This article is sponsored by Franklin Cider Mill.
It's officially fall, and as Michiganders we know what that means, cider and donuts! Where do you like to go to indulge in this fall favorite? Well, for many metro Detroiters their cider mill of choice is the Franklin Cider Mill, a place that has been a part of the community for generations.
The mill was first built in the 1930s and was a grist mill, grinding up locally grown wheat and corn into flour. You can still see the old water wheel that used to power the mill today. In the early 1900s, after a flood damaged the mill, the McKee family turned it into a cider mill. They introduced their German-inspired cinnamon donuts which are crispy on the outside with a soft, warm inside. In 1966 the Peltz family took over the mill and are still operating it today.
But the mill isn't just a tradition for the Peltz family, it's a tradition for many families in the area. Several people we talked to had been coming to the mill since they were children, and are now bringing their children or even their grandchildren to the mill today. One thing they all remember are the many ducks that flock to the mill as well.
"The ducks only come when the cider mill opens," said Laura Peltz, the co-owner of the mill. They even sell duck food for you to feed them.
What keeps the people coming back, however, is the cider and donuts. They do things a bit differently than other local mills. Their cider, for example, is made using local apples from across the state. Since they do not own their own orchard, they are able to pick the freshest varieties to make their cider. They also make a special limited run of Honey Crisp cider where they only use Honey Crisp apples to make it. Their donuts stand out as well. They only offer one style of donut, and it is spiced with cinnamon and deep-fried so it gets a crispy exterior and keeps a soft, warm interior.
They also have many other baked goods as well locally made goods like jars of honey and condiments, as well as a "you pick" apple section with a selection of the apples from local growers.
If you would like to try out Franklin Cider Mill, they are located at 7450 Franklin Rd. in Bloomfield Hills. For more information, visit their website at franklincidermill.com.