Every pie crust here gets rolled by hand with an actual rolling pin. That simple detail tells you a lot about this place.
The bakery turns out more than 25 kinds of pies and cobblers. The fillings use real fruit, never canned.
I appreciate a kitchen that refuses to take the easy shortcut.
Fall makes things even better at this Iowa farm market. Caramel apples, fresh cider, and more than 20 apple varieties fill the shelves before Halloween.
A pumpkin patch sits right out front, and during apple season, the orchard opens for picking.
The family behind it has been growing apples since 1939. Their first trees went into northern Iowa soil long before this market existed.
For me, that kind of patience usually shows up in the food. So how does a spot this small pack in this much autumn?
The Rolling Pin Still Does All The Heavy Lifting Here
Machines can press pie dough in seconds, but that’s not the plan at Iowa Orchard and Pie Bakery. Every crust gets rolled by hand with a real rolling pin.
That’s a lot of rolling when the bakery makes more than 25 kinds of pies and cobblers. The fillings use real fruit, and canned filling never makes the cut.
The lineup covers plenty of ground. You’ll find double-crust fruit pies like Apple, Cherry, and Tart Cherry Cream.
Dutch Crumb pies and Crisps are part of the mix too.
Not a fruit person? Pecan, Chocolate Pecan, Pumpkin, and Chocolate French Silk are waiting for you.
Fall naturally puts Pumpkin and Apple in the spotlight. A Halloween party or a Thanksgiving table can use either one with zero complaints.
Dietary needs get attention here as well. No-sugar-added, vegetarian, and vegan options are available for certain pies by request.
That vegan choice skips lard, which matters for some families. It’s smart to ask ahead so the bakery can plan your pie.
Handmade crust takes time and care. Honestly, that’s exactly what you want from a pie shop with orchard roots.
It’s a small promise that shows up in every slice you cut.
Your Freezer Is About To Become Your Favorite Bakery Shelf
Here’s a pie trick worth knowing before the holidays get busy. Many pies at this farm market come frozen and unbaked.
You take them home, slide them into your oven, and bake them fresh. Your kitchen gets that warm pie smell without any flour on your shirt.
Timing gets easier too. These frozen pies can last up to six months in the freezer.
That means you can stock up in October for a November gathering. Or you can save one for a cold Tuesday in January when you need a little comfort.
Planning a Halloween party gets simpler with this setup. Bake a pie the afternoon of the party, and it comes out hot right on schedule.
Take-and-bake pies also travel well. If you live a little farther away, a cooler bag in the car is a smart move.
Think of it as fall flavor on standby. One stop can cover several weeks of desserts.
Some people buy one pie at a time. Others treat the freezer like a pie savings account, and that sounds like a fine financial plan to me.
Your future self will be very grateful.
Caramel Apples Make The Halloween Countdown Way Sweeter
Sticky fingers are basically a fall tradition. Caramel apples show up at this Iowa market as Halloween gets closer, and they fit the season perfectly.
Crisp apple meets sweet caramel. It’s the kind of treat that feels made for October afternoons.
Fresh apples are the starting point, which makes sense at an orchard. The market sells more than 20 apple varieties during the season.
That gives you options beyond the caramel apple, too. You can grab a bag of plain apples for lunches or baking.
Kids usually see caramel apples as a reward. Adults see them as a fun excuse to act like kids for five minutes.
A caramel apple also makes a sweet little Halloween gift. Teachers, neighbors, and grandparents rarely turn one down.
Eating one takes a little strategy, though. Small bites work better than one heroic chomp, and napkins are your best friend.
Some folks cut them into slices to share. Others guard theirs like a prize, and nobody should judge them.
Either way, caramel apples bring a classic carnival feel without the crowds of a fair. That’s a nice deal for a quick fall stop on a busy weekend.
Twenty Apple Varieties Means Nobody Has To Settle
Honeycrisp fans, you’re covered. Old-fashioned Jonathan fans, you’re covered too, and that’s not something every store can say.
The market carries more than 20 apple varieties when the harvest rolls in. That’s a lot of chances to find a new favorite.
Each apple has its own job. Some are great for snacking, while others shine in pies, sauces, or crisps.
Trying a few kinds side by side is a fun family taste test. Let everyone pick a winner and argue about it at dinner.
Apples aren’t the only thing on the shelves. Fresh apple cider is part of the lineup, and it tastes like fall in a cup.
Local preserves sit nearby for toast, biscuits, and sandwiches. Raw honey is another sweet find worth adding to your basket.
These extras turn a quick apple run into a full pantry stop. You can leave with breakfast, dessert, and snacks in one trip.
The best part is the variety itself. A grocery store might offer a handful of apples, but this market lets you explore.
Your lunchbox will never feel boring again, and that’s a small fall victory.
Grab A Bag And Pick Apples Straight Off The Tree
Nothing beats an apple you picked yourself. The U-Pick season typically runs from Labor Day weekend through mid-October in Urbandale.
Picking happens Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Last admittance is at 4 PM, and the orchard is closed for picking on Mondays.
There’s a small admission fee per person. Infants get in free, and the apples you pick are priced by the bag.
The orchard area covers four acres of apples. That size feels easy to handle with little kids in tow.
Good news for dog owners, too. The farm is dog-friendly, as long as pups stay leashed and behave well.
Bring bags for clean-up, because that’s part of the deal. A tidy orchard keeps the welcome mat out for everyone’s dogs.
U-Pick availability can change with weather and the crop. Checking the farm’s Facebook page before you go saves a wasted trip.
Comfortable shoes are a smart choice for walking between trees. A jacket helps on chilly mornings in Iowa.
Afterward, the market is right there for pies and treats. Picking apples builds an appetite, and conveniently, a bakery waits nearby to help.
The Pumpkin Patch Sits Right In The Front Yard
No muddy boots required for this pumpkin hunt. The patch at Iowa Orchard and Pie Bakery offers pre-cut pumpkins arranged in the front yard.
That setup is a gift for busy families. You can find the right jack-o-lantern without hiking across a field.
The patch opens from late September through Halloween. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Entering the patch costs nothing at all. You simply pay for the pumpkins you choose, priced by the pound.
Pricing by weight helps you plan. A tiny pumpkin for a desk is cheap, while a giant porch pumpkin costs more.
Kids love picking the one with the perfect stem. Parents love that the car is only a few steps away.
Take a few photos while you’re there. Rows of orange pumpkins make an easy fall backdrop without much effort.
Carving night works best with a plan. Pick a sturdy pumpkin with a flat bottom, so your masterpiece doesn’t roll off the porch.
Then head inside for a pie. Carving a face is hard work, and dessert is a fair reward.
That’s just good Halloween math for the whole household.
Little Ones Get Their Own Weekend Play Space
Kids have energy to burn, and parents know it. The Family Fun Zone gives them a place to burn it during fall weekends.
This play area runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 5 PM. It opens from late September through October.
Admission costs a small fee per person. Infants get in free, which is nice for families with babies.
Specific activities can change from year to year. Slides are part of the fun, and the space is built for younger visitors.
A hay rack ride is another classic fall option here. It takes riders through the apple orchard for a slow, scenic loop.
Tractor rides feel like a big adventure to small kids. Adults get a relaxing view of the trees, so everybody wins.
Plan your visit around the weekend schedule if play time matters most. Weekdays still offer pies, apples, and pumpkins, just without the play zone.
Pack snacks and layers for little ones. Iowa fall weather can swing from sunny to brisk quickly.
Tired kids usually ride home quietly. That might be the best bonus of the whole day, right after the pie, of course.
Fifty Apple Trees In 1939 Started This Whole Sweet Story
Back in 1939, Winton Etchen planted his first 50 apple trees in northern Iowa. He probably didn’t picture caramel apples and pie crowds decades later.
Fast forward to 1975. Winton and his wife Dorothy moved to Des Moines and officially started Iowa Orchard.
The next generation stepped up in 1991. Their younger son, Bryan, became manager and part-owner.
By 2000, Bryan held sole ownership. He kept the family tradition growing, one tree at a time.
The bakery idea came from teamwork. Bryan, his mother Dorothy, and his sister Denise brought the orchard bakery to life together.
That family effort explains a lot about the pies. Recipes with roots tend to carry real care.
The orchard has also been a vendor at the Iowa State Fair since 2012. That’s a big stage for a family operation.
Growing practices matter here too. The family farms as IPM growers, using a minimum amount of pesticides while raising quality fruit.
Each year, they also host four or five international interns. Students from places like Brazil, Peru, Poland, and South Korea spend a growing season learning modern farming.
That’s a lot of good work packed into four acres.
A Few Smart Moves Before You Hit The Road
Good news for pie lovers who hate seasonal limits. The farm market and pie bakery stay open year-round.
You’ll find Iowa Orchard and Pie Bakery at 9875 Meredith Dr, Urbandale, IA 50322. It’s an easy trip from the Des Moines area.
Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Mondays are closed, so don’t plan a Monday pie emergency.
Fall activities have their own schedules. U-Pick, the pumpkin patch, the Family Fun Zone, and hay rides are seasonal.
Most of that fun lands between mid-September and Halloween. Weekends bring the most options, thanks to the play area hours.
Weather can shake up plans on a farm. The orchard’s Facebook page shares updates about U-Pick and any surprise closings.
Planning a holiday order? Ask ahead about special pies, especially vegan or no-sugar-added options.
A cooler is handy for frozen pies on longer drives. It keeps your take-and-bake treasure in good shape.
This is a compact stop rather than an all-day theme park. Honestly, that’s part of the charm.
You can grab pumpkins, apples, and a pie, then still make it home before dinner.