The Best Small-Town Bakery In The Midwest Is Right On Lake Superior

Big bakery chains can be extremely convenient, and many famous spots end up franchising in different cities all around the country. But the best desserts and treats are often found in small-towns where bakers have the time to experiment, foster relationships, and, to put it frankly, care. One of the best examples of this is Jampot, a cozy Lake Superior eatery run entirely by monks.

Nestled in the woods on the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula of northern Michigan, which is surrounded by the dazzling fresh waters of Lake Superior, Jampot looks like it's right from a storybook. There's one road in and out, a bubbling waterfall sits steps away, and the nearby monastery provides a home for the monks who run the operation. The small storefront got its start in 1986, a few years after the Order of St. John opened the remote Holy Protection Monastery, and its monks discovered the amazing jams that could be produced using the location's bounty. As more Lake Superior visitors stopped by, they added flavorful fruit cakes, handmade chocolates, and more to the menu.

Despite its humble origins, the bakery has made a name for itself over the years by serving warm muffins, freshly roasted coffee, and homemade preserves to the many hikers and visitors who line up outside in the summer months. All of it has made Jampot one of the best small town bakeries in the U.S.

Jampot offers a range of treats made using locally-sourced ingredients. The banana and walnut muffin is a bestseller, and the cinnamon rolls sell out quickly each morning. The peanut butter and jelly bars and wild berry preserves are also a must. The fruits used are handpicked by the monks from nearby bushes and include some hard-to-find flavors, such as thimbleberry and bilberry.  Customers can also find truffles, brittles, brownies, and cookies, as well as pancake mixes, trail mixes, and even sourdough bread. 

Online Reviewers have highlighted the unique experience and fresh offerings, with many praising the fact that you can see the bakers working from the storefront. One Yelp user wrote, "If you are within 45 mins to an hour of here, you must go. This is a pivotal UP experience that you will remember forever...Anything from here is going to be the best you have ever had. Muffins, jam, cake slice, literally anything."

A few people feel like the bakery charges premium prices, but most believe it's worth it for the scratch-made products. The proceeds also help fund the monastery, and some items, like the muffins, are said to feed more than one person. One thing to keep in mind before your Lake Superior visit: Jampot is only open Wednesday through Saturday from May to mid-October. And if you are in the area, don't miss Fitzgerald's, which made Tasting Table's list of the best restaurants with a view in every state.