Oct 283 min read

Discovering Horst's Little Bakery Haus: Celebrating German Heritage and Hand-Crafted Donuts

Downtown Madison Craft Doughnuts

Why is Horst’s Little Bakery Haus a perennial downtown favorite at 843 W. Main St.?

Co-owner Angela Gregory thinks she knows. “It offers a product that no one else has. It gives a variety downtown” that keeps customers coming back for more. “I’m always grateful for those regular customers that help keep us in business.”

Everyone who walks through the doors has a “must-have” donut. (Come early if you want an apple fritter!) Although Horst’s is known for its mouth-watering donuts and specialty cakes, this time of year customers will also find icebox cookies decorated for Halloween. In a few weeks, orders for pumpkin and pecan pies will be filled, followed by special Christmas treats like fruitcake cookies, springerle cookies and sweet German stollen. Customers can call 812-274-2051 for orders to be picked up at either location

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with Madison Main Street.

There’s another aspect to Horst’s customer service: “Part of it is the willingness to accommodate customers. Last week we were asked to make cream-filled Long Johns with maple and bacon on them. We’d never done that before. We’ll make it for them, even if it sounds disgusting,” Angela smiled.

The quality of Horst’s hand-crafted donuts is a big factor in their business success. Each one is made overnight in Madison, before Horst’s hilltop location opens at 4:30 a.m.

“We have people who’ve travelled all over the U.S. They tell us our donuts are the best.”

Photo Credit to Austin Sims and Lindsay Holley with Madison Main Street.

This German-style bakery has that roots go back decades when John Dieken established a business in Madison. Dieken, who still lives in Madison, carefully taught his craft to Horst Moehlman, another German immigrant. After Dieken retired and his business closed, Moehlman opened his own shop on the hilltop in 2004.

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with Madison Main Street.

Horst and his wife Mary Moehlman are now retired, and their grandson Thomas is co-owner with his wife Angela. Thomas works making donuts and whatever else needs doing. Angela is at the hilltop location Saturday mornings and weekday mornings, before her other job in the daycare at Madison Junior High. Daughter Caitlin Reece is a cake decorator. Angela’s brother, Shawn Shepherd, also works at night, making pastries. Horst’s is definitely a family business, but success also depends on long-time employees like Kelley Culver (employed for 19 years) who comes in the middle of the night to handle baking and icing chores.

Regulars at the downtown location will likely know Tina McClure. Her regular role is breakfast cook, but currently she is the only employee downtown, so she’s been handling product sales only. The kitchen is expected to reopen when a new clerk is hired. Hours downtown are 6-11 a.m., Tuesday through Saturday. (Horst’s at 220 Clifty Drive is open 4:30-11 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.)

“We love what we do,” said Angela Gregory. “People ask what our secret ingredient is, and I always say ‘love.’ Anybody can make a donut, but it’s the love that makes it good.”

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