The Donuts at This Tiny Minnesota Bakery Are the Most Unforgettable Thing You’ll Ever Taste

Unforgettable is a big claim for a donut. One bite here, and that claim suddenly feels like an understatement.

Dough gets made fresh daily, glaze applied generously enough that fingers inevitably end up sticky before the first bite even finishes. Lines form early too, regulars showing up before sunrise just to guarantee their favorite flavor doesn’t sell out before they arrive.

Earning a reputation this bold takes more than one lucky batch impressing a single customer somewhere. Consistency built it instead, the same quality showing up morning after morning rather than fading once initial hype settled down.

Few donuts inspire devotion quite like these. Minnesota mornings taste considerably better once this bakery enters the routine.

A Century of Frying Dough on East Broadway

Back in 1924, Calvin Coolidge was president and Winona was a busy river town. That same year, the Bloedow family started baking, and the shop has stayed in the family ever since. I find that kind of staying power almost hard to believe.

Plenty of old bakeries have closed, changed hands, or switched to frozen dough. Bloedow did not. The recipes and the habits seem to have carried right through the decades, and many visitors say the donuts taste the way they remember them from childhood.

Some grew up with parents who woke early just to bring home a warm bag.

Quick tip on the name. Locals say it so it rhymes with the word for modeling clay, so practice before you get to the counter. Nobody will scold you, but it is fun to sound like you belong.

Knowing this history makes the visit feel richer. You are not just grabbing breakfast. You are tasting something a whole town has protected for about a hundred years, one tray of dough at a time.

The Glazed Donut That Started My Obsession

Simple wins here. Out of everything in the case, the plain glazed donut is the one people keep coming back to, and after one bite I understood why.

The dough is pillowy and airy, with a gentle chew that springs back. A thin, crackly glaze coats the outside and shatters a little when you bite. It is sweet without being heavy, so you can easily finish one and start thinking about a second.

Here is my honest advice. Eat it right away, ideally on the sidewalk outside. Glazed yeast donuts are at their absolute best in the first hour, when the inside is still soft and the coating has that fresh snap.

Some regulars say they have traveled widely and still rank this one at the top. I cannot argue. There is no fancy topping or trendy twist, just a donut done exactly right.

If you are visiting for the first time and feel overwhelmed by choices, start here. It sets the bar for everything else, and it is the best way to understand what makes this bakery so loved.

Maple Long Johns Rule the Case

Ask a Winona local for one recommendation and the answer is often the same. Maple long john. These long, rectangular donuts are a clear crowd favorite, and families have been ordering them for generations.

The shape matters more than you might think. A long john gives you more dough in every bite, so the soft yeast texture really gets a chance to shine. On top sits a thick layer of maple icing that tastes warm and cozy, a little like pancakes on a snowy Sunday.

Fair warning. They go fast. By late morning, the tray can look pretty bare, so plan to arrive early if this is your must-have.

I liked tearing mine in half to share, though I quickly regretted being so generous. If you are bringing a box back to friends, tuck in a few extra maple long johns. They travel well for a short car ride and tend to disappear first at any gathering.

Some bakeries treat maple as an afterthought, but here it feels like the main event. One bite and you will see why it has such a loyal fan club.

Filled Donuts and the Daily Surprise

Part of the fun is not knowing exactly what is inside. Bloedow rotates its fillings, and different days bring different flavors, so two visits rarely look the same.

Bavarian cream is a standout. It is smooth, cool, and rich, tucked into a soft shell dusted with sugar. Apple-filled treats also earn plenty of praise, with a cozy, spiced sweetness that tastes like fall in Minnesota.

Saturday sometimes brings a fluffy filling that some fans compare to whipped peanut butter. My suggestion is simple. Ask what the filling of the day is. The staff move quickly, so have a backup choice ready in case your first pick is gone.

Filled donuts can be messy. Grab a napkin, lean forward, and accept that some cream may end up on your sleeve. That is part of the experience, honestly.

A good filled donut should feel a little indulgent and a little chaotic. Try one each visit and keep a mental list of favorites. Before long, you might start planning trips around which day your favorite filling shows up.

Cake Donuts for the Old-School Crowd

Not everyone wants airy. Some mornings call for something sturdier, and that is where the cake donuts come in.

The chocolate covered cake donut gets a lot of love. It has a tight, tender crumb and a glossy chocolate coat that sets just enough to hold its shape. Dunk it in coffee or milk and it soaks up flavor without falling apart.

Sprinkle donuts are another cheerful pick, especially for kids, and adults sneak them too. Cake donuts feel a bit like a trip back in time. They remind me of church basements, school bake sales, and grandparents who always had a box on the counter.

A smart strategy is to mix textures in your order. Grab a glazed yeast donut, a long john, and one cake donut, then compare them side by side. You will notice how each style has its own personality.

Cake donuts also hold up better later in the day, so they are a good choice if you plan to save one for an afternoon snack on the road.

Beyond Donuts, Rolls, Scones and Bread

Donuts get the headlines, but the rest of the case deserves attention. Cinnamon rolls, scones, cookies, and fresh bread all come out of the same busy kitchen.

Cinnamon rolls here are soft and swirled, with plenty of sweet spice in every layer. Scones offer a crumbly, less sugary option for anyone who wants something calmer with breakfast. Date-filled cookies have a devoted following and tend to sell out early, so grab them while you can.

Then there is the bread. A loaf from Bloedow makes an excellent souvenir.

One longtime tip I love is to eat a glazed donut right away and carry bread home for later. Toast it the next morning and you get a second little taste of Winona. Some visitors even try freezing extras, which works better for bread and rolls than for glazed donuts.

If you are staying nearby, a mix of pastries and a loaf can cover breakfast for a couple of days. It also stretches the experience past one quick stop, which is never a bad idea.

Fun Twists Like the Cronut and Maple Bacon

Old-fashioned does not mean boring. Alongside the classics, Bloedow turns out a few playful treats that surprise first-time visitors.

The croissant donut, often called a cronut, is a flaky, buttery hybrid with layers you can peel apart. It is crisp on the outside and tender inside, and fans rave about it. Then there is the maple bacon donut, which pairs sweet maple icing with salty, smoky bacon.

Some describe it like a flavored cloud of happiness, and that feels about right. I was skeptical about bacon on a donut. Then I tried it. Now I am a believer.

These specialty items are not always available, so treat them like a lucky find. If you see one, grab it. The sweet and salty combo works especially well for people who do not usually love very sugary treats.

Pair a cronut with a classic glazed and you get the best of both worlds, new and old, in one paper bag. It is a fun way to see that this historic bakery still has a creative streak.

Lines Out the Door Move Faster Than You Think

Spotting a line stretching onto the sidewalk can feel scary at first. Do not turn around. That line is the best advertisement this bakery has, and it moves along at a quick pace.

Inside, the shop is tiny. Only a handful of people fit at once, so customers wait outside and slip in as others leave. It can feel a bit hectic, especially for newcomers who are not sure how ordering works. Labels are not always posted, which adds to the confusion.

Here is how to make it smooth. Peek at the case while you wait, decide on a few favorites, and have a backup ready. Staff work fast, and being prepared keeps everyone happy.

Honestly, the wait became part of the fun for me. People chat, swap favorite orders, and compare how far they drove. Weekday mornings tend to feel calmer than Saturday.

And once that warm box is in your hands, the few minutes outside will feel like nothing at all.

No Seats, So Find a Good Spot Nearby

Grab and go is the rule here. Bloedow has no seating, so your donut adventure continues somewhere else, and that is half the charm.

Winona is a beautiful place to wander with a bakery box. The town sits along the Mississippi River and is framed by tall bluffs. Lake Winona is a short drive away, with walking paths and benches perfect for a sugary breakfast.

Downtown has historic brick buildings that make a lovely backdrop for a slow morning stroll.

My favorite move was simple. I parked by the water, opened the box, and ate a still-warm glazed donut while watching the morning light hit the bluffs. Bring napkins. Seriously. Glaze, powdered sugar, and filling have a way of ending up everywhere.

Wet wipes in the car are a smart idea too, especially with kids. If the weather is chilly, the car works fine as a cozy little dining room. Wherever you settle, eating these donuts outside in the fresh river town air makes them taste even better.

Plan Your Visit Around Early Hours

Timing can make or break this trip. The best variety appears early, and by midday the trays start looking thin.

Bloedow opens at 6 am Tuesday through Friday and closes at 3 pm. Saturday hours run from 7:30 am to 2 pm. The shop is closed Sunday and Monday, so do not plan a lazy Sunday donut run, because you will be met with a locked door and a sad stomach.

Arrive close to opening if you have your heart set on maple long johns, date cookies, or a specialty item. Early birds get the warmest donuts and the widest choice.

I would also suggest ordering a few extra. Some people drive about forty minutes just for these, and once you taste them, you will understand why one is never enough. Share them with friends, or keep a secret stash.

Either way, this is a stop worth building a whole morning around. Find this beloved family bakery at 451 E Broadway St, Winona, MN 55987, and bring your appetite.