By Giorgia Cattaneo
Truck Editor
Knaus Berry Farms is located on Coconut Palm Drive in Homestead, open from the months of November through mid-April, usually during Miami-Dade’s Redland Farming Season. Starting in 1924, Jess and Harley Knaus moved from Missouri to Miami, beginning to raise vegetables on their 80-acre farm near what is today the Homestead Air Reserve Base. It is Jess’s sons, Russel and Ray, who are the founders of Knaus Berry Farms. In 1954, Russel began to grow strawberries, and Ray joined in 1956, where they set up a small roadside stand. Some of the strawberries were sold to a man, who told Ray’s wife, Barbra, after eating her cookies that they were good enough to sell, thus sparking the creation of the KBF bakery. Now with a fully expanded menu, Ray’s daughters, Rachel and Susan, alongside their husbands, run the daily operations at KBF. Contrary to popular belief, the family is not Amish, but German Baptists known as Dunkers.
Most famously known for their incredible cinnamon rolls, KBF offers a wide variety of other delicious baked treats that are bound to make one drool. They usually provide a “U-pick” option, where you go and pick your own produce, but it seems with COVID-19, that option has been ruled out. It is recommended to go during the weekday during earlier hours, as the lines can get quite long, but it is all worth it once you get your treats. KBF is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m to 5 pm. It is closed on Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
One thing that is crucial if you go to KBF is to bring cash with you; the bakery accepts no other form of payment. Most notable treats include their herb or cheese rolls, strawberry milkshakes, sundaes, black bottom cake, and various pies and cheesecakes. KBF’s most iconic treat remains the gooey, sticky, fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon rolls.
A dozen cinnamon rolls costs only $13.00 and are worth every buck. The lines tend to be quite long, especially during the early months, but this is just to show how coveted these rolls are. While in line, you may want to first get one of their strawberry milkshakes — the line for the creamery is significantly shorter– which is only $6.50 for a large size. They have many different flavors, but its most known is the strawberry milkshake, probably due to Knaus Berry Farms’ strawberry origins. The strawberry milkshake is perfect for those with a sweet-tooth. A strong strawberry taste shines through, reminiscent of that classic strawberry milkshake you’d find in an old-timey diner.
Once at the register, in little to no time, you are handed a box filled with the warm and delectable treat you desired. The cinnamon rolls are fantastic both cold and warm, but they are best when straight out of the oven. Another great treat for those who like things a little bit more on the sweet side, the cinnamon rolls seemingly work hand in hand with the Fall weather and vibe. The rolls are sticky and gooey. The dough itself is a bit fluffy and tears easily, making it easier to eat in one bite. Some of the exterior cinnamon-sugar hardens a bit, creating a unique combination of textures. The melt-in-your-mouth, sweet morsels of gooey goodness are a traditional treat that is worth both the trip and the line. The cinnamon rolls are a must-try for everyone who can get their hands on them. They remain a South Miami classic bound to last for many years to come.
