March 19, 2024

Local bakery celebrates five-year anniversary

Bun in the Oven strengthens its ties with community

Five years after Bun in the Oven opened its doors in Newton, owner Dalene Ogden feels the community’s support more than ever.

Freshly made cupcakes, Dutch letter bars and brownies are among the many aromas that can be enjoyed when stepping in the door at 108 W. Third St. S.

Ogden, of Tama, grew up in a home that offered her many cooking opportunities.

“I come from a large family,” she said. “There are 11 of us, and I’m the baby.”

One family cuisine she has carried on to her professional world is Indian tacos.

“I make those sometimes, mostly on bike night,” she said.

Ogden noted that’s what makes her bakery so unique — she never knows what she will whip up next, there is no set menu when it comes to lunch.

With the weather getting cooler, soup options will be in abundance with cheddar broccoli, cream of mushroom, tomato, ham vegetable, (also known as poor man’s soup), chicken wild rice, mushroom wild rice and chili.

Even with the endless possibilities, Ogden’s daughter Ashley said people mostly request her mom’s meatloaf.

“I like helping my mom when I can,” Ashley said. “All my friends love her because I usually end up with a lot of leftovers.”

Ogden is a mother of six, three boys and three girls.

When the bakery opened, she started selling handmade baby items, which become increasingly popular as the holidays approach.

Another thing she prides herself in is her prices.

“I’m affordable,” she said.

A lot of Ogden’s success comes from contributing at fundraisers and catering.

She enjoys making food from a variety of heritages — German, French, Italian, Dutch, etc.

Ogden said she gets her business’s name out there when she holds fundraisers every year, one that she is famous for is the Skiff Medical Center bake sale, which took place Friday.

Ogden set up Halloween goodies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“I like seeing the patients’ smiles as they pass by,” she said.

Ogden is at Skiff twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, all the proceeds go to the United Way of Jasper County. In addition, she can be found at the Family Video Lymphoma fundraiser and the Jasper County Animal Rescue League fundraiser.

Ogden said her favorite part of having a business in Newton is the “small town” feel.

“I like my customers. They’re all really nice,” she said. “I love meeting new people.”

Bun in the Oven’s hours are 9 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For those interested in small catering events or bakery prices, call 641-521-8205.

Contact Kayla Langmaid
at 641-792-3121 ext. 6513
or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com