Knaus Berry Farm, the Homestead farmstand that is well-known for its freshly baked cinnamon rolls, is now open for the season.
Knaus has a passionate following, with individuals prepared to attend in line for hours to get their palms on a dozen cinnamon rolls. Lines generally type nicely earlier than the bakery opens at 8 a.m., stuffed with individuals who’ve traveled for miles for an opportunity to be the primary on their block to snag these contemporary, candy rolls.
Thomas Blocher, head of operations at Knaus, says that this 12 months Knaus is staying with its tried and true array of rolls, pies, and bread. “There’s nothing even barely new this 12 months. We’re sticking with the menu we have had these previous couple of years.”
Blocher says prices have risen — particularly for eggs — however his staff is attempting to maintain the costs affordable. “I hope that this can be a luxurious that folks can nonetheless afford,” he says. This season, a dozen cinnamon rolls price $15.25 (up 75 cents from final season) and there is a 12-dozen-per-person cap on purchases.
While you are on the bakery, Blocher suggests attempting another of the rolls and bread, baked contemporary every day. “The egg rolls are fashionable and the cheese rolls have been rising in reputation,” he notes, including that there was a time when the breads outsold the cinnamon rolls. “That was about 30 years in the past,” he admits.
As all the time, Knaus accepts money solely and is closed on Sundays in addition to on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
When requested about any suggestions and methods for avoiding the lengthy strains, Blocher says there actually are no. “Not this time of 12 months. It’s all just about the identical,” he says including that strains are all the time longer on Friday and Saturday (so test in case you have any PTO and make a day of it). “It’s all the time loopy after we open up, and it stays that approach till after Thanksgiving. Once you get previous the primary of the brand new 12 months, it is manageable.”
That mentioned, he studies that the bakery just about sells all the pieces it makes, every day. How many cinnamon rolls does that embrace? “Rather a lot,” he says.
Blocher says he is nonetheless shocked every year on the strains that type for the cinnamon rolls. Maybe as a result of the rolls have grow to be a convention that will get handed down? “We hear tales about generations of individuals coming to Knaus,” he agrees. “It’s good to listen to that we have left a optimistic reminiscence of their lives.”
Knaus Berry Farm was based in 1956 as a roadside stand the place Ray and Russell Knaus bought berries. The brothers expanded their stock to incorporate pies, breads, and different baked items after a fruit dealer instructed Ray’s spouse, Barbara, that her cookies have been adequate to promote. The farm is now run by Ray and Barbara’s kids and their households.
If you intend to go to Knaus, be ready to attend in line. Bring water and an umbrella to defend you from the solar. And do not forget to convey money.
Knaus Berry Farm. 15980 SW 248th St., Homestead; 305-247-0668; knausberryfarm.com. Monday via Saturday 8 a.m. to five:30 p.m. Closed Sunday. Shake stand closes quarter-hour sooner than the farm. Cash solely.