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Knaus Berry Farm is Home of Florida’s Best Cinnamon Rolls

Last Updated on February 21, 2024

Have you ever been to Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead? If your travels bring you to South Florida, put this on your places to visit or revisit list.

Knaus Berry Farm Cinnamon Rolls

It’s always a happy day when our favorite Florida citrus, fruit, and vegetable farms/stands are open. Most are open seasonally (i.e., Fall, Winter and early Spring).

Visiting Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead

Knaus Berry Farm Wall

We’re putting a spotlight on Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead, home of the best cinnamon rolls in the state.

When does Knaus Berry Farm open?

Knaus Berry Farm Cinnamon Rolls
Source: Yelp

This location is typically open every November through mid-April, during the Redland farming season in Miami-Dade County.

Strawberries from Knaus Berry Farms

The crew at this location is always busy planting strawberry seeds in early October. But, you don’t have to wait until the strawberries are ripe and ready for picking in order to enjoy the farm.

Photo of Knaus Berry Farm Counter

Drum roll, please …. Can we please just talk about Knaus Berry Farm’s cinnamon rolls for a moment? There’s seriously nothing better than hot, fresh cinnamon rolls. The Knaus Berry Farm ones are legendary.

Things To Know When Visiting the Farm

Cinnamon Rolls
Source: Knaus Berry Farm
  • The rolls can be frozen for up to 6 months. As long as the rolls are well-wrapped, they avoid freezer burn.
  • Be sure to bring cash with you. The farm does not take credit cards.
  • Pet-Friendly Destination – You can bring your dog(s) with you since the farm is a pet-friendly destination.
Knaus Berry Farm Counter
Source: Yelp
  • You can find more than cinnamon rolls. – While they are famous for their cinnamon rolls, they have a variety of treats. You can find treats such as key lime pie, pecan rolls, and freezer jams. You can see their menu online for pricing.
  • It gets busy. – Lines can get very long at the farm. It is important that you get there early and give yourself some time to wait before picking up what you want.
  • There are separate lines for each thing. – You will wait in different lines for bakery, milkshake/ice cream, and produce.
Photo of Knaus Berry Farm Exterior

Hours of Operation:

  • 8:00 am – 5:30 pm, Monday – Saturday
  • Shakes: 8:00 am – 5:15 pm
  • U-Pick 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday-Friday *U-Pick is only available when the produce is ripe.
  • Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, December 26th, and New Year’s Day.

Knaus Berry Farm Address: 15980 SW 248th St, Homestead, FL 33031

The History of Knaus Berry Farm

Photo credit: Knaus Berry Farm

In 1924, Jess and Harley Knaus, two brothers from Missouri, ventured to Miami, drawn by the construction opportunities during the city’s initial boom.

Their journey took a turn when the devastating hurricane of 1926 struck, prompting them to return to their agricultural roots. They started cultivating vegetables on an 80-acre farm near the present-day Homestead Air Reserve Base.

A decade later, in 1934, their farm’s success allowed them to construct two identical two-story houses, not far from the current location of Knaus Berry Farm.

This farm would later be nurtured by Jess’s sons, Russell and Ray, who spent their childhood in those very homes, laying the foundation for what Knaus Berry Farm is today.

Photo of Strawberries

In 1942 (with the Germans blowing up shipping off the Florida coast), the Knaus’s decided they were too close to the war front and moved back to Missouri.

Vintage Velma Harvest
Source: Knaus Berry Farm

Around 1954, Russell decided to return to the family farmlands in Florida. He began raising strawberries and did well enough that Ray joined him in 1956.

They set up a small roadside stand just a couple of houses (one of the houses built by Jess and Harley) east of the current Knaus Berry Farm location to sell their strawberries.

Vintage Knaus Girls
Source: Knaus Berry Farm

Some of the strawberries were sold through a broker who commented to Barbara, Ray’s wife, that their cookies were good enough to sell. Hence, the idea of a bakery was born.

Strawberry in a field
Source: Knaus Berry Farm

Over the years, along with the strawberries, assorted baked goods, vegetables, and ice cream have become a part of Knaus Berry Farm … also U-Pick strawberries and tomatoes, availability permitting.

This farm has been at its current location since 1959.

Sadly, in February 2023, Rachel Knaus, who was running Knaus Berry Farm with her sister, died tragically. Rachel was 66 years old at the time.

To learn more about this Florida treasure, visit http://www.knausberryfarm.com/.

Make Knaus Berry Farm-Inspired Cinnamon Rolls at Home

Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead cinnamon rolls

Dough Ingredients

  • Active dry yeast = 1 package (1/4 oz) 
  • Warm water = 1/2 cup 
  • Milk = 1/2 cup 
  • Granulated sugar = 1/4 cup 
  • Unsalted butter (melted) = 1/3 cup 
  • Salt = 1 teaspoon 
  • Eggs = 2 large 
  • All-purpose flour = 4 cups 

Filling Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter (softened) = 1/2 cup 
  • Brown sugar = 1 cup 
  • Ground cinnamon = 2 tablespoons

Glaze Ingredients

  • Powdered sugar = 2 cups 
  • Milk = 1/4 cup 
  • Vanilla extract = 1 teaspoon 

Step-by-Step Process to Make Knaus Berry Farm-Inspired Cinnamon Rolls

  1. Mix yeast in warm water; wait 5 mins until it’s foamy.
  2. Combine yeast mix, milk, sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs; blend.
  3. Add flour, and knead to smooth dough. Rise for 1 hour until doubled.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Roll dough to a 1/4 inch rectangle on a floured surface.
  6. Spread butter, sprinkle brown sugar, and cinnamon evenly on the dough.
  7. Roll dough tightly, and slice into 12-15 pieces.
  8. Place slices in a greased pan, space slightly.
  9. Bake for 20-25 mins until golden brown and cooked.
  10. Whisk sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze.
  11. Drizzle glaze on warm rolls after baking.
  12. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Buy fresh products for the dough.
  • Use a lot of cinnamon sugar.
  • Let the dough sit. It should be soft.

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