Chicken Bakin Ranch Offers Fresh Pastries in Laurens

This story was originally reported in the Record-Democrat Newspaper by Erin Sommers in March 2025. Support your local newspaper!

Chicken Bakin Ranch was the place to be in Laurens March 17.

The bakery was open for its first day and drew in customers for rolls, donuts and cupcakes all day long.

Sarah and Brett Dunnick opened the bakery at 102 N. 3rd Street, on the corner of 3rd and Main in Laurens, after Sarah spent several years making cookies, cakes and cupcakes to order for the community. A classically trained pastry chef, her adorable designs and precision decorations stood out to customers.

“We moved to this area because I worked in crop insurance,” Sarah said. She built up her customer base for a few years; Pocahontas County Economic Development Director MaryJo Litwiller approached the Dunnicks two years ago, asking if they would be interested in opening a full bakery.

Ultimately, they decided to go for it. They found their building and Brett, who is an Army veteran and who has a background in construction, began renovating the building. Earlier this year, PCEDC selected Chicken Bakin Ranch as a Jump-Start Accelerator grant recipient.

“We’re excited that Sarah and Brett chose to bring something new and special to the community, and it will be nice to have a place where people can enjoy delicious food while relaxing and connecting with others” Litwiller said.  “Congratulations to Sarah and Brett on the opening of their bakery and we look forward to indulging in the various treats from the bakery.”

The name comes from Sarah’s plan, years ago, to eventually have her own pumpkin patch and farm. She told Brett about that dream early on in their relationship. She wanted to call it Chicken Bakin Ranch, both because it’s a popular food in Iowa and because the name is unique and memorable.

For now, Chicken Bakin Ranch will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 a.m. until noon. She’s hoping to add croissants, bagels and breads to the menu soon. It’s the sweets that really made a name for Sarah and the bakery. “We do a lot of custom cakes and cookies,” she said. “It’s really our bread and butter,” Brett added, then noted the pun.

The couple said the Laurens community has been incredibly supportive of them and the bakery. They both grew up in central Iowa, and Sarah said she doesn’t think she could have opened a bakery there. “We don’t ever want to move back to Central Iowa,” she said. “We just like the pace of small towns.”

Brett agreed. “The pace is simple,” he said.

“It just feels like home,” Sarah added.