Isle Bakery

I have been working at Isle Bakery since summer of 2020. I wrote my original review about a year after working here, and now I want to update it (write a completely new one) in light of the now public news of new owners of this building.
(I am absolutely not getting paid or anything for writing this, I just love bakery goods)

I genuinely like everything here. If you want me to give something I don't like, I guess I would say the Yulekaga Christmas special bread, which kids don't typically like anyway. Here are the standout favorites though:
Kolaches. Whenever a customer asks me my favorite, this is my go-to. My family, who come from a Checzk background love Kolaches, and I do too. My favorite is the poppyseed, but they are all good. I typically buy cream cheese and prune for our annual reunion.
Sourdough Bread. This is my favorite bread ever. Makes great sandwiches and soup dipping, but I just like to put butter on a slice and eat it.
Cake Donuts. I love these little donuts, and their size is made up for in being more dense than the standard rings. This summer, we have had off and on chocolate cake donuts, which I love even more. In the fall sometimes we get lucky with pumpkin or blueberry donuts.
Bavarian Long John. Every single middle aged dad gets these and I cannot blame them. I love the Bavarian filling with the chocolate and is perfect on a warm day.
Lemon Bars. Best bars the bakery sells. Absolutely love these things. Much more of a sweet than sour taste, but that makes them great. One time my brother and I took these into a movie theater to snack on instead of popcorn.
Honey Pecan Caramel Rolls. Paul, our baker, changed our caramel roll recipe last year, and I happen to think for the better. He added honey! Always a go-to on a Sunday morning.
3 Cheese Caramelized Onion Rolls. I had these for a LOT of lunches. Just the best. Eating these 30 minutes after baking was a highlight of my life. My favorite time eating 3 cheese rolls was when Judy brought sloppy joe mix and we made sloppy joes out of these.
There are so many more great baked goods here, but it would take forever to write about everything.

There are some people I want to thank for the experience working here. I am very grateful for the owners Paul and Cori Swenson, they work very hard to keep this place running smoothly. Their son, Ethan, is always friendly and talkative with the customers. My co-workers have been great as well. Colleen does great work with the cakes and I don't think I have seen a poor cake from her. I always know it's going to be a good day at work when Judy is sitting at the table decorating cream cheese cutout cookies. I want to thank my other recent co-workers Bobby and De Ana who have worked really hard this summer with great friendly attitudes. And last year Amanda who made sure everything got done.
Lastly, the customers are really what make working here worth it. Sure, some people can be grumpy or impatient, but a majority of the time people are happy to get some donuts. I don't remember all your names, but if you were in the bakery twice in the last year, I will remember your face. I enjoyed the smile on kids' faces when they got the donut they wanted, or on adults faces when they see Kolaches for the first time in years and remember their own childhood. I like to give recommendations to customers when they ask, or get positive feedback when they like a donut they never tried before.
There have been too many positive experiences here to write about all of them, but that is my updated review of Isle Bakery.

It was certainly a busy Saturday morning, but I can see why that might be common. The rolls, donuts, and pastries all looked so good. Service was great, rolls were delicious, and the coffee was tasty too.

WOW! Was shocked at the variety of treats, all looked yummy! Wish we had been able to get in there before our last day in the area. You won't want to miss out on these goodies. Cute Ethan added to the atmosphere. Maybe Wille will visit again.

Huge variety of pastries, breads, cookies and cakes! Beautiful specialty cakes. Welcomig and friendly staff. Love it!

I recently had Isle Bakery make my wedding cake and cupcakes for my wedding on July 3rd. I worked with Corinne who did a fantastic job on responding to any questions or concerns I had she was very nice and responded within a reasonable time with answers. I ordered an 8in 2 tier cake for my wedding party and then 200 cupcakes for my guests, Cori had made me samples of all the flavors and they were so good I picked them all and have 40 of each flavor. My husband and I favorite was the carrot cake and red velvet. I had about 150 guests attend and I thought at the end of the night I would have a bunch to take home but I didn't have 1 left so I think that speaks volumes I was so happy to hear that. So I would highly recommend Isle Bakery for any event they do a fantastic job they have a great team and I love supporting small business and will continue with any small or big celebration I personally have. 10 out of 10 Stars!

What a great discovery! I didn't get there until afternoon on a Saturday, but they still had a nice selection -- I went right for the giant Apple Fritters and the Bavarian Creme filled Long Johns. Extremely helpful staff. Looking forward to another visit during Fall leaf excursion.

10-17-2021 Sunday morning
Stopped with my grandson to get some goodies
I was not disappointed
So many choices for a small town bakery
Bought a big box of mixed treats, price was very fair
First time I’ve been here
I would say, if your heading north, make a detour and stop here. I guarantee you will not be disappointed

I would like to thank Isle Bakery for the beautiful cake they made for my Son. I called them a day before my Son's birthday and asked them to make a birthday cake for my Son who is in the Navy. I gave them free rein on the design of the cake and they did a fantastic job with less than 24 hours notice! Thank you Isle Bakery!

Made fresh every single day, Isle has a good assortment of pastries including cupcakes, cookies, donuts, Bismarks, eclairs, and caramel apple fritters. They also offer cake decorating for any occasion. They don’t stop at the sweets either. You can grab homemade breads like flax seed loaf and sourdough when you pass through town. Like any old-fashioned, family owned, affordable, accommodating sweet shop, you can find them by following the unmistakable smell of a sugar and flour in the air.

Owned by Paul and Cori Swenson, both of whom spent their formative years in the area. Cori grew up in Brainerd and actually worked at the bakery for the previous owners. Paul grew up in the Isle area until his family moved to the Brainerd. Paul began his love of baking with his stint working at Mr. Donut when he was in high school. Over the course of his career he worked for many bakeries around the country, including the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. His former clients have included stars and even presidents. He and Cori chose to move back to Minnesota and in March of 2015, they took over Isle Bakery.

While it seems to be a hidden gem, it has become, for many, a family favorite and a must stop on the way to the cabin – and thankfully open seven days a week.

We got married last weekend and ordered 50 cupcakes from Isle Bakery. We have always loved their donuts, so we weren't surprised the cupcakes were great too. The price was also super reasonable and the service was super friendly.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE. I've been going here since I was a little girl and my parents would bring me. Now, being older I invite my new friends to come and try the great donuts and cookies and other goodies this bakery offers. One of my all time favorite donuts are here. 10 out of 10. If you have never been, it's a must go.

So great to drop in and see great selection of breads, home-made and just really good. After nice conversation and jumping at my favorite donut (an apple fritter) I knew I had to try a loaf or two of tasty bread. Picked up a great flax seed loaf and another favorite which was a round baked sour dough, and after a few minutes of good conversation with the counter girl (probably the owner) I was out the door and just knew I was going to have a few solid treats at home for the days ahead.

I was right on that count. Seems like Isle has a great place to stop for a donut or two and a treat of well-baked and delicious bread. I KNOW I'll be back and maybe try a new variety of bread real soon. Great to be back and able to stop in again as the new owners are putting a bit of their heart in their baked goods. Why do I know that? Can tell by their great bread and that fritter lasted about two minutes after I walked in my place and I enjoyed it to the last bite!

You won't be disappointed with anything you pick up at the Isle bakery. Reminded me of my very first stop in Isle when the bakery was a favorite stop, and now it reminds me again of Isle and the neighbors I came to like 15-20 years ago. Hope these new owners get to know you too! Drop in and take it all in. I know I'll be back!

This has got to be one of the best bakeries in the entire state! They treat you like family, everyone knows every ingredient in every delicious treat. Of you are within 50 miles and have a cheat day go and get two of everything. I promise you will miss the delicacies once they are gone, but you'll have a backup. Enjoy!

Lovely place, with a great selection of all sorts of typical and not so common baked goods! The staff is as sweet as the confections and pastries they produce! Just the variety of breads alone blows my mind. They make things I've never heard of before, but I want to try them and have tried some so far. And I've never been disappointed yet!

Great little bakery. Friendly staff. Always fresh, variety of rolls and donuts. Always very tasty and fresh. They also have a variety of breads. Definitely delicious. two thumbs up!!

What a fun little bakery - with a huge selection of great treats. Picked up a huge apple fritter for just .99. As a fritter fanatic I'd have to say this one scored pretty high. Bismarck Longjohn was also superb. Quick and easy stop if you're in the southern Mille Lacs area.

If you like Ny type a sweet this is the spot to stop. The rolls are large and delicious! They also have breads and buns and you can order cakes as well. Delicious and always the favorite bakery to stop.

I love this bakery,l lots of delicious dougnuts and cookies to choose from. The people are so nice!! Hubby likes his caramel roll warm so they will warm it up for him and I top them for it. You won't be sorry going to this bakery.

You can tell Cori and Paul love their work, and the breads and treats here are terrific! Great cake doughnuts, especially the chocolate frosted! Kolaches -- cream cheese and blueberry in particular -- are fantastic! And the apple turnovers: wow! Yet my favorite now is the almond bear claws -- gotta have two! Isle Bakery also has harder to find breads too, like Swedish limpa and sourdough boules! Really good! Tasty custom cakes when you need to feed a group, too! A real plus for Isle and the whole Mille Lacs area!

Best bakery in the county. A lot less expensive than in the Twin Cities.