- Attraction: Hinkley Bakery
- Location: 700 S Blackstone St, Jackson, MI 49203
- Industry: Bakery
- Website: Facebook Page
When your sweet tooth starts demanding satisfaction at dawn, most people settle for whatever’s convenient.
But Jackson locals know there’s only one place worth the inevitable line that snakes around the corner: a humble brick-and-wood building where four generations have perfected the art of handcrafted donuts since 1913.
Hinkley Bakery isn’t just another donut shop – it’s a living piece of Jackson history where fourth-generation owner Brian Hinkley still uses the original 1913 oven to create donuts using century-old family recipes.
MLive has crowned them Michigan’s best donut shop multiple times, and once you taste their legendary chocolate crescents, you’ll understand why people drive from Ann Arbor and Lansing weekly just to get their fix.
Donut Perfection Worth The Wait
Chocolate Crescents: The undisputed champion that built Hinkley’s reputation. Shaped like giant hushpuppies with rich, dark chocolate glazing, these substantial treats arrive still slightly warm and deliver pure donut bliss with every bite. They’re dense, satisfying, and completely unlike the hollow offerings from chain stores.
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Keep Exploring →Custard-Filled Long Johns: These cream-filled chocolate-covered beauties feature smooth, rich custard filling that perfectly complements the chocolate exterior. They’re substantial treats that showcase the bakery’s commitment to quality ingredients.
Apple Fritters: These masterpieces feature a crispy exterior hiding real apple chunks, with frosting covering every surface and a doughy-delicious interior that sets them apart from ordinary fritters. They’re substantial enough to share, though you probably won’t want to.
Glazed Donuts: Standing over two inches tall, these aren’t your typical glazed donuts – they’re substantial, weighty treats with glazing covering all sides rather than just drizzled on top. The texture is perfectly doughy inside with just the right amount of sweetness.
Blueberry Crescents: Featuring a soft, muffin-like interior packed with real blueberries, these crescents offer a lighter alternative while maintaining Hinkley’s signature quality and freshness.
Cream Cheese Danish: The cream cheese pastries arrive doughy-soft with a gooey ribbon of icing topping a thick layer of cream cheese that melts in your mouth.
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Discover MoreOld-School Atmosphere & Vintage Charm
Historic Building: The bakery operates from an 1890s wooden building with a brick façade that perfectly captures the vintage, old-school atmosphere visitors love. The old-fashioned building includes a small gravel parking lot that adds character while keeping the space accessible.
The Line Experience: No matter what time you arrive, expect a line stretching down the sidewalk – but it moves fast and gives first-timers a chance to plan their order while watching trays of hot donuts emerge from the kitchen. You’ll hear updates about when fresh batches of long johns or donut holes will be ready.
Cash-Only Simplicity: The bakery maintains its old-school charm by operating primarily as a cash business, keeping transactions quick and simple during busy morning rushes.
Vintage Display: The donut presentation embraces vintage styling rather than modern aesthetics, but this authentic approach is part of what makes the experience feel genuinely nostalgic.
Other Considerations
Pricing: Specialty items like long johns cost around $1.00 each, while most other donuts are priced even lower – making them cheaper than Dunkin’ or Tim Hortons while delivering vastly superior quality. While prices run slightly higher than chain bakeries, the exceptional quality and taste make every penny worthwhile.
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Keep Exploring →Timing Strategy: Arrive early for the best selection, especially on weekends when lines can wrap around the corner by 10:00 AM. Friday and Saturday mornings see the longest lines, but the wait is always worth it.
Hours: Open Wednesday through Saturday from 5:15 AM to 1:00 PM, closed Sunday through Tuesday. They often sell out of popular items, so earlier visits guarantee better selection.
Call-Ahead Option: While many prefer the authentic experience of waiting in line, you can call ahead to place orders and skip the queue for pickup.
Family-Friendly: This local institution welcomes families and has been creating sweet memories for Jackson residents across multiple generations, with some families making weekly trips from as far as Detroit just for these exceptional donuts.
Hinkley Bakery
📍 700 S Blackstone St, Jackson, MI 49203
