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8 Pennsylvania Orchards Where the Apple Cider Donuts Are a Must-Try

John Palmer 9 min read
8 Pennsylvania Orchards Where the Apple Cider Donuts Are a Must-Try

Cinnamon sugar on your fingers, a paper bag going see-through with warmth, and a farm stand you almost drove right past. That is how the best donut memories in Pennsylvania usually begin.

Across the state, family orchards press their own cider and turn it into small, cakey rings that taste like fall in a single bite. Grab a friend, clear your weekend, and get ready to plan a delicious road trip.

1. Highland Orchards, Inc., West Chester, PA

Highland Orchards, Inc., West Chester, PA
© Highland Orchards, Inc., West Chester, PA

Rolling Chester County farmland stretches out around this orchard, and on a crisp morning the open fields feel wide enough to lose track of time. Highland Orchards is a family-friendly stop built around seasonal pick-your-own fruit, with plenty of apple varieties to fill a bag.

It is the kind of place families return to year after year, sometimes for generations.

The bakery is where the real magic happens. Warm apple cider donuts come out alongside fresh-baked pies, and a jug of fresh-pressed cider makes the perfect partner for the drive home.

Jams and other farm treats line the market shelves too, so it is easy to leave with more than you planned.

Prices here tend to feel fair, which makes it simple to grab an extra donut for the car. The farm market is compact, but it packs in a surprising amount to browse.

After an afternoon of picking, a warm donut tastes like a well-earned reward.

Plan your visit for Tuesday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM, or weekends from 9 AM to 5 PM. The orchard is closed on Mondays, so do not make that mistake.

Free parking makes arriving an easy part of the day.

2. Weaver’s Orchard Inc, Morgantown, PA

Weaver's Orchard Inc, Morgantown, PA
© Weaver’s Orchard Inc, Morgantown, PA

Buy a dozen. Seriously, that is the unofficial rule at Weaver’s Orchard, because the donuts have a way of vanishing before you even reach the driveway at home.

Set in the scenic hills of Berks County, the orchard sits about 15 minutes from Reading and just 5 minutes from the Morgantown turnpike interchange. That makes it a handy stop on a longer road trip or a quick escape from town.

The farm market stays open all year, while pick-your-own fruit follows the seasons.

What sets these apple cider donuts apart is their delicate texture. They are light rather than heavy, and when you catch a batch still warm, the difference is obvious from the first bite.

Pair one with an iced coffee from the market, then add a jug of cider and maybe a small pumpkin to your haul.

Weaver’s also hosts family events and educational opportunities, so kids can learn a little about where their food comes from between snacks. Apple picking here is a classic fall outing, and the store makes a natural final stop afterward.

It is a full farm day wrapped up in one address.

Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Sundays are closed, so plan your donut cravings accordingly.

3. Solebury Orchards, New Hope, PA

Solebury Orchards, New Hope, PA
© Solebury Orchards, New Hope, PA

Simple can be wonderful. Solebury Orchards proves it with an easygoing approach to apple picking, where check-in is quick and there is no long list of rules to memorize before you head into the trees.

Out in rural Bucks County, a tractor wagon ride carries visitors from the farm to the orchard rows. Here is a fun twist: you can grab fresh-baked donuts and hot cider before boarding and enjoy them along the way.

Few snack breaks come with a better view.

The apples are plentiful and come in a nice range of varieties. Prices feel fair, and the cider itself is a standout, whether you sip it hot on a chilly day or iced when the afternoon warms up.

Caramel apples round out the sweet options for anyone who wants a second treat.

Of course, the apple cider doughnuts are the headliner. They strike that ideal balance of soft inside with a sugary coating that clings to your fingers.

Buying a few extra for later is a very smart move.

Solebury is typically open Thursday through Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM and closed Monday through Wednesday. Hours shift with the seasons, so check before you go.

4. Linvilla Orchards, Media, PA

Linvilla Orchards, Media, PA
© Linvilla Orchards, Media, PA

Pumpkins everywhere, corn on the cob stacked high, and a line forming at the bakery counter. Autumn at Linvilla Orchards feels like a festival, and the apple cider donuts are one of the biggest reasons crowds keep coming.

The Delaware County farm offers U-pick apples and pumpkins, plus a large farm store selling cider, seasonal local produce, and baked goods. Many visitors follow a favorite routine: pick your own apples first, then treat yourself to a round of freshly made donuts.

It is a tradition that works beautifully.

Beyond donuts, the bakery turns out cookies and pies worth trying. The market also carries prepared foods, organic products, and even a salad bar, so you can grab a real lunch before dessert.

Friendly staff help keep things moving on busy days.

Here is a pro tip for skipping the longest waits. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the busiest, while weekday evenings tend to be much calmer.

The lines can stretch on peak fall days, but a warm donut makes the wait feel worthwhile.

Linvilla opens at 8 AM every day, staying open until 8 PM most nights and 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Those long hours make it easy to squeeze in an after-work donut run.

5. Soergel Orchards, Wexford, PA

Soergel Orchards, Wexford, PA
© Soergel Orchards, Wexford, PA

Western Pennsylvania gets its own donut destination just north of Pittsburgh. Soergel Orchards is a longtime local favorite, and the fresh-made apple cider donuts are the item people warn you not to leave without.

Much more than a single orchard, the property blends a working farm with a garden center, a bakery, a fresh produce market, and its own cider press. That press matters.

Having cider made right on site means the flavor in every donut connects straight back to the farm.

Fall brings hayrides and fields full of pumpkins, which turns a quick stop into an afternoon. Caramel apples are a popular sweet treat, and the locally made applesauce deserves a spot in your basket too.

Bring a big bag, because the bakery shelves are tempting.

Soergel is open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons draw the biggest crowds, so a weekday morning visit is a relaxed alternative.

Either way, head to the bakery early before the freshest batch disappears.

6. Cherry Hill Orchards, Lancaster, PA

Cherry Hill Orchards, Lancaster, PA
© Cherry Hill Orchards, Lancaster, PA

Picture tickets instead of receipts. At Cherry Hill Orchards, apple pickers have been known to receive tickets they can trade in for apple cider donuts afterward, which might be the sweetest bonus in Lancaster County.

And these are not dainty donuts. They are big, generous, and full of flavor, the kind you might want to split with someone, or maybe not.

Cherry donuts also make an appearance, a fun nod to the orchard’s name.

The farm operates year-round, selling fruits and vegetables along with pies, jams, jellies, baked goods, and cider. Pick-your-own options let you choose from a wide selection of apples in season.

Surrounded by the patchwork farmland of Lancaster County, the setting feels calm and classic.

Do not skip the drinks. The cider here is a standout, and on warm days the slushies are an easy win for kids and grown-ups alike.

Friendly staff help make a quick visit feel welcoming.

The market sits on Long Lane and is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM, closed on Sundays. Saturdays get busy, while weekdays are noticeably quieter.

Free on-site parking keeps things simple.

7. Hollabaugh Bros., Inc., Biglerville, PA

Hollabaugh Bros., Inc., Biglerville, PA
© Hollabaugh Bros., Inc., Biglerville, PA

Few spots in the state can claim a better apple address. Biglerville is a small borough in the heart of Adams County’s apple country, and Hollabaugh Bros. has made itself right at home among the orchards.

The farm combines U-pick fun with a well-stocked market. Shelves carry fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked goods, along with ice cream and cider.

The apple selection is especially impressive, offering plenty of varieties for bakers and snackers alike.

Now for the donuts. The apple cider version is a must, and it fits right in with the bakery’s fresh breads and pies.

Many visitors build the perfect trio: a cider donut, a slice of apple pie, and a peach slushee to wash it all down.

Homemade applesauce is another treat worth carrying home. It makes a great souvenir that tastes like the countryside long after the trip.

Helpful service adds to the easy, friendly feel.

Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Saturdays are the busiest, so a Sunday afternoon or weekday morning offers more elbow room.

Pair the visit with a scenic drive through the surrounding orchards for a full day out.

8. Strites Orchards, Harrisburg, PA

Strites Orchards, Harrisburg, PA
© Strites Orchards, Harrisburg, PA

Central Pennsylvania keeps a few secrets, and Strites Orchards is one of the tastiest. Just outside Harrisburg in Dauphin County, this local farm has loyal fans who come back season after season just for the apple cider donuts.

The farm store is stocked with apples, berries, and pumpkins depending on the time of year. U-pick options let you gather your own fruit straight from the fields.

Orchard tours also offer a peek into how apples are grown and how cider gets pressed.

Treat time here has two stars. The apple cider donuts are the main event, but the cider slushies are a delicious surprise, especially on a sunny afternoon.

Ordering one of each is a very reasonable plan.

Fall adds a corn maze to the mix, which gives kids a chance to burn off some sugar. For U-pick apples, expect around $27 for a half bushel, so budget ahead if you plan to fill a big bag.

The fresh fruit and farm fun make it a memorable outing.

Strites is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM, Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. Those Sunday hours make it a handy choice when other farms are closed.

Wherever you start, one thing is certain: Pennsylvania’s orchard donuts taste best warm, shared, and eaten right where the apples grow.

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