As most Michiganders do in summertime, we recently took a trip up north. The drive from Manistee to Novi was a long one for two toddlers, so I asked my riding buddy (my dad) if we could make a quick break to stretch our legs. There we happened upon this gem, Cops & Doughnuts, a bakery in Clare.

The back story is the local bakery, dating back to 1896, was near closing so the local law enforcement joined forces to keep the doors open. All nine members of the Clare Police Department came to save the day and tastes buds all over the state.

The results are delicious! After re-opening their doors in 2009, they’ve expanded the doughnut and bakery shop to a kitchenette and merchandise store in Clare. As well as expanding locations to five addition “precincts” in Bay City, Gaylord, Lansing, Ludington, and Mount Pleasant.

The bakery itself offers a variety of doughnuts, pies, cookies, Amish fried pies (above) and the “bacon squealer”. Don’t worry, they serve coffee too.

Cops & Doughnuts also has a merchandise store with TONS of neat items including shirts, stickers, coffee mugs and more. Plenty of options to show the love!

With nearly 350,000 visitors annually, this gem is definitely worth stopping by.  These sweet treats are perfect for a road trip. The boys loved theirs so much they asked to go back the next day. 

The Clare location is a quick stop off the expressway at 521 N. McEwan St., Clare, MI.

Visit their website here for more information.