The Best Apple Cider Donuts in Iowa, According to Iowa Road Trip Followers
Few fall treats have the same appeal as an apple cider donut served fresh from an Iowa orchard. They’re even better when they’re still warm and covered with cinnamon sugar.
We asked Iowa Road Trip followers to name their favorite place in Iowa for apple cider donuts. Two names dominated the responses: Center Grove Orchard near Cambridge and Deal’s Orchard near Jefferson.
Czipar’s Orchard, Wilson’s Orchard, Appleberry Orchard, Allen’s Orchard and Ditmars Orchard also received repeated recommendations.
This isn’t a formal ranking. The list is based on suggestions from Iowa Road Trip followers, with the most frequently mentioned destinations near the beginning.
Most apple cider donuts are seasonal. Some orchards make them only on weekends or during specific hours, and popular batches can sell out. Check the orchard’s Facebook page before making a special trip.
1. Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge
Address: 32835 610th Ave., Cambridge, IA 50046
Facebook: Center Grove Orchard
Center Grove Orchard received more recommendations than any other destination in the discussion.
Several followers mentioned getting the donuts while they were still warm. Visitors may also get to watch as fresh batches are made inside the orchard’s bakery.
The bakery carries apple cider donuts along with caramel apples, pies, cookies and other seasonal treats. Fresh cider and cider slushies are also available.
Visitors can stop at the bakery or make a day of it by purchasing admission to the Farmyard. The larger attraction includes apple picking, a pumpkin patch, farm animals, rides, play areas, a corn maze and numerous fall activities.
Hours and attractions change throughout the season, so check Facebook before visiting.
2. Deal’s Orchard, Jefferson
Address: 1102 244th St., Jefferson, IA 50129
Facebook: Deal’s Orchard
Deal’s Orchard was the other clear favorite among Iowa Road Trip followers.
The fifth-generation family orchard has grown apples near Jefferson since 1917. Fresh cider donuts are sold inside the Apple Barn along with apples, cider, pies, fudge and caramel apples.
You don’t need to purchase admission to visit the Apple Barn. Admission is required for Apple Acres, which contains a corn maze, jumping pillows, slides, a low ropes course and other family activities.
Deal’s also produces traditional and hard cider from its apples. The orchard is generally open daily during the fall, although outdoor activities may be affected by weather.
3. Czipar’s Apple Orchard, Dubuque
Address: 8610 Highway 52, Dubuque, IA 52001
Facebook: Czipar’s Apple Orchard
Czipar’s was one of the most frequently recommended orchards after Center Grove and Deal’s.
The orchard is located a few miles south of Dubuque along Highway 52. Followers repeatedly mentioned receiving cider donuts that were still warm.
Along with freshly made donuts, Czipar’s carries apples, fresh cider, apple butter, honey, jams and other seasonal products. Its location on a bluff also offers views across the surrounding countryside.
Czipar’s operates seasonally. Fresh donut hours may not always match the orchard’s full business hours, so check Facebook before visiting.
4. Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, Iowa City
Address: 4823 Dingleberry Road NE, Iowa City, IA 52240
Facebook: Wilson’s Orchard & Farm
Wilson’s Orchard has grown apples north of Iowa City since 1980.
Apple cider donuts are sold through the farm market and have become one of the orchard’s year-round favorites. They can be purchased individually or in boxes, making it easy to take extras home.
The Iowa City farm also offers pick-your-own fruit, seasonal farm activities and products made from apples grown at the orchard. Its Ciderhouse serves meals and drinks featuring ingredients from the farm.
Wilson’s also operates a location near Cumming. This entry uses the Iowa City address because that was the location specifically recommended by followers.
5. Appleberry Orchard, Donnellson
Address: 2469 Highway 2, Donnellson, IA 52625
Facebook: Appleberry Orchard
Appleberry Orchard was repeatedly recommended by followers from southeast Iowa.
The orchard’s bakery makes fresh apple cider donuts along with pies, breads, cookies and other baked goods. Visitors can also shop for apples, cider, pumpkins, fall decorations, Iowa-made products and gifts.
Appleberry operates seasonally from August through October. Its fall attractions include a petting farm, play area, corn maze and weekend activities.
The orchard is located along Highway 2 near Donnellson and Fort Madison. Don’t confuse it with Appleberry Farm in Marshalltown, which is a separate business.
6. Allen’s Orchard, Marion
Address: 5801 N. 10th St., Marion, IA 52302
Facebook: Allen’s Orchard
Allen’s Orchard has been part of the Marion community since 1969.
Its farm market carries fresh apples, cider, pies, donuts and other seasonal products. Apple cider donuts are made during the fall and are sometimes promoted as a weekend-only item.
Visitors can also pick their own apples when varieties are ready. Because the picking schedule and bakery selection depend on the harvest, check Facebook for current information before driving to the orchard.
Followers from the Cedar Rapids and Marion area repeatedly named Allen’s as their favorite.
7. Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard, Council Bluffs
Address: 19475 225th St., Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Facebook: Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard
Ditmars Orchard makes its apple cider donuts on-site in the orchard’s Sweet Shoppe.
The donuts are sold individually, by the half-dozen or by the dozen. The shop also carries hand-dipped caramel apples, pies, soft-serve ice cream and other sweets.
Ditmars combines an apple orchard with a vineyard, café and seasonal family activities. Depending on the time of your visit, you may find apple picking, a pumpkin patch, live music and special events.
The orchard is outside Council Bluffs and provides one of western Iowa’s strongest options for fresh cider donuts.
8. Iowa Orchard and Pie Bakery, Urbandale
Address: 9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale, IA 50322
Facebook: Iowa Orchard and Pie Bakery
Iowa Orchard is best known for its apples and homemade pies, but its apple cider donuts also earned recommendations from followers.
The farm market carries fresh apples, cider, caramel apples, pies, fudge and other seasonal products. Apple picking and a pumpkin patch are also available during the fall.
The bakery’s cider donut schedule can vary, with fresh batches sometimes concentrated around weekends. Check Facebook for the latest availability.
Iowa Orchard has an additional property near Granger for some pick-your-own activities. The farm market and bakery are located on Meredith Drive in Urbandale.
9. Scarecrow Farm, Lawton
Address: 1592 Charles Ave., Lawton, IA 51030
Facebook: Scarecrow Farm
Scarecrow Farm is a seasonal attraction located about four miles outside Sioux City.
Apple cider donuts are among the farm’s fall food offerings, along with kettle corn, slushies and other treats. The farm has indicated that some food items, including cider donuts, may be limited to Saturdays and Sundays.
The larger attraction covers more than 30 acres and includes a pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals, play areas and numerous family activities.
Admission may be required to enter the farm’s activity area. Review current hours, ticket prices and food availability before visiting.
10. Pop’s Produce, Waukon
Address: 2207 Rossville Road, Waukon, IA 52172
Facebook: Pop’s Produce
Pop’s Produce makes its apple cider donuts on-site in Waukon.
The seasonal market sells fresh produce, plants, garden items and fall decorations. Its homemade cider donuts return during the fall and are promoted through the business’s Facebook page.
Fresh batches may be available only on certain days or until sold out. Check the latest posts before visiting specifically for donuts.
Some older online directories list a different Rossville Road address, so use the address currently promoted by the business on Facebook.
11. Peake Orchards, Waukon
Address: 323 North Line Drive, Waukon, IA 52172
Facebook: Peake Orchards
Peake Orchards is a family-run orchard that has operated near Waukon since 1979.
The orchard sells tree-ripened apples and seasonal apple products, including apple cider donuts. Its donuts may also be available at area farmers markets, including the Decorah Farmers Market.
Peake has limited weekend hours during its relatively short fall season. Donuts may only be made on certain dates, so checking Facebook is especially important.
The orchard’s opening date depends on the apple crop and may fall later than the opening dates of larger Iowa orchards.
12. Harvestville Farm, Donnellson
Address: 1977 Highway 2, Donnellson, IA 52625
Facebook: Harvestville Farm
Harvestville Farm offers apple cider donuts alongside its cider slushies, pumpkin bars and other seasonal treats.
The Donnellson farm has a market, pumpkin patch, corn maze and changing calendar of fall activities. Visitors will also find pumpkins, produce, gifts and food made or sold at the farm.
Harvestville is located on the same highway as Appleberry Orchard, making it possible to visit both during one southeast Iowa road trip.
Hours expand during the fall but may still be affected by weather and special events.
13. Bloomsbury Farm, Atkins
Address: 3260 69th St., Atkins, IA 52206
Facebook: Bloomsbury Farm
Bloomsbury Farm is a large seasonal attraction west of Cedar Rapids.
Apple cider donuts are one of several fall foods available during the farm’s annual Fall Festival. Visitors can also explore a pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm-animal areas, photo displays and more than 30 attractions.
The farm operates on selected dates rather than remaining open daily throughout the fall. Admission is required for the Fall Festival.
Check the farm’s schedule before visiting and confirm that cider donuts are available on your selected date.
14. Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins, Decorah
Address: 2475 State Highway 9, Decorah, IA 52101
Facebook: Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins
Pinter’s combines a garden center, bakery, orchard and pumpkin patch west of Decorah.
Its bakery offers apple cider donuts during the fall. Pinter’s frequently announces fresh batches and special donut hours through Facebook.
Visitors may also find apples, cider, baked goods, fudge, pumpkins, fall decorations and seasonal family activities.
The business operates another candy and gift store in downtown Decorah. The orchard, bakery and pumpkin patch are located at the Highway 9 address.
15. The Big Apple Orchard, Mount Vernon
Address: 1115 Highway 30 W., Mount Vernon, IA 52314
Facebook: The Big Apple Orchard
The Big Apple Orchard has more than 2,000 apple trees representing over 20 varieties.
Its orchard store includes a bakery with apple cider donuts, other baked goods and seasonal products. Visitors can also purchase apples and pick their own fruit when the appropriate varieties are ready.
The orchard received only one recommendation in the original Facebook discussion, but it provides another verified cider donut destination in eastern Iowa.
Check Facebook for its seasonal opening date, hours and current apple-picking conditions.
Before making the drive
Apple cider donuts are seasonal at most of these orchards. Some make them daily, while others offer fresh batches only on weekends or during fall festivals.
Popular batches can sell out before the orchard closes. Check Facebook or call ahead if the donuts are the main reason for your visit.
Hours, admission policies and fall activities can also change with the weather and the annual harvest.
