Chocolate fried pies. Yes, chocolate, sitting right next to apple, peach, and blackberry on the same bakery shelf.
That alone would earn a drive in my book. But this little Kentucky bakery also turns out cinnamon rolls, sourdough, salt rising bread, and caramel cake from scratch.
Saturday brings donuts, and only Saturday.
I like how the trip itself becomes part of the treat. Country roads lead the way, and the building looks plain from outside.
Step through the door, though, and you find a tidy, cheerful shop packed with jams, honey, granola, and fresh loaves.
I believe the best family traditions often start with a box of something warm on the back seat. Plenty of folks seem to agree.
So which pie flavor would you grab first?
A Country Bakery Near The Tennessee Line That Earns The Drive
Schlabach’s Bakery sits out in the farm country of Guthrie, Kentucky, close to the Tennessee state line. It’s a small, scratch-baking shop with a big following and a 4.8-star rating across more than 500 Google reviews.
That’s a lot of happy people for a place this size. Clearly, word gets around in Todd County.
The bakery carries an Amish connection, and that heritage shows up in the food. You’ll find breads, pies, cakes, cookies, and pantry goods made the old-fashioned way.
Fried pies get special attention, and for good reason.
Some families drive an hour or more just to stock up. One shopper mentions coming from Bowling Green, about an hour away.
Others swing by when visiting relatives in nearby Tennessee.
Why do people make that trek? Part of it is the baking, plain and simple.
Part of it is the feeling of slowing down for an afternoon.
For Kentucky families, the stop offers something beyond dessert. It’s a chance to share a small adventure close to home.
Kids get a treat, grown-ups get a scenic drive, and everyone gets a reason to talk about it later.
Honestly, that’s a pretty good trade for a tank of gas.
Fried Pies In Flavors You Will Argue About All The Way Home
Apple, peach, blackberry, cherry, and chocolate. That lineup alone could start a friendly family debate before you even leave the parking lot.
These half-moon hand pies are the reason this article exists. Fried pies rank among the most talked-about items at the bakery.
Shoppers compare them favorably to the store-bought snack cakes many of us grew up eating.
Apple and peach come up again and again as favorites. Those are classic Southern flavors, so no surprise there.
Blackberry and cherry show up too, offering a little tartness for fruit lovers.
Then there’s chocolate. One devoted fan calls it her absolute favorite, which tells you it’s no afterthought.
Here’s a fun idea for families. Buy one of each flavor, cut them into pieces, and hold a taste test at a picnic table.
Everyone votes, and somebody inevitably demands a recount.
Fried pies travel well, which makes them perfect road-trip food. They’re handheld, sturdy, and easy to share in the car.
Just keep napkins nearby.
Flavor selection can vary from day to day. If you have a must-have favorite, arriving earlier gives you a better shot at finding it on the shelf.
Cinnamon Rolls Steal The Spotlight Almost As Often
Fried pies may headline the trip, but cinnamon rolls quietly lead the conversation. They’re the single most mentioned item tied to this bakery online.
That’s impressive competition for a shop with so many treats. Some shoppers buy them by the pan.
Others make them a standing order every single visit.
One family says they always grab cinnamon rolls along with a few fruit pies. They make the drive about twice a year, so those rolls clearly mean something.
Buying a whole pan makes sense for a crowd. Picture a Saturday breakfast with grandparents, cousins, and coffee on the table.
Fewer things gather a family faster.
Some regular customers buy extra and freeze them for later. It’s a smart move if you live a good distance away.
That way, the trip keeps paying off for weeks.
Cinnamon raisin bread also gets love from shoppers. It’s a nice choice if you prefer your cinnamon in toast form.
Like most fresh items here, supply depends on the day. Late afternoon visits can mean thinner shelves.
Plan your arrival with the rolls in mind, and your morning crowd will thank you.
Bread Worth Tearing Into Before You Reach The Highway
Salt rising bread is famously tricky to bake. One shopper says her mom finally found a version she approved of right here.
That’s no small compliment. Salt rising bread is an old Appalachian tradition, and people who love it tend to be very particular.
Getting a mom’s seal of approval might be the toughest review of all.
Sourdough also earns attention. One visitor suggests grabbing a fresh loaf if it’s available and eating it right away.
Patience, apparently, is optional.
The bread shelf also includes raisin bread, cinnamon raisin bread, and homemade loaves. Dinner rolls are on the menu too, and some people pre-order them for holiday meals.
One sweet story stands out. A visitor returned years after coming with her late mother.
On the ride home, she pulled a loaf apart in chunks, just like they used to do together.
Food can hold memories like that. A warm loaf of bread can bring back a whole childhood in one bite.
Maybe your family will start its own bread tradition here. Fair warning, though.
A full loaf rarely survives the drive home untouched.
Caramel Cake, Oatmeal Cream Pies, And Other Sweet Temptations
Oatmeal cream pies made from scratch. Grown-ups who grew up on the wrapped kind will understand exactly why that matters.
One shopper describes them as a familiar snack cake taken to a whole new level. Another favorite is the cream-filled chocolate cookie, which one fan calls a whoopie pie.
Caramel cake gets especially passionate praise. One customer calls it the best thing she’s ever eaten.
German chocolate cake also shows up on the shelves, sometimes down to the last one.
Brownies come in varieties like M&M, which kids will spot from across the room. Lemon bars, choco pies, and chocolate chip cookies round out the sweet side.
Pies go beyond the fried kind too. Pecan pie and apple pie both have fans.
Full pies make an easy contribution to a family dinner or church potluck.
On Saturdays only, donuts join the lineup. That gives weekend visitors a special bonus worth timing a trip around.
With this much choice, a plan helps. Let each family member pick one treat.
Then everyone shares, and nobody leaves with regrets.
Pantry Shelves Stocked With Jams, Honey, And Homemade Granola
Jars line the shelves in neat rows, and they’re dangerous for anyone who loves a good breakfast. Jams and jellies are among the most popular take-home items here.
Apple butter has its own fan base. Spread it on that fresh bread, and you’ll understand why.
Pure honey also sits on the shelves, perfect for biscuits or tea.
Granola is another standout, mentioned often by shoppers. It’s a handy pick for families who want something that lasts longer than a pastry.
Some shoppers mention bottled drinks too, which come in handy for the ride home. One visitor discovered a product called Slappy’s Sauce and counted it as a new favorite.
The shop itself surprises people. One shopper notes the plain exterior hides a cute, clean, and well-organized space.
That tidy layout makes browsing easy, even with kids in tow.
Pantry goods also make great gifts. A jar of jam and a bag of granola can turn into a thoughtful present for grandparents or teachers.
It’s a simple way to share a little piece of Kentucky with someone else. Plus, these goodies won’t melt in a warm car.
Plan Your Visit Around These Hours And Habits
Thursday and Sunday are closed days, so mark the calendar carefully. Nobody wants to drive an hour and find a locked door.
The bakery opens Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Hours can change, so checking ahead before a long drive is a smart habit.
You’ll find Schlabach’s Bakery at 6255 Guthrie Rd, Guthrie, KY 42234. The route winds through countryside, which one visitor describes as refreshing for the soul.
It’s an easy add-on for families traveling between Bowling Green and Clarksville.
Timing matters more than you might expect. Stock can run low later in the day, especially on busy afternoons.
One longtime customer once left empty-handed after finding sparse shelves.
Earlier visits generally mean more choices. Saturday mornings bring the bonus of donuts.
Prices are often described as affordable and reasonable. That makes this a budget-friendly outing for families looking for something fun nearby.
Thinking about holidays? The bakery takes pre-orders for items like pies and dinner rolls.
Confirming your order before pickup day can help things go smoothly. A little planning keeps the whole trip sweet.
A Sweet Kentucky Tradition Waiting For Your Family
One family calls their trips here a family tradition, and that phrase sums it up nicely. Schlabach’s Bakery feels like the kind of place people return to for years.
Some come twice a year. Others stop every time they visit family.
A few have been making the drive for decades, carrying memories along with their pie boxes.
For Kentucky families, that’s the real magic. A day trip doesn’t need a big ticket price or a long hotel stay.
Sometimes it just needs a country drive and a bag of fried pies.
Outside, Amish-made furniture is sometimes available for purchase. One family bought a swinging rocker bench years ago and still enjoys it on their porch.
Is every visit perfect? Not always.
Shelves can run thin, and a few shoppers have had mixed experiences. Still, the overall love for this little bakery speaks for itself.
Go early, pick your favorite flavors, and leave room for a surprise or two. Bring the kids, the grandparents, or a cooler for extras.
Then come back and settle the big question. Apple, peach, or chocolate?
