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I have an update for those folks searching for the very best cinnamon roll in Arkansas. It resides at Country Village Oven Bakery in Star City. That is the good news. The bad news? There is a pretty good chance that the bakery is nowhere close to your residence. In short, it’s going to take a little effort to find baked goods greatness, but that’s a small price to pay.
Star City is a tiny town about an hour’s drive southeast of Little Rock. Located smack dab between Pine Bluff and Monticello, the town, and bakery for that matter, kind of feel like they are in the middle of nowhere. I imagine the people of Star City like it that way.
If you do decide to make the drive, then I can almost guarantee that it will end well. Phenomenal cinnamon rolls tend to have that effect. Country Village Oven’s rolls are so soft and doughy with a perfect balance of cinnamon and sugar, but it’s the heavy slather of thick icing that rockets this roll into its own stratosphere.
But wonderful cinnamon rolls only scratch the surface of what the bakery has to offer. Expect a solid dose of southern hospitality once you walk through the door. The charm pairs well with offerings like cookies, pies, cakes, dinner rolls, breads, donuts, and fried pies.
Country Village Oven Bakery truly has it all. The rustic, misshaped blueberry cake donut is a must-order, but so too is the buttery chocolate chip cookie. I imagine all the bakery’s donuts and cookies are a must-order, but I wanted to focus my attention on other delights, like the apple fritter. Aww, the apple fritter, one of the most highly subjective fried items around. Everyone has their thoughts on what constitutes a great apple fritter. Mine need to be fried right, not greasy, and with a heavy hand of apple chunks evenly dispersed throughout. This one hit the mark.
In my opinion, one of the keys to truly enjoying your time at Country Village Oven is to not be in a rush. Order a cup of coffee, sit down, and enjoy a fried pie. Talk with the workers if they aren’t too busy scrambling behind the counter. Afterward, walk around the shop. Notice a display of jams and jellies available to purchase. There is a chilled case filled with cakes and loaves of bread. If you see a jar of strawberry jam, make sure to grab one for the road. You won’t be disappointed.
In fact, the only mistake to be made is leaving the bakery without a few boxes in hand. It would be a shame to go all that way and not load up. Yes, the cinnamon roll is the crown jewel, but everything at Country Village Oven Bakery in Star City is worth the drive.
Country Village Oven Bakery
220 Knight Haven Circle (Star City)
Facebook
Phone: 870-628-3683
Hours:
Tuesday & Wednesday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday-Saturday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday
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