Jaarsma Bakery - Pella, IA

Posted By Michael Stern on May 4, 2007 6:08 PM

Probably the most famous things made at Jaarsma Bakery are Dutch letters – giant-size pastries in the form of the alphabet. They’re swell, and no one should visit Pella without eating at least a monogram; but Dutch letters are only a hint of the glories to be found on Jaarsma’s shelves. To the left as you enter are racks of sunny-yellow angelfood cakes made into circles and loaves. To the right are cases filled with dozens of beautiful pastries, many with such enchanting names as krackelings, goat’s legs, almond bankets, and figure 8s.

Above the pastries on the top shelf are two kinds of bread, both of which we find irresistible. One is apple bread, a gnarled loaf with a frosted top. It is more pastry-like than bread-like, and makes us think of what Paul Bunyan might have with his morning cup of coffee. The other favorite is cinnamon bread – a soft, swirled loaf with veins of moist cinnamon sugar folded inside. We suppose that a civilized person buys these loaves, takes them home, and uses a knife to slice them. We have never done that. We buy one of each, hit the road, and tear at them in the front seat like hungry wolverines.

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Posted By Heather Johnson on October 26, 2010 10:12 AM

The Dutch Letters are fantastic! I worked in Cedar Rapids but often had a trip to Pella/Des Moines to visit other colleges. Every time someone was heading that way - we made sure to put in an order for some dutch letters. These delightful treats are big and flaky and really tasty. They're all the letter "S" - just so you know - you can't order an "H" or anything like that. Pella is full of little shops and things like that but the Jaarsma Bakery is one that cannot be missed!

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Dutch letters

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Posted By Becky Schultz on December 27, 2007 5:15 PM

I grew up near Pella and try to get to Jaarsma whenever I can. The pastry cases are piled high with traditional favorites you won't want to miss. The Dutch letters are my favorite. They come in only one letter, an "S." Flaky pastry surrounds a delicious almond paste filling. They're baked a very light brown and sprinkled with sugar. We recommend getting a dozen, because they keep well and can also be frozen. Other favorites are old-fashioned creme horns, with creamy filling guaranteed to end up everywhere and various coffee breads, dusted generously with sugar and almonds.

The staff is friendly and efficient, and an imposingly long line melts away quickly. Visitors should try to come during the annual Tulip Festival the first weekend in May. People dress in traditional Dutch costumes to welcome thousands from all over.

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