Hiland Bakery

The cream filled raised doughnuts sprinkled with powdered sugar are life changing! Get there early to buy them!

So… good…yum…donut…chocolate…donut…mmm…
Give me a minute… I need to finish this donut amazingness…
Ok. Thank you. I’m ready now.
I stopped by Hiland this morning while I was in the area (just North of North High School). It was just after 9, so I figured the donut selection would be limited, but that would be ok. I found easy street parking right outside the bakery and went right in. I was the only customer, but I could tell that many others had been there that morning due to the donut selection. They were out of glazed and powered donuts, and the friendly woman working the counter told me that one person came in early and bought them all. She said that they normally have plenty of glazed during the week (they close at 1pm and still have some left), but today was an exception. Maybe this one person was planning on fattening up his/​her Valentine?
The woman working recommended calling ahead to order donuts, especially on the weekends (when they do usually sell out). Just give them a call, and they will hold your order until you come pick it up that day. Awesome.
I ordered an assorted dozen (just told the wonderful woman to choose her favorites for me). I dropped this dozen off to my husband at work, and I got one additional donut (plain donut with chocolate frosting) for myself. My total was $ 11.85. Not a bad deal. While I don’t know what a dozen runs at other donut shops, I felt that the price was pretty good. (I don’t know if this was for 13 or 14 donuts. I didn’t think to ask if their dozen is 12 or a baker’s dozen. And my husband doesn’t know because folks had already eaten most of the dozen when I thought to ask him.)
My donut was absolutely amazing. It was dense yet soft and fluffy. The chocolate frosting was thick and creamy. And it was obvious that the donut was baked this morning. I didn’t know how bad donuts from other places are before this (well, they’re not bad… they just don’t compare to this one).
As other reviewers have said, bring your cash. No cards accepted here (not sure about checks… bring your cash just in case). As I’m writing this, this Unilocal page says Hiland accepts credit cards. That is incorrect. And remember you can call in your order.

I grew up having sugar cookies from hiland bakery and recently was back in Des Moines and was happy to learn that the bakery was still in business so we got some sugar cookies. They were amazing, exactly what I remembered. Can’t wait to get some next time I visit.

I am so in trouble. I love doughnuts. Childhood memories with the baked circle with glaze or chocolate.
I have always heard about this bakery but never had a chance to experience them.
Stopped in on a early morning whim. Needed something for a food work day.
At just 6:10 I walked in. The bakery was brightly lite and two or three people where walking in right behind me. The cases where completely full of doughnut selections. I knew this wouldn’t be the case for long as more people shuffled into the tiny entry.
Everything looked really good and smelled fresh. I picked a couple from the suggestions on Unilocal and then told her to load the remaining dozen of whatever she knew was good. I am usually an avid Caseys doughnut girl but this style my glaze loving heart. I kinda want to break off a bit off all the others just to try the sugary goodness.
Maybe no one will notice if I lick one… Just joking. Or am I? ;)
If I’m lucky there will be a few I can smuggle home.
I will most definitely be back, but yes be a super early riser if you want a good selection. I think it’s good they don’t have as many to go to waste if they only do a certain number.
Don’t forget your cash or check cause they don’t do cards. Which probably helps keep cost down and them in business forever. 11.00 even for a dozen. In and out and away I go. Now I’m on my sugar rush and ready to get this day going.

As a present to me on my last day of work a coworker stopped by Hiland Bakery to pick up a dozen donuts as a send off. I had never even heard of this place and I can tell you I have not had donuts this good since I was a child at my local small town bakery in northwest Iowa. This place will definitely receive multiple visits from me and my family in the future. The smell alone was enough to make me feel like I was 7 years old. If you want donuts the way they used to be made then get in here and put some in your face. I am counting the days until I can vist myself and try a crème longhorn.

If you can get here early, the donuts are out of this world delicious. Fresh, and oh so tempting! A definate diet buster, but my favs are the jelly filled and bismarks! You also must try there whimsical shaped sugar cookis, they melt in your mouth. I also love that they sell milk to go with them!!! If you want a happy birthday cake or a beautifully delicious champagne cake they mak em! Get there early cause everything goes fast!

I grew up in the area so I suppose I’ve been spoiled but I think they have the best donuts ever! I’m a huge fan of their glazed and raspberry filled donuts. Best anywhere! I highly recommend that you stop by if you’ve never been!

The best bakery I have ever been to and miss it since we moved to Kansas City. Nothing better than stopping in on the to work for years and smelling those delicious baked goods. Miss it and miss seeing Brian, the owner who always took care of us.

Best bakery in Des Moines. The powdered donut is amazing– I think it’s a cream cheese mixture in the center. Even better chilled:) My dad grew up going to this bakery & taught us early on where to get the best donuts & cookies.
My dad would stop in almost every morning to get donuts & other goodies for anyone he was going to meet that day– dr’s, dentists, friends, etc.
If you’ve never tried hiland bakery you MUST stop in & check it out. Cute, small bakery in the unassuming hiland park area. So many options to choose from! Get there early though, some goodies sell out quickly. Everything is to-​go. Super cute cakes, mini or large.
Everything we’ve tried here is amazingly delicious.
At my dad’s visitation after he passed we served hiland donuts & cookies– it was a perfect tribute to his life.
Quit reading Unilocal & head over to hiland bakery. Yum.

We consider our selves donut junkies, and these are some of the best donuts we’ve ever had. Thank you! Will make this part of our Des Moines trip stops.

First time as an adult going to this bakery and I am a huge fan.
The crème longhorn is just awesome. Now I know why when I a little kid growing up in the 70’s my father was such a huge fan of these awesome pastries. I’ve eaten this pastry from local stores, Hiland’s are hands down the best in city. Theirs has no shortening aftertaste — just delicious greatness!
I bought 18 donuts today for the crew at work. This is now my favorite place for homemade fresh donuts, crème horns, and cookie.

Every time I come to Des Moines, I make a point of going to this bakery. I have loved their pastries and cookies ever since I was little, and today, 20+ years later, still as awesome as ever! It doesn’t look like much from the outside, and no, it’s not fancy inside, either, but don’t let that put you off. Get there early to get best variety! Mmmm…

One of the best little from-​scratch bakeries you’ll find anywhere. The chocolate long-​johns and cream filled powdered donuts are legendary. But my all time favorite is the nutty fry rolls. They frost the top with a light white frosting then sprinkle crushed nuts on top. Mmm-​good! When I was a kid it would take me me a ½ hour to find enough empty pop bottles to cash in to buy one of these, but well worth it!