It’s that time of year when the harvest is bearing its fruit – and veggies. And, just to be clear, calories don’t count when baked goods are seasonal, right??? Here’s a look at all the calorie-free goodies you can find in Leelanau this fall season….
Gallagher’s Farm Market, Traverse City
www.gallaghersfarmmarkettc.com
Pumpkin Donuts. That is the beginning and the ending of this story. You might grab a few other things while you’re there, but the line you see snaking through the troughs of apples every weekend in October? That’s down to the pumpkin donuts. These are only being made through Halloween – so act now! Gallagher’s closes officially on Oct. 31, but they are open a few hours on Nov. 1 for a quick sale day on any leftover produce, fyi!
Chimoski Bakery, Suttons Bay
www.chimoskibakery.com
This bakery in Suttons Bay is “tiny but mighty”! Enjoy pumpkin donuts, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, pumpkin cream cheese muffins. They also offer scrumptious down-home-cooking pumpkin pies to order through the holidays. Be sure to call ahead to order. Their pies can also be found at the V.I. Grill, as well as Hansen Foods of Suttons Bay.
They have pumpkin donuts every day until the end of October and then Fridays and Saturdays for the month of November. Pumpkin muffins will be on offer through December. (They are closed on Sundays.)
And, if they are out of seasonal goodies, you MUST try their cinnamon rolls and pecan rolls. We promise you won’t leave disappointed!
9 Bean Rows, Suttons Bay
Ok, a quick list of must-haves at 9BR this season:
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodle cupcakes (pictured)
- Apple turnovers
- Pumpkin donuts
Oh wait, we need to add crullers, croissants and chocolate chip cookies to that list, which are there year-round! The bakery and café are open daily from 7am-3pm and pizza is available from 11am on Friday-Sunday.
Inn and Trail Gourmet, Glen Arbor
Tis the season for pumpkin scones, fall cookies, fall macarons, pumpkin muffins and more at Inn and Trail! Try some of their fun, decorative sugar cookies that play up the holidays, as well as their favorite chocolate chip cookies.
Something to consider on a cool fall or winter day is to slow down and take in a cup of their hot mulled cider, a favorite with pretty much anything fresh baked!
They are open year-round and closed Monday and Tuesdays.
Grocer’s Daughter, Empire
You need to try these by Tuesday! Their limited edition fall truffles either – which remind fans to “Donut Forget to Vote!” on Tuesday. This collection is described as a cozy homage to the American dream: fried delicacies and the right to participate in democracy, made using local donuts and handcrafted by Grocer’s Daughter’s chocolatiers with ethically sourced chocolate. Truffle flavors include a fav - Cinnamon Sugar Crunch!
Also, be sure to try their hot chocolate drinking mix, which is a holiday tradition. This is made with their chocolate (instead of cocoa powder), making the drink rich and creamy. Choose between milk, dark, or the house blend (and staff favorite) 50% milk - 50% dark.
As the end of the year unfolds, be sure to keep visiting Leelanau’s local farmers and bakers, as they make the best of the harvest this season!