Pella Bakery Delights the Senses
Imagine you’re in Iowa and walk past a Pella bakery when a sweet scent stops you in your tracks. What do you do? Well, turn around and head toward the sweet scent of course!
That’s what happened when we passed by Cranberry Stone Bakery during our afternoon visit to see Pella’s tulips.
As I turned, I saw a delightful blue and white vintage-style storefront. Between the bakery name over the door, the delightful scent, and the chalked sandwich board, I knew deliciousness was inside.
We stepped through the door to a most pleasant surprise.
Chalkboard sandwich board sign lists the days regulars plus cupcake flavors of the week.
Location:
915 Franklin Street
Pella, Iowa 50219
Contact:
(641) 628-3774
Hours:
10 AM - 5;30 PM, M-F
9 AM - 4 PM, Sat
*Closed Sunday
Website:
CranberryStoneBakery.com
Looking at these cupcakes just makes my mouth water. They are as delicious as they are appealing.
Savory, Sugary Scent of Cupcakes
Inside the bakery, I stopped in my tracks once again while looking at the interiors—but I’ll get to that in a minute! My nose quickly took over and turned my attention to the bakery case toward the back of the room.
There I found a case filled with cupcakes just waiting for us to gobble up. Tom and I each made our choice—which was both easy and hard. Easy because the bakery offers 6 flavors each week (4 standard, 2 specialty flavors). Hard because they all looked yummy!
The price was awesome too—$2 per cupcake and the price included tax as well.
Tom tried the Cream-Filled Triple Chocolate. I had the Dutch Letter Cupcake. Both were totally scrumptious!
Here’s a quick list of some of Cranberry Stone Bakery’s offerings:
Standard Cupcakes
- White Wedding Cake
- Classic Chocolate
- Strawberry Cream
- Dutch Letter
Specialty Cupcakes
- Salted Caramel
- Mint Cookies ‘N Cream
- White Chocolate Raspberry
- Caramel Shortbread
- Dreamy Ganache
- Lemon Blueberry
- And 24 more…..
Cakes
- Cookie Cakes
- Round Cakes
- Sheet Cakes
Plus
- Cupcake Bouquets
- Pull Apart Cupcake Cakes
Cupcake case flanks the checkout counter left side. Refrigerated case on the right holds cakes and customer orders.
Delightful Interiors for Devouring Sweets
Next, with our purchase made, we found a seat in the dining room. But, before devouring my sweet treat, I sat a few moments looking over the charming room. I also asked my photographer to start taking photos. This was a place we had to tell others about.
The interiors were delightful. Seating was an eclectic mix of vintage wood chairs set on a blue and white multi-patterned tile floor, reminiscent of Dutch Delftware.
A mix of old brick and plaster walls helped create an “old world” ambiance in the room, even though all was light and airy.
Hanging from the ceiling were two faux window grids strung with greenery, lights, and vines. The grids, along with other small touches of decoration finished the room in a “less is more” style.
This designer fell in love with the well-done room.
I sat here, on the bench seat, so I could view the entire dining room.
Partial plaster effect over an old brick wall reminds customers the building is historic.
Add Cranberry Stone Bakery to your Pella “Must Visit” List
Everything about our visit to Cranberry Stone Bakery was a delight. From the sweet scent at the door to the deliciousness inside to the happy, friendly staff, this shop is a must stop when in Pella.
It is a totally pleasant place to hang out. Be sure to stop in.
Cookie Cakes are also one of Cranberry Stones' offerings.
Kind hearted in nature, Sheresa left the kitchen long enough to answer a few impromptu questions.
About the Owner
Meet Sharesa Van Arendonk, owner and baker with a childhood dream fulfilled. Her love of baking for others began early when at age 9 she made her 1st wedding cake.
It took a few years however to realize the dream of having her own bakey. After a separate career, the time came to go for her goal—making people smile by working in “her happy place—the kitchen.”
The business started in her home and developed from there. Locals loved her creations and business grew. When a downtown space became available, Sharesa and family took the leap to a retail location.
Taught how to bake by her mother, Sharesa uses Dutch family recipes handed down over the years plus new creations of her own.
Why" Cranberry Stone?" The name, coined by a friend, is a synonym for the nearby lake named Red Rock. Very fitting.
Looking for more yummy foods to enjoy?
Head over to our "Places to Eat" page for other Worthy Detour stops.
Those flavors sounded great!
The ones we had were yummy. I would love to try some of the other flavors!