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This Connecticut Farm Store Is A Thanksgiving Favorite For Homemade Pies, Ice Cream, And Holiday Treats

Daniel Mercer 9 min read
This Connecticut Farm Store Is A Thanksgiving Favorite For Homemade Pies, Ice Cream, And Holiday Treats

Thanksgiving dinner in a sundae bowl? Connecticut has a turkey farm that decided the holiday feast needed a new serving dish.

It’s called the Hot Gobbler Sundae, and yes, it’s savory. Someone took Thanksgiving dinner and gave it an ice cream parlor makeover.

Grandma might have a few questions.

But there’s actual homemade ice cream here, too, along with fresh pies, apple cider doughnuts, and enough tempting treats to make your shopping list completely useless.

The farm store is packed with New England goodies, and the on-site café is ready to turn your quick grocery run into a full-blown food mission.

You came for Thanksgiving supplies, but now you’re debating whether two pies would be excessive.

I’d worry less about the pies and more about explaining why you ate a Thanksgiving sundae before Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Shopping Feels Different At This Family Farm

Thanksgiving Shopping Feels Different At This Family Farm
© Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, LLC

Most Thanksgiving shopping trips involve crowded supermarket aisles and a long list of things you forgot. Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm offers a more relaxed way to prepare for the holiday.

The family-run farm store in Sterling brings together homemade baked goods, locally produced foods, and seasonal favorites from around New England.

Fresh pies and apple cider doughnuts make a tempting first stop. Cheese, maple syrup, honey, and other specialty products add even more possibilities for the holiday table.

There’s something satisfying about picking up ingredients and treats from a farm rather than rushing through a big grocery store.

The shelves also offer inspiration for Thanksgiving host gifts. A jar of local honey, a homemade treat, or a selection of regional goodies can make a thoughtful surprise.

And the experience isn’t only about shopping. The farm’s countryside setting, barnyard animals, and welcoming atmosphere make it a destination families can enjoy together.

Bring your Thanksgiving list, but leave room for a few unexpected discoveries. Those are often the treats everyone remembers.

Homemade Goodies Make Holiday Preparations A Little Sweeter

Homemade Goodies Make Holiday Preparations A Little Sweeter
© Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, LLC

Thanksgiving is supposed to bring people together, but preparing the meal can feel like a full-time job. That’s where a well-stocked farm store comes in handy.

Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm offers homemade baked goods that can help take a few tasks off your holiday checklist.

Pies are especially appealing when the oven is already working overtime. Picking one up means more time for family and less time worrying about dessert.

Apple cider doughnuts add another sweet option. They’re perfect for sharing during a holiday gathering or enjoying with coffee on a chilly morning.

The store also carries local New England products that can fill out a Thanksgiving spread. Cheese makes an easy appetizer, while preserves and honey add something special to the table.

And don’t overlook the homemade ice cream from the Brown Cow Café. A quart in the freezer can turn a simple dessert into something memorable.

Shopping here feels less like running errands and more like gathering the little things that make Thanksgiving special.

After all, the best holiday traditions aren’t always elaborate. Sometimes they’re as simple as bringing home something delicious and sharing it with people you love.

Meet The Holiday Dinner That Fits In A Bowl

Meet The Holiday Dinner That Fits In A Bowl
© Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, LLC

Ice cream shops don’t usually serve gravy. The Hot Gobbler Sundae breaks that rule with total confidence.

It’s a fall specialty served on weekends in September and October, from noon until sold out.

Picture all the comfort of a Thanksgiving plate stacked into one hearty bowl.

This is a great pick when you want the holiday flavor without cooking a whole bird. It works as a lunch stop on a crisp fall drive.

The sundae also offers a playful way to enjoy familiar Thanksgiving flavors without preparing a full holiday meal.

Since it’s seasonal, availability can change. Check the farm’s social media posts before you make a special trip just for it.

Is it lunch or dessert? The answer is yes, and nobody at your table needs to argue about it.

Pair it with a scoop of real ice cream afterward for a full sundae double feature. That’s the kind of menu planning everyone can respect.

Honestly, the name alone earns a spot on your fall bucket list. Saying it out loud is half the fun.

The Brown Cow Cafe Scoops Ice Cream Made Right Here

The Brown Cow Cafe Scoops Ice Cream Made Right Here
© Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, LLC

A turkey farm with its own ice cream counter sounds like a happy accident. The Brown Cow Cafe makes it feel completely normal.

The cafe serves homemade, farm-fresh ice cream in many flavors.

Scooped ice cream is available from mid-March through mid-November, while pints and quarts are sold year-round.

Ice cream cakes are on the menu too. Birthdays, graduations, and random Tuesdays all count as good reasons.

Flavors rotate, so the case can look different from visit to visit. The farm often shares what’s available on its social media pages.

Here’s a smart move for holiday hosts. Pick up a quart of homemade ice cream during your visit, and you’ll have an easy dessert ready for Thanksgiving.

Outdoor tables make a nice spot to enjoy your cone. You can eat while watching the barnyard residents go about their business.

Kids tend to treat this stop as the main event. Adults usually agree after the first spoonful.

Just remember that ice cream melts faster than you think in a warm car. Bring a cooler bag if you’re stocking up for the freezer.

Homemade Pies And Baked Goods Bring Thanksgiving Flavor To The Farm

Homemade Pies And Baked Goods Bring Thanksgiving Flavor To The Farm
© Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, LLC

Few things make Thanksgiving preparations easier than finding homemade baked goods ready to take home. At Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, the farm store offers sweet and savory favorites worth adding to your holiday shopping list.

Pies are especially useful during Thanksgiving week. Picking one up means one less dessert to prepare while the oven is busy with the main meal.

Freshly baked breads can also find a place on the holiday table. Serve them alongside dinner or save a few slices for enjoying with leftovers the next day.

Cookies offer something simple to share with family and friends. They’re also a handy treat for the ride home after a countryside shopping trip.

The farm’s selection of homemade goodies makes it easy to put together a thoughtful host gift. A pie or a box of baked treats can be just as welcome as a traditional present.

Popular baked goods may sell out during busy fall weekends, so arriving earlier can improve your chances of finding your favorites.

And don’t overlook the simple pleasure of bringing home something freshly baked. Sometimes, it’s those little treats that make Thanksgiving feel extra special.

Local Shelves Packed With New England Goodies

Local Shelves Packed With New England Goodies
© Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, LLC

Cheese, maple syrup, and hot sauce walk into a farm store. That’s not a joke, just a normal shelf here.

The store carries products from Connecticut and nearby New England states. Farmstead cheeses, yogurts, and raw cow’s milk fill the cooler.

Free-range chicken eggs are available too. Goose, duck, and turkey eggs from the farm’s own birds show up seasonally.

Thirsty? Local coffees, cider, and black currant juice give you options beyond basic grocery store choices.

Sweet tooths can grab maple syrup and honey. Specialty items like smoked fruit preserves, hot sauce, and granola add some fun extras.

This section of the store is perfect for building a holiday gift basket. Mix a jar of preserves with local honey, and you’re done.

It’s also handy for Thanksgiving preparations. Grab cider for the table, local cheese for appetizers, and a few specialty treats to share with guests.

Fresh farm eggs can also add a local touch to your holiday breakfast. Check the season and give it a try.

Get Pleasantly Lost In Eight Acres Of Corn

Get Pleasantly Lost In Eight Acres Of Corn
© Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, LLC

Eight acres is a lot of corn to wander through. The farm’s corn maze turns that space into a fall adventure.

The maze typically opens every September and October. Hayrides come along with the season, giving tired legs a break.

Families can explore the corn maze in September and October and turn an ordinary fall afternoon into an early celebration of the season.

It’s a fun way to discover the farm before the busy Thanksgiving shopping season arrives.

Fields can get muddy after rain. Boots are a smart choice, unless you enjoy sneakers with a new brown paint job.

Outside the maze, you’ll find corn hole and picnic tables. Seating areas give everyone a spot to relax between activities.

Photo fans can pose on tractors. Those shots make great holiday card material later in the year.

Pack water and a snack for little explorers. Mazes can take longer than expected when someone insists on choosing every turn.

Getting lost on purpose is oddly satisfying. Finding the exit feels like winning a small, corn-scented championship.

A Family Farm Worth Putting On Your Holiday Route

A Family Farm Worth Putting On Your Holiday Route
© Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, LLC

Some of the best Thanksgiving traditions begin with a simple trip to a local farm.

At Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm, that tradition comes with homemade treats, regional specialties, and plenty of countryside charm.

The Hermonot family started the business in 1998, and the farm has grown into a familiar destination for families looking for locally produced food and seasonal experiences.

Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm remains family-owned and operated. Co-founder Rick Hermonot is remembered as an important part of its history, and the family’s dedication continues to shape the business.

You’ll find the farm at 227 Ekonk Hill Rd, Sterling, CT 06354. The peaceful countryside of eastern Connecticut makes the drive part of the experience.

Barnyard animals add another reason to visit. Goats, ducks, lambs, chickens, and geese often greet guests near the store, giving children something to enjoy between shopping stops.

The farm store’s hours vary by season, so check its current schedule before visiting. Holiday hours may change, making it especially important to confirm opening times during Thanksgiving week.

Make an outing of it with homemade ice cream, fresh doughnuts, and a little time to explore the farm. Pick up a few treats for your holiday table before heading home.

Thanksgiving is about sharing good food and making memories together. Sometimes, a visit to a family-run farm is all it takes to make the season feel a little more special.