About 1,400 kolaches can come out of this bakery’s ovens in a single night. Many of them still sell out before 8 a.m.
The doors open only on Friday and Saturday mornings. That tiny window makes every visit feel like catching a train you really don’t want to miss.
The kolache recipe has deep roots in the same small Iowa town. An elderly woman handed it to the owner’s mother back in 1972.
I appreciate a recipe that has quietly stayed put for over fifty years.
There are cherry, apricot, poppy seed, prune, and strawberry rhubarb fillings, plus more than a dozen varieties in all.
Cinnamon rolls and caramel pecan rolls wait nearby for anyone who shows up late.
So the real question is simple. How early are you willing to set that alarm?
A Bakery Born From A Mother’s Dream Still Feels Like Family
Grace Bahr always wanted to open a bakery. Her son Kevin and his partner, Sherri Gillick, made that dream real.
My Moms Bakery Llc launched on June 11, 2018, in the small town of Ely. The name says it plainly, and honestly, it’s the sweetest kind of truth in advertising.
Kevin and Sherri bake from Grace’s time-tested recipes. Some of those recipes were collected by her over many years.
Grace hasn’t exactly stayed away from the kitchen either. She has even pitched in during busy stretches like holidays and pie-order season.
That detail matters more than it might seem. A family recipe tastes different when the family is still standing behind it.
Everything here is made from scratch. That means no shortcuts, no mystery mixes, and plenty of late-night work before sunrise.
The owners have described their mission as carrying on their mom’s legacy. They want each treat to bring back a fond memory of someone’s own family baker.
For me, that’s a pretty good reason to drive a few extra miles. A bakery built on love for one mother might remind you of yours.
Bring an empty box and a full heart. Both will likely leave happier.
Set Two Alarms, Because Friday And Saturday Are The Only Shots
Six to eleven. That’s the whole schedule, and it only happens on Fridays and Saturdays.
Five days a week, the doors stay closed. Those days are far from lazy, though.
The owners have explained that they prep for two days ahead of opening. Another day goes to shopping for supplies.
Then come the long baking shifts themselves. The bakers work through the night so everything is fresh when the doors open.
So the short hours aren’t a sign of slacking. They’re a sign of a small family team putting everything into two big mornings.
Here’s my practical advice. Plan your weekend around the bakery, not the other way around.
Arriving right at six gives you the best selection. Showing up at ten might still work, but your kolache dreams could be in trouble.
Kolaches often disappear before 8 a.m. That’s not a typo, and it’s not a drill.
Got a Saturday road trip planned through eastern Iowa? Build in a breakfast stop and leave early.
Your sleepy self might grumble at first. Your happy self, holding a warm pastry, will forgive everything.
More Than A Dozen Kolache Flavors Make Choosing Hard
Cherry or apricot? Poppy seed or prune?
Good luck picking just one.
Kolaches are the star at My Moms Bakery Llc. These soft Czech pastries come with a sweet filling nestled in the center.
The lineup runs past a dozen varieties. You’ll find cherry, apricot, blueberry, strawberry, and strawberry rhubarb.
Fruit fans can also go for peach, lemon, pineapple, or apple. Traditionalists will spot poppy seed and prune, two classic Czech fillings.
That variety makes a mixed box the smartest move. Grab a few favorites and add one flavor you’ve never tried.
The bakery has also been experimenting with savory kolaches. Pizza kolaches have even been floated as a possible future idea.
That might sound bold for an old-school pastry. Still, it shows a kitchen that respects tradition without being stuck in it.
Fillings like these make kolaches great for sharing. Bring a dozen to work, and you’ll probably become everyone’s favorite coworker by 9 a.m.
Just don’t promise anyone a specific flavor. When the cherry ones are gone, they’re gone.
Be flexible, and you’ll never leave disappointed. Every flavor on that tray carries the same family recipe behind it.
Fourteen Hundred Kolaches Vanish Faster Than You’d Think
Roughly 1,400 kolaches can get baked in one night here. That’s a mountain of dough for a small-town bakery.
Somehow, it still isn’t always enough. Kolaches often sell out before 8 a.m.
Math lovers, take note. Two hours of open doors can wipe out an entire night of baking.
Demand climbs even higher during certain seasons. Graduations, weddings, and family gatherings all bring big kolache orders.
So what’s a hungry person supposed to do? Simple, really.
Get there early or order ahead.
The owners openly encourage preorders. They’ve even joked that calling ahead lets you sleep in.
Out-of-town visitors have used Facebook messages to set up orders, too. That’s handy if you’re passing through Iowa on a tight schedule.
People drive in from far beyond Ely for these pastries. Some come from nearby Cedar Rapids, while others visit from other states entirely.
That kind of pull is impressive for a bakery open two mornings a week. Word clearly travels fast when the filling is good.
Treat that early sellout as a friendly warning, not a reason to skip it. A little planning goes a long way here.
A Recipe From 1972 Never Left Its Hometown
Back in 1972, an elderly woman in Ely shared her kolache recipe with Kevin’s mother. That gift turned into the heart of a business decades later.
Small towns keep their best secrets close. This one simply waited for the right moment.
The recipe originated in Ely years ago. Now it’s baked again in the same community, which feels wonderfully fitting.
Kolaches have deep Czech roots. Eastern Iowa has long celebrated that heritage, especially around the Cedar Rapids area.
So these pastries aren’t a trendy import. They’re part of a local food story that stretches back generations.
I love the idea of a recipe passed hand to hand like this. Nobody planned a bakery in 1972, yet here we are.
The family takes that history seriously. They talk about carrying on their mom’s legacy with love in every batch.
Next time you bite into a poppy seed or apricot kolache, think about that handoff. One kind neighbor made thousands of future breakfasts possible.
It’s a nice reminder that sharing matters. A recipe card can outlast almost anything.
And in Ely, it clearly did.
Missed The Kolaches? Cinnamon Rolls Have Your Back
Late arrivals, take heart. The bakery case holds plenty beyond kolaches.
Cinnamon rolls rank among the most-loved treats here. Caramel pecan rolls bring a sticky, nutty twist for anyone craving something richer.
Sticky buns also make the menu. That’s a lot of swirled goodness for one small shop.
Pumpkin bars have become especially popular lately. Lemon bars offer a brighter, tangier choice.
You’ll also find cookies, rolls, biscuits, pies, and cakes. Specialty cakes can be ordered for birthdays and other celebrations.
Pies get extra attention during holiday seasons. That’s when Grace often lends a hand in the kitchen.
Here’s a smart strategy for first-timers. Grab a kolache or two, then add one cinnamon roll as backup.
Why choose between treats when you can test them all? Your car ride home will smell incredible.
Cinnamon rolls do sell out too, so early birds still win. Even so, a later visit rarely means an empty case.
Everything is made from scratch, from bars to biscuits. That consistency makes every item worth a look, not just the famous ones.
Consider it a delicious consolation prize system.
Savory Quiche And Real Coffee Round Out The Morning
Not everyone wants sugar at 6 a.m. Quiche steps in nicely for those moments.
The quiche at My Moms Bakery Llc gives savory fans a solid breakfast option. It’s also a great comfort pick if the kolaches have already disappeared.
Then there’s the coffee menu, which goes well beyond a basic pot. Choices include espresso drinks such as lattes and americanos.
Warm mornings call for iced coffee or cold brew. Those are easy to carry along with a pastry box.
Fruit smoothies are available too. They’re a smart choice for kids or anyone skipping caffeine.
Pairing matters here more than you might expect. A tart lemon kolache next to a creamy latte just makes sense.
Try a caramel pecan roll with a plain americano. The bold coffee balances all that sweetness.
Having full coffee drinks means this isn’t only a grab-and-go pastry stop. It can be your complete breakfast plan.
Ordering usually moves quickly. Reliable internet keeps the register running smoothly during busy rushes.
That’s a small thing, but small things count at six in the morning. Nobody wants a slow line between them and caffeine.
Seats Are Few, So Plan For A Takeaway Feast
Cozy is the right word for the space. Seating is limited, so many folks happily take their treats to go.
The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming. The staff has a strong reputation for friendliness, too.
The owners clearly treat customers like part of the family. They often reply to feedback personally and with plenty of good humor.
You’ll find the shop at 1665 Dows St, Ely, IA 52227. It sits right in downtown Ely, an easy stop for anyone in eastern Iowa.
Since tables are scarce, bring a game plan. A sturdy bag or flat car seat spot helps protect those pastry boxes.
Picnic-style eating works well, especially on nice days. A coffee and kolache taste just as good on a park bench.
Got a big group? Preordering makes more sense than hoping for a free table.
The quick checkout keeps things moving even when it’s busy. You’ll be on your way before your coffee cools.
Honestly, a takeaway box has its perks. You get to share the haul with people back home.
Just try not to eat half of it before you leave the parking spot.
Stick Around Ely For Ice Cream, Festivals, And Cookies With Santa
Ely is small, but the bakery stays busy in the community. My Moms Bakery Llc shows up at local events throughout the year.
Ely Fall Fest is one of them. It’s a fun reason to plan an autumn trip to this corner of Iowa.
The bakery has also taken part in Cookies With Santa at the Ely Fire Station.
Kids meeting Santa while holding fresh cookies? That’s about as wholesome as small-town life gets.
Downtown Ely has other spots worth knowing. Dan and Debbie’s Creamery is close by for anyone who wants ice cream later.
Odie’s Bar and Grill sits nearby as well. Casey’s is also in the area for a quick fuel stop.
Cedar Rapids and its Czech Village are only a short country drive away. Pair the two for a full day of Czech heritage and treats.
That makes Ely a great morning anchor for a weekend outing. Start with kolaches, then explore from there.
Just remember the golden rule of this trip. The bakery closes at 11 a.m., so pastries come first and everything else waits.