Ole Dutch Bakery - Definitely Worth the Drive!
By Mona L. Hayden

     Part of the charm of small towns is discovering small shops that rival those in any big city. This is exactly what I found as I drove through Lake Providence one day and came across The Ole Dutch Bakery Company.

     This family business opened their doors in March, 1983, and haven’t stopped baking since! Locals and travelers alike come by just to get a taste of one of their signature lemon icebox pies. They also line up for the hundreds of dozens of cookies baked here daily as well as the breads, another of their specialties. (My favorite is poppy seed with nuts.)

     Owners Marlin and Kathleen Wedel are of the Mennonite faith and their recipes are taken from Mennonite and Amish cookbooks.  The Wedel’s live in a small Mennonite community and generally hire within their faith but as their bakery grew, they’ve added local employees to help keep the bakery running smoothly. They invite you to come in and find a nice quiet spot to relax and get acquainted while enjoying some of the finest baked goods around.

     Ole Dutch Bakery is known for their cream cheese pound cakes as well as their 7-Up cakes. They also bake custom cakes to order and can reproduce photos on the ‘picture cakes’ with a machine in the bakery. While you can easily load up on cookies, breads, and other pastries, make sure you have room to taste from their full line of donuts handmade each morning.

     The Ole Dutch Bakery is open Tuesday through Friday from 6:30am until 5:00pm and on Saturdays from 6:30am until 4:00pm. They’re closed on Sunday, Monday, and holidays. And during cooler times of the year, they can ship most items to your home or business. I’ve heard that several notable B&B’s across the south serve up pastries and breads prepared at the Ole Dutch Bakery in their own businesses, which is a pretty good indication of just how indescribably delicious the baked goods are at this charming little bakery by the lake.

     Located along Hwy 165 North in Lake Providence, Ole Dutch Bakery offers more than just pastry. Each weekday starting at 10:30am, you can enjoy a delicious home cooked plate lunch or a freshly made sandwich. Sandwiches are also available on Saturdays. They serve until they run out of food which is usually around 2 - 3pm.  The menu changes with the seasons and the temperament of the cook, which means you’re guaranteed a delightful dining experience with every order!

     Be sure to browse through the gift shop area where you’ll find lots of Spatterware metal plates, pottery, and candles. They also stock a great selection of jellies and jams and even hot sauce. Patches Jackson, who has been with the bakery for about eight years, works the front of the business in an efficient and accommodating manner while Verna Hernandez, who has been there about ten years, manages the back just as effectively.  The Wedel’s daughter, Trish, has worked as a part-time employee most of the 21 years they’ve been in business. She bakes all the poppy seed bread and cookies and is also handy assisting her mother with cake decorating when she is in a bind or out of town.

     Together, along with several other employees, they can help satisfy that sweet tooth or assist with orders for special occasions.

     Parking at Ole Dutch Bakery is available curbside and at the back entrance. No matter where you park, you’ll find yourself returning to this quaint little bakery in Lake Providence again and again.