Dexter Cider Mill

They have great cider. Donuts are pretty good, sadly not as good as Jenny’s. It’s a very nice little mill, authentically old, but that’s all it has to offer. No other attractions and no orchards of its own. It’s a great place to stop if you simply want cider and donuts, or jams, etc.

Mmmm apple cider. I’m not from Michigan, but ever since someone mentioned cider mills I was all for visiting one ASAP. I did some searching online and Dexter’s is one of the oldest/​sounded like a good one to visit, so that’s the one we went to on a really warm and sunny Saturday in October. Everyone must have had the same idea, because the line was long!!! Good thing it was warm out.
Anyways, I was a little disappointed that it was such a small place — I think I was hoping for some apple orchards, a pumpkin patch, and just a little bit more space to wander around. Don’t get me wrong, the cider and cinnamon donuts were delicious (scary wasps flying around the tables though). I also reallllly liked that Sandhill Crane Vineyards had a little shop and tasting table in the barn (delicious local wine, I got the seasonal apple wine).
Make sure to bring cash (or check) because they don’t take credit cards. There’s also a variety of other products (apple butter, honey, baked goods, candy) if you’re in the mood for a little something else.
I would probably return to Dexter Cider Mill, particularly for the wine haha, but also for more cider and donuts. I just think I would try to visit a couple other cider mills first next fall.

There is no comparison. None. I love this place with all my heart. The doughnuts are so greasy good the cider is crisp and full of flavor. There may be a line, and it’s worth the wait. My year is never complete until I have been to my beautiful Dexter Cider Mill.

Delicious but definitely over did it with the donuts + cider lol, 2 donuts probably is enough for one person
P. S. popular place should be ready to stand in line or go really early to avoid the line

Such a great cider mill! It doesnt have hay rides and all the bells and whistles that some places do, just really great donuts and cider. The line is usually very long on the weekends, but it goes by pretty fast so dont let it deter you from getting in line.
The donuts are so fresh they are hot and leave little rings in the brown bag… if you have ever been to Franklin Cider Mill this is just like it. Keeping tradition and classics front and center. They also sell products like fresh honey and pastries.

I was excited about the prospect of stuffing my face with cider donuts every weekend ever since I found out I was moving to Michigan. Dexter Cider Mill has definitely become my go-​to fall activity now that I’ve moved to Ann Arbor. I’ve come here more times than I’d like to admit over the last month. It’s a perfect place to bring your out-​of-​town guests! The line can be long but moves fairly quickly and everyone brings his or her dogs which is fantastic. The apple cider is without a doubt the best cider I’ve ever had, and I’m kind of a cider snob. It’s the perfect mix of tart and sweet and a great accompaniment to the cinnamon sugar cider donuts. I dare you to eat only 1 or 2 of them, I’d like to see you try.

The cider is pretty good and the doughnuts are very good. The organization is very poor. On weekends the line to check out will be 30 — 45 minutes. I have bought cider here 3 – 4 times and not bought cider (due to the number of people in line) 5 – 6 times. The line is mostly due to their only being one register. I believe cider was $ 8 a gallon. They have a small store which had a few items, other than that there is not much to see here. If you are afraid of bees just know there are tons of them at all times. Also they do not accept debit/​credit cards, cash or check only.

Not much to do or see. The cider was good. The donuts were just okay, and like others mentioned, not very warm. They have a couple of tables outside and some down by the water. It was pretty, but the presence of a port-​a-​potty kind of cheapened the view.

Always a great time this time of year!

A must stop in the Fall if you are in Dexter MI! I love this Cider Mill because they have the best donuts and cider around town! I also found some great pumpkins here that were very large and in my opinion a great purchase!

Great cider and donuts. The donuts were not very warm (which is my preference) but still delish. Everyone was nice inside. Other products were available and they looked yummy! However, we kept it simple and it was great! We will be back.

A great stop in the fall, but the yellow-​jackets like the apple cider as much as I do.
I love the idea of stopping by a cider mill in the fall, and the Dexter Cider Mill covers most of the bases — hot cider (a little too sweet for me), cold cider (also a little sweet), and fresh donuts (solid). The gingerbread cookies are a less-​common standout.
This mill deals with apples from several orchards, so both the fresh apple and cider offerings vary week to week.
The biggest downside is easily the insects — yellow-​jackets and bees enjoy the cider spilled on the ground, and go after the cider that hasn’t yet been spilled. I’ve never been stung here, but I had several yellow-​jackets land on me during my last visit.
Get your cider & donuts to go, and consider heading to somewhere quieter to enjoy them.

This my favorite place in the region. Early season cider is pretty much the best thing you can put in your mouth, except early season cider plus a hot fresh cinnamon donut. Watch out for the bees, though… they like to hang out here as much as I do, and they are peskier.

The cider and donuts are fine. I tried the cinnamon sugar and the plain ones with the cider. Nothing great but nothing wrong with them… they’re just A-​OK. If I come back again, I’d definitely try the pumpkin ones!
Other than the A-​OK quality cider and donuts, there aren’t many places to sit around the mill. The river is nice, but again, not many seats. And there are also too many bees flying around!
My current rankings of cider mills around Southeast Michigan:
1. Franklin Cider Mill (West Bloomfield)
2. Dexter Cider Mill (Dexter)
3. Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill

Not much to speak of — we visited with my out of town family. In a cool old mill. Lots of friendly people hanging around. Old time candy and items for purchase. That was it. The most impressive was the sitting area behind the mill, that overlooks the river. Such a beautiful spot.
I was surprised to see a Sandhill Crane winery tasting counter, tucked in the corner of the mill. Free tastings and good selections, but we didn’t taste anything we cared for enough to purchase.
Check it out if you are in the area. The candy apples looked good.
Not really a place for kids. There isn’t much for them to do there.

This is a great way to kill about 30 minutes on a gorgeous fall morning (still too cold for this LA girl). Definitely go behind the building and into the basement area as you might be able to catch the apple pressing which occurs every 2 hours. We got a delicious pint of apple cider, a apple donut and a large apple gingersnap cookie for about $ 5. Surprisingly, I found the apple gingersnap cookie to be my favorite item. I typically do not dig gingersnaps but this was the best gingersnap I have had… ever! The hubby, on the other hand, commented that it was not «gingery enough» but he’s a gingersnap snob and I refuse to demote my opinion of such an excellent cookie!
If you decide to go behind the barn to view the river, you may want to do it when you have finished consuming all your apple products as there was a serious bee issue today. Otherwise, its a beautiful view of the river. Also, although they sell apple products and maple syrup inside the barn, none appear to be made on-​site. Which is fine but I’m usually more impressed by homemade products.
One of the employees mentioned that apple season was ending soon so definitely try to visit now if the cider mill is on your to-​do list! They only accept cash or check but they do have a ATM out back.

SO STINKING CUTE! D’aw.
Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I will elaborate some on my previous statement. Dexter cider mill is my new love for local cider mills in the area. Sure, it’s the latest (& greatest) I visited and the grass is always greener. and all that, but this cider mill truly is a special one.
We visited here last season (fall ’13) on an unseasonably sunny and warm day, and it made for the perfect setting to stand in line for their glorious apple liquid and take in the charm of this mill. I speak of this line which was of respectable size and of the snaking kind, but it moved rapidly. Once you get closer to the entrance you will understand why, it is because this mill is a well-​oiled machine. The staff is as efficient and buzzing as many of the bees that swarm outside, and around this place. Speaking of which, unless you are highly allergic (and what are you doing here, then?) please just leave them be. They are friendly and docile and a lot smaller than you are.
The floors of this beautiful Michigan red building are hardwood, creaky and crooked. Inside you will find locally sourced snacks and goodies such as jams, pre-​made cake mixes, honey and cookies. The creamed honey with cinnamon is delicious and worth every of the 12 dollars I paid for it. The cider during our visit was sweet with a nice, tart undertone. It was refreshing and delicious. The donuts are soft and fluffy with a crispy outside, which in my book means perfection.
Maybe the funnest part here is the pie-​hauling thingamajingy. You know. A little whatchamacallit basket attached to a rope which lifts up fresh baked goods through a hole in the floor. Did I mention it was cute in here, already?
Between the antique barn feeling and look of this building, the gorgeous river scene out back with its beautiful, colorful trees the Dexter cider mill makes for a great family stop and a wonderful backdrop for iPhoneographists and Instagrammers alike.

There was a huge line when we came on a Saturday afternoon! It made me excited to experience what I understand to be a quintessential Midwestern fall activity: cider and donuts. They have plain donuts and cinnamon sugar donuts, and I opted for the former so I could taste the pure batter unmasked by cinnamon sugar, a flavor of course everyone knows is good. There’s nothing to dislike about deep fried dough, though I wasn’t sure if I could actually taste any apple flavor infused in the donut, or if my senses were in general overloaded with apple-​ness in the air around Dexter Cider Mill. I also for the first time tried real apple cider, which I would describe as a more concentrated and fizzy version of apple juice. So sweet and potent that I could only sip it in small doses, so I used much of it in apple-​y baked goods later on.
The line weaves through the store shelves, which hold products including mustard, BBQ sauce, maple syrup, and pickled vegetables. I couldn’t help but pick up a jar of stone-​ground dijon mustard for $ 3.75, which I don’t think is terribly more expensive than one would find in the normal grocery store. In addition, they also had free wine tasting in the room next to the shop. Random, but I’ll take it. They generously had pretzels to cleanse the palate in between tastings, plus If one tried the dessert wine one got a piece of chocolate to pair with it.
Given the crowd, parking was surprisingly not a problem, and the line actually moved decently fast. I don’t know how the quality of the donuts compares with others, but it seems like Dexter Cider Mill has all the traits of a proper cider and donut producer so I would recommend it to anyone who has not done this traditional fall activity.

When I tell my out of state friends about going to a Cider Mill, they stare at me like deer in the headlights. How can anyone not LOVE fall when sipping on freshly pressed cider and munching a toasty warm cinnamon donut?
The Dexter Cider Mill brings back memories of elementary school field trips, only better! You can drink all the cider and eat all the donuts you want because you’re a big kid now!!!
I loved sitting by the river and talking with other people who are drawn back here every year to the rite of summer’s passage. The store is well stocked with all sorts of tempting treats. I found the staff to be pleasant and helpful.
Be sure to be on the hungry side because you know that first sip of a half gallon of fresh cider and a half dozen donuts are something none of us mortals can resist!

Gems like this are what make Fall in Michigan my favorite time of year.
This place is adorable. Every time I’ve been here, the father-​daughter duo have been working, talking to regulars they see every year, etc.
Frequently, the line extends through the parking lot, all the way to the street. They are friendly, and efficient, but you will still wait about 25 – 30 minutes. We went there this past weekend, the line was just barely out of the building, and it took us about 20 minutes to get through.
I don’t even like sweets, but could easily eat three of these donuts in one sitting. They are so tasty! The cider is great early in the season, before it gets super sweet.
The bees were out of control when we were there this year. So, if you’re allergic, either send someone else to get your donuts, or bring your epipen!