DORR, MI — A cafe in Dorr is a worthwhile stop, where fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and house-roasted tomatoes keep customers coming back daily.
Stud Muffins Cafe and Bakery, 1668 142nd Ave., opened its brick-and-mortar location about a year and a half ago. The business, which began as a home-based hobby, is owned by a couple who live nearby.
“It all started mostly with cakes and cupcakes,” said Ashley Bostic, who is self-taught.
The baking operation, which pleased friends and family mostly, began while Ashley and husband, Kris, lived in Colorado. The hobby continued through moves across five states before they settled in Michigan seven years ago.
Michigan’s more flexible cottage food laws allowed the home baking business to flourish in ways it hadn’t in other states.
The business gained traction through craft shows and social media before evolving into a food truck that traveled throughout West Michigan. Now the couple is focused entirely on the cafe.
The cafe’s swinging seats and interior design come from Ashley’s Pinterest boards, Kris said. Other ideas, like coffee bags lining the ceiling were more spontaneous decisions.
“We spent a lot of time trying to create a really welcoming atmosphere,” Kris said. “We wanted a place for people to kind of gather and come together, especially after the pandemic.”
The bakery is known for its cinnamon rolls, though customers also flock to the blueberry streusel muffins, which are an every day staple.
“We sell more of the blueberry muffins than anything else,” Ashley said.
The almond puff pastries, a recent addition, have proven so popular that they can barely keep them in stock.
Coffee comes from Freedom Hill Coffee Roaster, a veteran-owned business near Torch Lake in Bellaire. Kris is a veteran, making the partnership meaningful for the couple.
Coffee flights for $9.99 come hot or iced and feature four rotating flavors.
The Lake Michigan Latte for $6.99 is an off-menu item that makes appearances in the summertime. The layered iced drink reflects the cross section of Lake Michigan with a deep blue first layer, sandy milk middle layer and dark coffee bottom layer.
Beyond baked goods and coffee, the cafe serves breakfast and lunch, with everything made from scratch. The couple makes their own bagels, biscuits, and roasted herb tomatoes.
For breakfast, bagel sandwiches are a top seller. The lunch menu features paninis for $9.99, with chicken bacon ranch as the most popular option, though the BLT for $9.49 has earned its own following.
“I’ve heard quite a few people say we have like the best BLT because of our tomatoes,” Kris said, referring to the house-roasted Roma tomatoes seasoned with herbs.
Kris added that there are regular requests for the roasted tomato recipe.
The cafe also takes special orders for cakes, with a focus on weddings rather than smaller birthday cakes due to staffing constraints.
“I’m the only person that can do the decorating,” Ashley said, adding that wedding orders allow for more advance planning.
The couple hopes to hire more staff this summer as they pay down startup costs, which would allow them to expand their offerings and potentially add walk-in cake options for customers.
Stud Muffins Cafe and Bakery is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.
For more information, upcoming flavors, or to place a special order, visit the cafe’s website here or call 616-681-3791.
