Jaarsma Bakery

History The Jaarsma Bakery in Pella, Iowa has been offering delicious "Dutch Treats" since 1889, when it was founded by Harmon Jaarsma who used recipes he brought over as an immigrant from Holland. A hundred years ago, Harmon had two brick ovens in the bakery that were fired with wood. After the ashes were brushed out, the bread was put in to bake, followed by the buns, Dutch Letters, cookies, and finally rusks as the ovens slowly cooled down before re-firing. The bakery also served as a coffee shop and living quarters for the family. Back then everyone's favorite treat, the Dutch Letters, were made only as a special treat for Sinterklaas Day ( the Dutch Santa Claus Day ), December 6th. They are typically shaped into an "S" for "Sinterklaas". In this old photo Harmon Jaarsma is baking a pan of Dutch Letters.