Bartliff's Bakery - Artisanal Donuts

Those who know Bartliff’s in Clinton likely don’t need another reason to visit the famous bakery on the corner of Albert and Rattenbury Streets on the town’s main street. It’s a hive of activity and for good reason. 

Locals catch up on town news over bottomless cups of coffee. Travellers from near and far stop in for home-cooked food, often leaving with an armful of baked goods from the enviable cake counter. And business people gather to discuss everything from farm equipment to administrations and local politics. 

 

In October of 2012, Brad and Darlene Hymers purchased the iconic bakery and have stayed true to what makes this place an institution: daily specials featuring home cooking, swivel stools at the diner-style counter, and across the way the glass cake counter where iconic treats - chop suey loaf, apple fritters and mocha circles – remain popular mainstays that the bakery has served for decades. 

But now there’s another reason to make a stop at this established local hotspot. 

Bartliff’s is putting itself on the artisanal donut map with its imaginative creations. Each day, the donut of the day is announced on their Instagram account @bartliffs.bakery, which has become a drool-worthy catalogue of their sweet treats. 

Mint chocolate chip, black forest cake, carrot cake, cheesecake-stuffed apple fritters and even chocolate chip cookie dough speciality cake-like donuts have proven popular. So much so that we speak from experience when we say that donut fans will need to arrive early (the bakery opens at 6 a.m. these days). Failing to do so may result in walking out with an oversized apple fritter (not that there’s anything wrong with that), gooey Boston cream, or a messy coloured sprinkle – the traditional donuts that have brought Bartliff’s fame for decades.

“The caramel apple fritters and the cheesecake-stuffed apple fritters are incredibly popular,” says Courtney Hymers, Brad and Darlene’s daughter, but also the baker preparing the cakes and donuts each day.  

Donut in hand, prop yourself up on one of the swivel stools at the counter (pending lockdown restrictions) or watch the world go by from the high-top bar providing views of the library, town hall and life on the town’s main street.  For a truly Huron County donut and coffee experience, grab a cup of locally roasted Coastal Coffee to wash down the sweetness! 

Bartliff’s bakes fresh donuts Monday to Saturdays only, as even the baker deserves a day of rest on Sundays. 46 Albert St, Clinton. 519-482-9727. Or on Facebook .