Dough & Joe rates in Top 10 for Iowa Fall Donut Trail 2026 Guide

Sara Stromseth-Troy

TPD Reporter

 

   CRESCO - For those looking for a sweet idea to mark the change of seasons, Dough & Joe Bakery is among the Top 10 recommended designations along the Iowa Fall Donut Trail 2026 Guide.

   Molly Pedretti, who owns Dough & Joe along with her husband, Steve, said that when she discovered the event through social media, she decided to promote Dough & Joe. 

   "It would pop up on Facebook a lot and I would always comment about Dough & Joe. I think marketing for yourself does a lot," she said.

   Pedretti's persistence paid off and Dough & Joe is listed in the Top 10 bakeries on the Iowa Fall Donut Tour Guide. 

   "We found out about one week ago that were listed in the top 10. We've been in listings for the top 10 bakeries in Iowa before, but this is the first time we've been in the Iowa Donut Trail list," Pedretti said.

   She said another happy surprise is that Dough & Joe's sister bakery, Pedretti's Bakery in Elkader, is also featured on the list.

   "Our nephew runs (Pedretti's) and that is originally Steve's father's bakery," she said.

   As for Dough & Joe, Pedretti said the apple cider cake doughnuts are a customer favorite for the fall season.

   "A lot of our customers just love them," she said. "Steve

usually only makes them on Saturday, but he's having to make them during the week. People are ordering them all of the time.

   "It's his own recipe, and the doughnuts are glazed or sugared. During the week, he asks people order two dozen, because he has to make a huge dough. On Saturdays, people don't have to order them, but they should get here early. My suggestion is to pre-order for Saturdays as well."

   Additional fall specialty items at Dough & Joe are pumpkin bars, pumpkin muffins, and a variety of seasonal latte flavor combinations.

   Pedretti said she is looking forward to more visitors to Cresco and to the bakery as word spread about the Iowa Fall Donut Trail.

   "We have a lot of people come in from out of town anyway, but as fall progresses and the leaves change color, there will be more," she said.

   Pedretti is pleased that Dough & Joe continues to receive praise as 2026 marks its 20th anniversary in downtown Cresco.

   "We have been in the bakery business for 34 years; our first bakery (in Cresco) was for 14 years and this one has been here for 20 years," she said. 

   Customers who wish to order apple cider doughnuts or any of other baked goods, fresh-made daily, as well as coffee drinks, may stop by during regular hours Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Dough & Joe is closed Mondays, as well as the first full week of each month (a full week correlating to the bakery's normal open hours).

   "If the first of November falls on a Tuesday, and we are (normally) open on Tuesdays of every week, we would be closed for that full week. If the first of the month lands on a Thursday or Friday, we would be closed the following full week," Pedretti said.

   As Dough & Joe celebrates its 20th year, Pedretti thanks the customers for their continued support.

   "We have the best customers in whole world," Pedretti said. "When they come in, we are so happy. It's really fun to be here and work here because we have wonderful customers and without them, we wouldn't be here. So, a big shout-out to them."

   For more information about Dough & Joe Bakery, visit their Facebook page or call 563-547-2811.