So since my 30’s I’ve had a bit of an “issue” let’s say with milk…anybody else? I’ve heard of A2 milk and the lactose free milk but really didn’t know too much about it – and that they could potentially allow me to have my cake AND MY MILK without any “issues”. Well my friend Casey – the owner of Batter Up Bakery in Leesburg, OH, was about to give me all my answers! And how?
She showed me this face. Yeah – I was pretty much in like Flynn at that point! I mean look at him!!!! This is Rosco – and I got to meet him the day after he was born!!!
What’s the Best Bakery near Cincinnati?
They also do amazing cakes! And since it’s the season for cakes (graduations & weddings are in abundance) – they did a cake tasting. $5 and you could taste all the cake you wanted! They had four specialty cakes, a wall of 9 different flavors of sheet cakes with 11 different fillings and frostings to try. That Triple Chocolate you see above was pretty much the best cake I’ve ever tasted!
In addition to wedding, party and graduation cakes – they have some creative bunnies that can make about anything you want. Someone wanted a smash cake for their baby’s birthday — and they wanted it to look like a cheese coney. Boom. Done.
So what does that have to do with A2 milk? Well Casey (the owner of Batter Up) read a story about Swallow Hill Jersey Dairy in Jamestown, OH and the possibility they were going to close. And she – and a bunch of other people – didn’t want that to happen! She went out and met with them and loved their products so much she started carrying them in her bakery. Now – not even six months later – they’re going like gangbusters and even introducing new products (Strawberry Milk!).
What is A2 Milk?
This is Larry – he and his son run the dairy and he showed us around and did a great job of telling us lots of info. They have six milking stalls and the cows just mosey in and get some food and the milking is done. Swallow Hill Dairy can milk all 48 cows in just over an hour! Pretty crazy!
What is the difference in low-heat and high-heat pasteurization?
At Swallow Hill they do a low-heat pasteurization. This keeps more of the good stuff in the milk! Low-heat pasteurization kills off the harmful bacteria – but allows the milk to retain a high percentage of the milk’s natural enzymes and beneficial bacteria. Whereas high heat pasteurization pretty much kills all the bacteria: the good and the bad.
Why is milk homogenized?
Each of the adult cows at Swallow Hill Dairy has one baby a year. The babies are kept in these big kennels for their safety and this allows them to be monitored very closely. Rosco is inside the kennel – but Lincoln is his guardian. He’s so sweet – he’s been guarding the calves for years. He won’t leave their side! Awwww!
I also got to meet Lavender – a beautiful girl that was born a couple weeks ago. She was getting friendly with Timber. The calves were a little too nervous to touch – but they were adorable. They’re about 50 pounds when they’re born and so cute!
Timber kind of liked me too. He was ADORABLE and we played a lot! All the while – Larry was giving us the tour – Timber was leaving his toy at my feet – daring me to pick it up and throw it.
If you’re interested in trying the amazing A2 milk from Swallow Hill Jersey Dairy – you can find them in rural Jamestown. They have a self serve milk shed where you can get a wide variety of products from milk (white, chocolate and strawberry) to yogurt and Artisano cheeses (I got some!). Sometimes they also have eggs and beef from their farm as well.
Oh and if you’re wondering – the cows eat grass and non-GMO feed as well. There are also no hormones added to their products.
And don’t forget to head over to Batter Up Bakery for some donuts and fritters and long johns and cake and everything else!!!! (They also sell Swallow Hill milk too!) Last summer, Batter Up Bakery even made my Mom’s cobbler! Be sure to tell Casey you heard about them from the Food Hussy! Oooh they also teach classes on cake decorating and stuff like that! And pick me up some of that cake too while you’re there. 🙂
Anonymous says
Good pictures and story.
Sounds like a good place to try out.
FoodHussy says
Thanks – I hope you'll stop by and try both!
Jennifer says
Visiting this bakery is on my list. Some day I'm going to make it. So glad you had a fun day trip!
ssjmommy says
It sounds like a fun day! Good things to know and some great products to purchase. Thanks!