The baking crew at this shop starts work as early as 1 a.m. That’s the kind of dedication that makes a pastry worth a drive.
The star of the show is an S-shaped puff pastry filled with sweet almond paste. It used to be a special treat saved for Sinterklaas Day on December 6.
Now you can grab one any day the doors are open.
This Iowa bakery has been run by the same family for five generations. The founder brought his recipes straight from Holland.
Everything is still made from scratch, with no preservatives.
For me, that sounds like a solid reason to plan a November road trip. The holiday that inspired those pastries is just weeks away.
Why not taste the tradition right before its big day?
An Almond-Filled Letter That Became A Legend
Flaky, golden, and shaped like the letter S, the Dutch Letter is the pastry that put Jaarsma Bakery on the map. It’s a puff pastry wrapped around sweet almond paste.
Then it gets a generous sprinkle of sugar on top.
Historically, these letters were a special treat for Sinterklaas Day on December 6. Dutch families saved them for that celebration.
Today, you don’t have to wait for a holiday to enjoy one.
Jaarsma bakes them year-round now. That’s great news for anyone who can’t plan a trip around a single December date.
Still, there’s something fun about eating one in late fall.
November puts you right on the edge of the season that made them famous. You get the tradition without the calendar pressure.
It feels a little like arriving early to a party.
The almond paste is the real secret here. It gives each bite a rich, nutty sweetness that sets it apart from ordinary pastries.
If you love marzipan, this one’s calling your name.
Plan to buy more than one. These letters have a habit of disappearing from the car before you get home.
Consider yourself warned, and maybe grab a backup box.
Four Generations Have Kept The Ovens Going Since 1898
Harmon Jaarsma arrived from Holland with family recipes in his head. In 1898, he opened Jaarsma Bakery in Pella, Iowa.
He started out baking in two wood-fired brick ovens.
That’s a long time to keep a family business running. The bakery has passed through four generations since then.
Each one kept the original Dutch recipes alive.
Today, Harmon’s great-great-granddaughter, Lisa Larson, runs the shop. She owns and operates it with her husband, Carl Larson.
That’s a pretty impressive family handoff.
I appreciate places that protect their roots like this. Plenty of businesses change hands and lose their character.
This one stayed in the family and kept its identity.
The recipes that crossed the ocean more than a century ago still shape the menu. When you bite into a pastry here, you’re tasting real family history.
Not many treats come with that kind of backstory.
Think of it as edible heritage. The ovens have changed over the decades, but the commitment hasn’t.
That steady connection to the past is a big part of the bakery’s charm.
It also makes a great story to share on the drive home. Snacks taste better with a good history lesson attached.
The Crew Clocks In While Everyone Else Is Asleep
One a.m. is when most folks are deep in dreamland. At Jaarsma Bakery, it’s when the baking crew gets to work.
Every day starts in the middle of the night.
That early start isn’t just for show. Everything here is made from scratch.
There are no preservatives in the mix, either.
Scratch baking takes time and patience. Doughs need mixing, rolling, and shaping before the doors open.
Hundreds of choices hit the shelves daily, so the hours add up fast.
The shop opens at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
It closes at 6 p.m., which gives you a wide window to stop by. Sundays are closed, so plan your trip around that.
Early birds have a nice advantage here. Arriving near opening means you’ll see the cases freshly stocked.
It’s also a cozy way to start a chilly November morning.
Honestly, the schedule deserves a round of applause. Somebody gave up sleep so you could have a fresh pastry with your coffee.
The least you can do is show up and enjoy it.
Just don’t show up on a Sunday expecting a treat. You’ll only get a locked door and a little heartbreak.
Goat’s Legs, Puff Pillows, And Other Delightfully Odd Names
Goat’s Legs might be the funniest name you’ll see in a bakery case. Don’t worry, there’s no actual goat involved.
They’re puff pastry sticks topped with sliced almonds and sugar, with each end dipped in chocolate.
Jaarsma Bakery has plenty of Dutch specialties beyond its famous letters. Puff Pillows are another favorite on the menu.
The name alone makes them hard to skip.
Almond lovers have lots to explore here. There’s Almond Banket, a traditional Dutch pastry with almond filling.
Boter Koek, an almond butter cake, is also on the list.
Krackelings bring a different kind of charm. These are classic Dutch cookies with a long tradition behind them.
They’re a great pick if you want something a little less familiar.
Speculaas cookies round things out nicely. These spiced cookies feel right at home in November.
Their warm flavor fits cool weather perfectly.
My advice is simple. Pick one item you know and one you’ve never heard of.
That’s the best way to explore a bakery with this much variety.
You might find a new favorite with a strange name. Then you get to tell your friends you fell for a Goat’s Leg.
That’s a conversation starter for sure.
Bread Lovers Get Their Own Reason To Stop
Sweet pastries grab the spotlight, but the bread deserves attention too. Jaarsma Bakery bakes several kinds daily.
Apple Bread and Cinnamon Bread are two standouts.
Both sound tailor-made for fall. Apple and cinnamon are basically the official flavors of November.
A loaf on the counter can make a whole kitchen feel cozier.
Bread is also a smart road-trip purchase. It travels well and stretches your treats over several days.
A slice with breakfast keeps the trip going after you get home.
The bakery offers hundreds of choices in cookies, cakes, and pastries every day. That’s a lot to take in.
Bread gives you a practical option among all the sugar.
Of course, practical doesn’t mean boring. Cinnamon Bread can turn into amazing French toast.
Apple Bread pairs nicely with an afternoon cup of coffee or tea.
Here’s a helpful tip. Buy your bread first, then decide on pastries.
That way, the loaf won’t get forgotten in the excitement over letters and cookies.
Nobody wants to realize they skipped the bread while driving away. Grab a loaf and let your future breakfast thank you.
It’s an easy win.
A Shop Full Of Delft And Dutch Treasures
Blue-and-white Delft pottery isn’t something you expect next to cinnamon bread. Yet Jaarsma Bakery sells far more than baked goods.
It also offers Dutch imported foods, gifts, Delft, and antiques.
That mix makes the stop feel like a small trip to Holland. You can shop for souvenirs and snacks in one place.
It’s a handy setup for holiday gift hunting.
November is prime time for early shopping. A piece of Delft makes a thoughtful present for someone who loves Dutch culture.
Imported treats are great for stocking stuffers too.
Antiques add a fun twist. You never know what you might find on a given day.
It rewards curious shoppers who like to browse slowly.
Pella is known for its proud Dutch heritage. This shop fits right into that spirit.
It connects the bakery’s recipes to the wider traditions they came from.
Give yourself a few extra minutes for this part of the visit. Rushing past the shelves would be a missed opportunity.
Some of the best gifts are found by wandering.
Just remember to save room in the trunk. Pastry boxes and pottery both need careful packing for the ride home.
Downtown Pella Makes The Drive Even Sweeter
Finding the bakery is easy once you reach Pella. Jaarsma Bakery sits at 727 Franklin St, Pella, IA 50219.
It’s right in the heart of this Dutch-rooted Iowa town.
That central spot makes it simple to build a day around your pastry run. Pella has a strong Dutch heritage that shows up all over town.
The bakery is a natural anchor for exploring.
Parking is available, which helps on a busy day. The bakery is also accessible.
Those details make the visit easier for families and groups.
November is a quieter, cozier time to wander a small town. You can enjoy the streets at a relaxed pace.
Crisp fall air also pairs perfectly with a warm pastry.
Consider making the bakery your first stop. Grab a treat, then stroll around and enjoy the scenery.
Snacks always make sightseeing more fun.
Or save it for the end of your visit. That way, your pastries stay fresh for the trip home.
Either plan works, as long as you don’t skip it.
The best road trips mix food with a sense of place. Pella and this bakery deliver both in one tidy package.
Can’t Make The Drive? Your Mailbox Can Help
Road trips don’t always fit everyone’s schedule. Luckily, Jaarsma Bakery ships select items nationwide.
That means your favorite Dutch treats can come to you.
This is a great option for holiday gifts. Think of the friend who moved away from Iowa and misses home.
A box of Dutch pastries could make their whole week.
The bakery also offers takeout and food delivery. Those choices add flexibility for local visitors.
You can shape the experience around your plans.
Shipping is also smart for the folks who already visited. Once you’ve tasted these treats, you’ll probably want more later.
Ordering from home keeps the tradition going.
Timing matters if you’re sending gifts. November is a smart month to plan ahead for December celebrations.
Sinterklaas Day lands on December 6, so early orders make sense.
Of course, not every item ships. Only select products are available that way.
Some treats are best enjoyed fresh at the bakery itself.
So use shipping as a bonus, not a replacement. The in-person visit still offers the full selection and atmosphere.
But it’s nice to know the letters can find you anywhere.
November Might Be The Smartest Time To Go
Timing a bakery trip sounds silly until you think about Sinterklaas. The Dutch celebrate the holiday on December 6.
That’s when Dutch Letters were traditionally enjoyed.
A November visit puts you right in that festive buildup. You get to taste the tradition just before its big day.
It’s a fun way to kick off the holiday season.
Fall also suits the menu at Jaarsma Bakery. Spiced Speculaas cookies and almond-filled pastries feel extra cozy in cool weather.
Cinnamon Bread fits right in too.
Remember the hours before you go. The bakery opens Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays are closed, so a Saturday trip needs some planning.
Bring a cooler bag or sturdy box for the ride. Pastries travel better when they aren’t sliding around the back seat.
Your future self will appreciate the effort.
Iowa backroads in late fall make a pleasant drive. Pair that scenery with a century-old family bakery, and you’ve got a solid weekend plan.
It’s simple, sweet, and full of history.
Honestly, any month works for a Dutch Letter. November just makes the story taste a little better.