest selection. By mid morning, the line can zigzag, especially near Tulip Time in late April and early May.
Go early, or order ahead if you are juggling a road trip schedule.
Street parking is nearby and the downtown is walkable. Even when it is busy, the line moves steadily and staff stay friendly.
You will see trays replenished often, but favorites can sell out. Plan your pastry strategy and you will cruise through with a happy box.
Almond Lovers’ Paradise
If almond paste makes you swoon, this is your paradise. Dutch Letters, Andre cookies, almond tarts, and banket line the cases with that marzipan glow.
Ask for guidance and you will be steered to the richest varieties.
Some treats lean very sweet, others deliver a balanced nutty finish. Pair with black coffee to cut the sugar and let the almond perfume bloom.
You will probably bring home extras for the freezer. Good news they ship, so your pantry can taste like Pella anytime.
Crowds, Lines, And Why It Is Worth It
Yes, you might wait twenty to thirty minutes on weekends or festival days. The reward is a box of fresh pastries that taste like tradition.
The staff keep things moving, and you can browse souvenirs while inching forward.
Decide your order early to avoid decision paralysis at the counter. If you are with a group, split the list so the box fills faster.
Everyone emerges smiling and slightly sugared. It is the quintessential small town experience that feels good from start to finish.
Cream Horns, Bismarcks, And Donuts
You will find flaky cream horns piped with sweet cream, classic Bismarcks, and old fashioned donuts. Some specials hit the freezer sale for fifty cents, which regulars stalk like hawks.
It is a great chance to try something new without spending much.
Ask which fillings are less sweet if you prefer subtle. Pair a donut with a stroll around the square for peak Pella vibes.
These everyday treats prove Jaarsma is more than Dutch Letters. It is a full spectrum bakery with Midwest value.
Prices, Portions, And Value
Expect wallet friendly prices and generous portions. Most pastries sit comfortably in the one to ten dollar range, making it easy to sample widely.
You can build a mixed box for a family breakfast without breaking the budget.
Quality is consistent, with flaky doughs and well packed fillings. If sweetness is a concern, ask for staff suggestions.
They will guide you toward balanced picks. Value is not just price you get craftsmanship, history, and a memorable Pella moment baked in.
Tulip Time Playbook
During Tulip Time, arrive before opening or order ahead online. The streets bloom with costumes, parades, and a pastry rush that feels festive and fast.
You will watch trays of Dutch Letters vanish and reappear in minutes.
Bring patience, curiosity, and a plan for carrying boxes. Snap photos outside under the tulip planters for the perfect small town shot.
Then wander to the square with a bag of stroopwafels in hand. It is Pella at full volume and Jaarsma is the delicious soundtrack.
Shipping And Gifting Joy
Cannot make it to Pella soon You can order select items shipped, including Dutch Letters and gift boxes. It is a lifesaver for birthdays, care packages, and holiday spreads.
Pair pastries with a Delft mug or stroopwafel tin from the gift side for a complete present. You will turn any ordinary coffee break into a tiny Dutch vacation.
Pro tip mail a box to yourself after your visit, so the memory lingers. Your future self will thank you when the doorbell rings.
Why It Feels Like The Capital Of Dutch Treats
Between heritage recipes, bustling lines, and signature Dutch Letters, Jaarsma feels like the unofficial capital of Dutch treats. You taste pride in every flaky bite.
The staff’s traditional attire and friendly pace seal the charm.
Throw in the walkable downtown, tulips, and a devoted fan base, and the title fits. You will leave with souvenirs, stories, and a box that rustles like applause.
In a tiny Iowa cafe sized bakery, big tradition lives on daily at 6 AM. That is why people drive hours for a pastry.
