Driving on I-35 North from Austin Can Be Intense

Typically, a drive from Austin north on I-35 is a harrowing experience, giving both driver and passengers reason to keep moving and be done with it as soon as possible! If you can make it to Dallas with no stops along the way, you’re happy to do it, right? Which is why, until recently, we have sailed on through Waco with barely a glance at the Southern-style building situated in its stately spot on this crazy stretch of Texas highway. However, in the interest of intentional adventuring, on our last trek home from the Metroplex, we decided to veer off the very beaten path for a sweet stop at Collin Street Bakery.

Stop and Smell the Cookies 

“Let’s pull off at that bakery up there on the left,” suggests passenger to driver. “Of course, my love,” says driver to passenger.

Or something like that.

Emptynesters who are brave enough to traverse up and down I-35 can take their time to do it, I say. After all, nobody has to rush back for Monday morning carpool!! Life is carefree and all kinds of breezy Over Fifty, so, hey, why NOT stop and smell the cookies?

Or the fruitcakes.

Inside, the bakery reminds me of a Sunday-style cafeteria in the town where I grew up. We all knew and loved the place, and seeing someone you knew was a common occurrence. It appears that Collin Street Bakery might be that same kind of familiar hangout for the population of Waco, Texas. There’s plenty of seating for groups of coffee-drinkers, but there’s also space to sprawl for studying students.

Since its beginning in 1896, with a recipe brought to Corsicana by German baker, Gus Weidmann, Collin Street Bakery has become famous for its fruitcakes ordered by mail.

The store also carries its own brand of specialty items, like strawberry preserves. If you’d like to try all three of the bakery’s preserves, have the trio (strawberry, pineapple and blackberry) delivered right to your door. Here’s a link.

Man cannot live on fruitcake alone, so there’s also plenty of protein on the menu at Collin Street Bakery.

Salads are packaged up to go or to enjoy inside the cool comfort of Collin Street’s cafeteria-style dining space.

Here’s a look inside the glass case at a croissant sandwich ready for pickup.

The star of the Collin Street Bakery show – fruitcakes. “Baked in Texas – Shipped to the World.”

Plenty of samples are available for those who might be skeptical or skittish about the subject.

Dozens and dozens of cookies fly out of Collin Street Bakery every day. From traditional chocolate chip to a delicately crisped praline, there’s something for everyone in this bakery case.

However, you might be the type who likes to keep the main thing the main thing – which, in this case, is the fruitcake. Take one for a housewarming gift or to enjoy with tomorrow morning’s coffee when you get back home.

It could be served on a fancy china plate as a reward for your I-35 bravery.

Oh, and if your sweet furry friend had to wait in the car, don’t forget to grab a bag of natural gourmet dot treats him or her.

I’m Glad We Stopped

Ok, here’s where I have to admit that, had I known ahead of time that this place was more about the fruitcakes that the cookies, I might not have persuaded my car partner to pullover. H-o-w-e-v-e-r, I also must now admit that I’m glad we did.

Can’t Wait to Share

I did a little research after we were there, watched this video, felt some Texas pride well up in my Lone Star heart, and am now making a list of friends to invite over for a slice of German fruitcake from Collin Street Bakery. Want to be on the list?

Encouraging intentional adventure, a cookie for the road – and a slice of German tradition,

PS – Have you signed up to receive my weekly newsletter? Add your email address here to get a special weekly dose of encouragement from me to you!