The Amana Colonies: Hahn's Bakery

The Amana Colonies is one of the top tourist attractions in Eastern Iowa. Among several attractions in the Colonies is the Hahn Hearth Bakery.

This hidden treasure located in Middle Amana in Eastern Iowa, the Hahn's Hearth Bakery tempts visitors with tasty baked goods. The Hahn Hearth Bakery utilizes the only original hearth oven still in operation in the Amana Colonies.

Baked Goods Prepared Fresh Daily a Hearth Oven

The century old hearth oven is prepared early each morning by placing wood in the oven. The wood is then allowed to thoroughly burn. After the wood burns down to ashes, the ashes are removed and the oven is ready for baking.

Hahn Hearth Bakery bakes hundreds of loaves of white and rye breads each day. The Hahn Hearth Bakery also bakes butter streusel, apricot, cherry and cinnamon coffee cakes. The breads and coffee cakes are made from scratch each day utilizing a recipe passed down for generations.

If You Go

Plan to arrive early. The Hahn Hearth Bakery opens at 7:30 am and remains open until the day's baked goods are sold - which can be as early as 10:00 am. The bakery is open Tuesday through Saturday during the busy tourist season of April through September. At other times of year, the bakery is open on Saturday and an occasional weekday.

If you visit Hahn Hearth Bakery, consider stopping at the Communal Kitchen and Cooper Shop located just down the street from the Hahn Hearth Bakery.

This historic museum gives visitors a preview of what life was like in the late 1800s and early 1900's. The Amana homes did not feature their own kitchen, residents instead ate together at communal kitchens like the one preserved at this museum. On display are several old kitchen items used to prepare meals, table settings and a sample of menus prepared at the communal kitchen.

The Hahn Hearth Bakery is located in Middle Amana off of 220^th Trail and minutes away from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Main Amana features a Woolen Mill, Amana Furniture Shop, Millstream Brewery and several other shops and restaurants.

History of the Area

The Amana Colonies is a national historic landmark that is made up of seven villages, including Middle Amana. The colonies were created in the 1800s by colonists who fled Germany to seek religious freedom in America. The colonists lived in this communal village where residents enjoyed medical care, schooling and meals. All of the colony resources were shared and no wages were earned by community members.

Sources:
www.amanacolonies.com