Some of the best pies in Indiana are sold on county roads with no stoplights in sight. Amish bakeries across the state turn out cinnamon rolls, fry pies, and fresh loaves by hand, often starting before sunrise.
These seven stops stretch from the farm country near Middlebury down to the hills outside Salem, and each one gives you a different reason to take the slow way. Bring a cooler, check the hours, and plan to leave with more than you meant to buy.
1. Country Lane Bakery, Middlebury, IN
Opening at 5 AM on weekdays, Country Lane Bakery is built for early risers. Get there before lunch, because the doors close at 2 PM Tuesday through Friday and at 1 PM on Saturday.
The bakery sits on County Road 43, out among the Elkhart County farm fields rather than in downtown Middlebury. It is Amish owned and operated, and everything is made by hand.
Cinnamon rolls are the signature item here, and fresh pies share the spotlight. The caramel apple cake and the jalapeño cheese bread are two less expected picks that make this stop stand apart.
Prices stay friendly, too. A loaf of bread plus a six-pack of pastries can come in under twenty dollars, which makes it easy to stock up.
Plan on takeout only, since there is no dine-in seating. Free parking is available in the lot and along the street, and the bakery is closed Sunday and Monday.
2. Essenhaus Bakery, Middlebury, IN
Raspberry cream, coconut cream, butterscotch. The pie case at Essenhaus Bakery reads like a dessert menu all by itself.
Located on US-20 in Middlebury, this is the easiest stop on the list to reach, and it keeps the longest hours, open until 8 PM Monday through Saturday. The space is bright and clean, with a fireplace that makes lingering tempting.
Amish cooks handle the baking. Beyond pies by the slice, the shelves carry donuts, breads, fried pies, fudge, and personal-size flavored breads that make good road snacks.
I would save room in the trunk for the pantry goods. Apple butter, jams, jellies, Amish noodles, and chocolate are all for sale.
Coffee and bagels with cream cheese make it a solid breakfast stop. Saturday afternoon is the busiest stretch, so Monday or Tuesday morning is the calmer choice.
3. Dutch Pantry (Bulk Foods, Bakery, Deli, Made-to-Order Sandwiches), Odon, IN
Lunch and dessert in one stop is the practical reason to point the car toward Odon. Dutch Pantry pairs a made-to-order sandwich counter with a bakery and bulk foods section.
The store is Amish run and sits on County Road 1100 E in Daviess County, home to one of southern Indiana’s larger Amish communities.
Bakery shelves hold coffee cakes, pumpkin cake, banana nut bread, and fresh loaves of Amish wheat bread. Refrigerated treats fill out the sweet side.
The aisles also carry cookbooks, cider, clothing, and good produce, so it works as a grocery run too.
Hours run 8:30 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and until 4 PM Saturday. Saturday mornings get busy, and parking is free.
4. Country Creations – Bake Shop and Deli, Versailles, IN
Fry pies and filled donuts are the stars at this Ripley County bake shop, and a homemade apple hand pie is a strong runner-up.
Country Creations is Amish owned and sits right on US-421 near Versailles, surrounded by southeastern Indiana farm fields. Its roadside spot makes it a simple add-on for anyone driving through the area.
The deli side serves fresh sandwiches. A specialty cheese selection rounds things out for anyone building a picnic.
Weekday mornings tend to be quiet, while Saturday afternoon draws the biggest crowd. The shop is open 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday and until 4 PM on Saturday.
5. Guion Hill, Marshall, IN
Parke County is famous for covered bridges, but Guion Hill gives road-trippers another reason to cruise State Road 236.
The Amish owned and operated stop near Marshall turns out baked goods that look as good as they taste. Flavored breads, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and hand pies sized for one person line the shelves.
Weekends bring a bonus. Soft pretzels show up on Saturdays, which makes the end of the week the best time to visit.
I like this one as a pairing with a covered bridge loop through the rolling hills of the county. Hours run 8:30 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.
6. Rentown Country Store, Bremen, IN
A shopping cart is the right tool here, not a small paper bag. Rentown Country Store pairs a large Amish bakery selection with a full country grocery.
The store sits on 3rd Road outside Bremen in Marshall County. Fresh baked goods share space with cheeses, deli meats, bulk foods, frozen foods, cereal, and candy.
Home cooks will find canning equipment, pots, pans, and spices too. In season, there is fresh produce, plus flowers and pumpkins in the fall.
Cheese prices are a big draw, and the variety makes it easy to put together a full spread with bread from the bakery.
Open 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays and until 3 PM Saturday. Weekday mornings are quietest, and on-site parking is available.
7. Dutch Bakery, Salem, IN
Slow down on Washington School Road. The hills hide buggies, bicycles, and scooters, and the reward at the end is Dutch Bakery.
This small Amish store near Salem handles both deli and bakery duty. A smoked ham and Muenster sandwich on home-baked white bread is a classic order.
Fruit pies are the main event. Blackberry, apple, and cherry are among the flavors, and fresh bread is on hand as well.
Prices land in the one to ten dollar range per person, which is hard to beat for a full lunch with dessert.
Note the schedule before heading out. The bakery is closed Wednesday and Sunday, open 9 AM to 5 PM on other weekdays and until 2 PM Saturday.
Seven stops, seven sets of county roads, and plenty of pie. Pick one close to home or link a few together for a weekend of slow driving and good baking.
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