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Driving for Dessert: Golden Grain Bakery in Melfort

If you’re looking for a legendary doughnut from a prairie bakery, then Golden Grain Bakery in Melfort has what you need. Just like the Boston creams at Wadena Bakery in Wadena, SK, the doughnuts at Golden Grain Bakery have a long-standing popularity with locals and visitors alike, especially the bismarks and big feet. 

Photo supplied by Golden Grain

Bismarks are doughnuts that are filled with jam and topped with icing – chocolate, vanilla or glazed – while big feet are exactly as they sound – a large icing-covered doughnut in the shape of a foot. Golden Grain Bakery’s doughnut selection doesn’t stop there either. It also has long johns, cinnamon-sugared cake doughnuts, chocolate-glazed doughnuts, spudnuts and more. Owners Don and Pat Neher say the doughnuts are so popular that many customers stop through Melfort specifically to pick some up.

Photo by Naomi Hansen

“We get people from Alberta all the time, and during the summer when people are heading to the lake, they stop in,” Don said. “We sometimes get a call to ship the bismarks too. We had a call last fall to ship some out to Alberta for someone’s birthday. It’s one of those things where if you grew up here, there’s a memory associated with them. It’s very nostalgic.”

Photo by Naomi Hansen

The bakery itself is a source of nostalgia for locals too. It first opened 35 years ago in 1986, and the Nehers took over in 2006. Many of the recipes, including the bismarks and big feet, have remained the same over the years and have always been popular sellers. Other treats like cinnamon buns (large and small), muffins, turnovers, plus seasonal baking like holiday sugar cookies, butter tarts and hot cross buns are also available.

Although it’s known for its doughnuts, Golden Grain Bakery also offers a small lunch menu. The submarine sandwiches are perfect for grab-and-go and are served on freshly baked sub buns. There is also a freezer section with take-home goods like pie dough, pizza dough and farmer sausage from Ideal Meats in Osler, SK. 

When asked why he thinks Golden Grain Bakery is unique, Don says it’s their commitment to making baked goods the old-fashioned way – made from scratch with simple ingredients. 

Photo supplied by Golden Grain

“The best part about the bismark or the long john or whichever doughnut is that it’s fresh,” Don said. “It hasn’t been frozen and then shipped out somewhere. Our doughnuts are made fresh every day and we predominantly do things from scratch. Everything’s mixed in a bowl here with flour, sugar, salt, and it’s as close to homemade baking as you’re going to get.”

Photo supplied by Golden Grain

Make it a day trip 

Turn dessert at Golden Grain Bakery into a day trip and explore what the Melfort area has to offer.

What to see/do

Just a few doors down from Golden Grain Bakery is Prairie Boys Antiques, an antique shop that buys, sells and trades antique and vintage items. It’s the perfect place to pick up a new-to-you treasure! If you’d like to have a sit-down meal, check out RJ’s Urban Garden Cafe, which is also on Burrows Avenue. The restaurant has wraps, sandwiches, bowls, burgers and more, along with plenty of hot and cold beverage options. While you’re downtown, snap a photo of the historic Melfort Post Office. Built circa 1912, this landmark offers a little slice of history on the corner of Main Street – you can’t miss it!

Photo by Naomi Hansen

Bonus points

Depending on when you’re visiting, there are many seasonal activities just a short drive from the city. In winter, visit Wapiti Valley Ski Hill, which is a 30-minute drive from Melfort. The ski resort’s season is weather-dependent, so call ahead for the latest updates. If you’re visiting in warmer weather, Creekside Orchard is just outside of Melfort and offers a seasonal apple and cherry U-pick, along with other produce and products for sale like jams and jellies. 

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Golden Grain Bakery is located at 108 Burrows Avenue West in Melfort, SK. Find more information and hours on Facebook. Golden Grain Bakery and one of its recipes (the bismark!) will also be featured in Naomi Hansen’s forthcoming book, Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries. Visit www.naomihansen.ca for more information.

 

Author: Naomi Hansen

Naomi Hansen is a writer and editor based in Saskatoon, SK. She is the author of the forthcoming book Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries, which will be published by TouchWood Editions in April 2022. Find her on Instagram @onlyinsaskatchewan, Twitter @naomihansen_ or at www.naomihansen.ca. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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