Raspberry cream cheese rolls, Amish donuts, and a loaf of bread with bacon, egg, and cheese baked right inside. That lineup alone deserves a spot on your weekend plans.
The bakery shares space with a full Amish bulk food and general store. Spices, flours, jams, homemade candies, toys, and fabric all fill the same small shop.
Fresh-baked goods get special attention on Fridays and Saturdays. I appreciate a place that gives you a clear reason to set an early alarm in Iowa this fall.
The pumpkin season brings its own seasonal treats to the shelves. For me, that sounds like a good excuse for a country drive.
So what happens when one tiny rural store tries to cover breakfast, baking day, and dessert all at once?
Friday And Saturday Mornings Are When This Bakery Really Shows Off
Timing matters at Country Variety, the Amish-owned bulk food and general store in rural Iowa. Fresh baked goods take center stage on Fridays and Saturdays, so those are the days to circle.
The store opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
Saturday hours run until 4 p.m., while weekdays typically wrap up around 5 p.m.
That early start is the whole point of the trip. Bakeries tend to reward the folks who show up first, and an Amish bakery is no exception.
Sundays are closed, which is worth knowing before you plan a lazy weekend drive. Nobody wants to pull into an empty lot with a donut craving and a full tank of disappointment.
Hours can shift around holidays or during busy seasons. A quick call before you leave home is a smart move, especially if you are driving from another town.
Fall makes the early drive even easier to justify. Cool mornings, a warm coffee in the cup holder, and a bakery opening its doors at eight is a pretty solid start to any Saturday.
Think of it as a sunrise mission with a sweet payoff. The only real challenge is deciding how many boxes your car can handle.
Amish Donuts Are The Reason To Beat Your Own Alarm
Few foods make a road trip feel more justified than a fresh donut. At Country Variety, the Amish donuts are a weekend highlight, with the freshest batches tied to Fridays and Saturdays.
Amish donuts are known for their homemade style. They come from small-batch kitchens rather than giant factory lines, and that difference matters to plenty of donut fans.
So how many should you buy? The honest answer is more than you planned, because one always disappears before you leave the parking lot.
Donuts are best eaten soon after purchase. They do not carry the same magic on day three, so share them with family or coworkers while they still shine.
A small cooler or sturdy box helps if you have a long drive home. Squished donuts still taste good, but they lose a little dignity.
Pair a donut run with a loaf of bread or some jam, and the trip covers both treat and practical shopping. That is the beauty of a bakery inside a general store.
Fall mornings and warm donuts were basically made for each other. Add a thermos of coffee, and your Saturday plan is officially complete.
Breakfast Baked Into A Loaf Sounds Wild, And It Works
Bacon, egg, and cheese inside a loaf of bread is the kind of idea that makes you wonder why every bakery is not doing it. Country Variety bakes exactly that, and it is one of the most recommended items on the shelves.
Slice it, warm it, and breakfast is handled. No skillet required, which feels like a small miracle on a busy school morning.
One important note comes with this loaf. The bakery does not use preservatives, so refrigerate it once you get home.
Jalapeño cheese bread is another savory pick worth grabbing. It brings a little kick that works well with soup, chili, or a simple grilled sandwich.
The regular homemade breads have a firm crust and a soft middle. Sourdough also makes appearances, giving sandwich lovers another option.
Buying two loaves is a reasonable strategy. Keep one in the fridge for this week and freeze the other for a later morning when you need a win.
Bread like this turns ordinary meals into something homemade without extra work. That is a pretty great deal for anyone who loves good food but not a long cleanup.
Pie Lovers Have Some Serious Decisions To Make
Pecan pie, strawberry rhubarb, fried pies, and angel food cake all show up on the bakery roster. That is a dessert table waiting to happen.
Fried pies deserve a special shout-out. These hand-sized pastries are easy to eat, easy to share, and very easy to finish before you meant to.
Pecan pie fits right into fall gatherings. Bringing one to a potluck is a quick way to look like you planned ahead, even if you did not.
Strawberry rhubarb offers a sweet-tart balance that pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Angel food cake brings a lighter option for folks who want something airy.
Cakes, cookies, and coffee cakes also fill out the selection. Pumpkin flavors rotate in during the fall, giving the season its proper due.
Since items change from week to week, availability is never guaranteed. Calling ahead for a specific pie is a wise move before a holiday or big family dinner.
Cookies make an easy add-on for kids in the back seat. Everyone gets a treat, and the drive home stays peaceful, which might be the sweetest bonus of all.
Bulk Spices And Flours Turn A Snack Stop Into A Pantry Run
Behind all that bakery temptation sits a real working bulk food store. Spices, seasonings, flours, and baking needs line the shelves at Country Variety, and they get plenty of attention on their own.
Bulk shopping makes sense for home bakers heading into fall. Pie season and cookie season arrive fast, and a stocked pantry saves last-minute grocery runs.
Spices are one of the most mentioned features of this store. They are also known for being budget-friendly, which helps when your recipe calls for something you rarely use.
Different types of flour sit alongside other baking basics. That variety is handy for anyone experimenting with breads, pie crusts, or holiday cookies.
Pickled foods also show up, including pickled eggs. Chips, snack mixes, and some meats and cheeses add more grocery options to the mix.
A simple tip can help here. Bring a short list of pantry needs so the bakery case does not completely take over your memory.
Checking dates on packaged goods is always a good habit at any store. With that small step, you can leave stocked up and ready for a full season of baking.
Homemade Candy Lives Right At The Same Address
Sweet tooth alert. Countryside Candies operates from the same address as Country Variety, and that means hand-dipped chocolates are part of the deal.
The candy lineup reads like a holiday wish list. Toffee, peanut brittle, peanut butter balls, turtles, and chocolate-covered cherries all appear on the menu.
Fudge is one of the most talked-about treats here. Butter rum candy also sits among the homemade options for anyone who likes something a little different.
Candy makes a great small gift. A box of turtles or a bag of brittle works for teachers, neighbors, or that relative who claims to want nothing.
Chocolate travels best in cool weather, which gives fall another point in its favor. Summer road trips can turn chocolates into puddles, but autumn usually plays nice.
Jams and jellies sit nearby as another tasty souvenir. A jar of homemade jam pairs perfectly with one of those fresh loaves of bread.
Plan on leaving a little room in your budget for candy. Even shoppers who come strictly for flour tend to discover their willpower has limits once the chocolate case comes into view.
Toys, Fabric, And Wind Chimes Keep The Shopping Interesting
A general store earns its name by carrying a little bit of everything. Country Variety lives up to that idea with toys, fabric, gifts, cookbooks, and wind chimes.
Kids usually find the toy section quickly. It gives younger shoppers something to explore while grown-ups compare spice jars.
Fabric is a nice surprise for sewers and quilters. It fits right into the homemade spirit that runs through the whole shop.
Cookbooks make a smart pick for anyone inspired by the bakery case. You might not recreate that bacon, egg, and cheese loaf, but trying is half the fun.
Handmade crafts and rugs have also appeared among the goods. Plants and cleaning supplies sometimes show up too, which proves how wide this little store reaches.
Wind chimes make a pleasant porch gift. Fall breezes are perfect for testing them out once you get home.
Holiday shopping can start here earlier than you expected. Tucking away a few small gifts in October feels pretty great when December arrives and the stores get chaotic.
Finding This Country Store Is Half The Fall Fun
Country roads, harvest fields, and a bakery at the end of the drive sound like a fine fall morning.
Country Variety sits at 3230 Hwy T47, Montour, IA 50173, out in the farm country of central Iowa.
Montour is a small community in Tama County. It sits a short drive from Marshalltown, which makes it an easy add-on to other plans in the area.
Shoppers have driven in from as far away as Des Moines. That tells you how far a good bakery can pull people.
The store has served as a bakery in Montour since 2020. It is Amish-owned and run, with friendly and helpful service as part of its reputation.
Wheelchair accessibility makes the visit easier for more families. That small detail matters when planning a trip with grandparents or anyone using mobility aids.
The store accepts major credit and debit cards, along with checks. Bringing cash is also a handy option if you prefer to keep checkout simple and quick.
Watch for farm equipment on rural roads during harvest season. Slow down, enjoy the scenery, and save your appetite for the treats waiting at the end of the road.