The Great Big Wonder

I’ve eaten an absurd number of donuts in my 24 years of life. Growing up I begged my father to get donuts on the way to school. I insisted on having the stir-sticks from a donut shop that no longer exists. (Stir-sticks were essentially old-fashioned donuts in stick form). 

My love of Donuts hasn’t faltered since childhood, in fact; I’ve come to love them even more. Donuts are a pivotal part of my happiness in life. A form of sweet bread and frosting you can eat for breakfast or dessert? SIGN ME UP! 

Before we can properly start this post it’s my duty to share some donut facts.

1. There are many types of donuts on the donut tree, but the yeast and cake donuts make up the big branches.

2. Cake donuts are made using a cake-like batter. They tend to be a bit crispy and dense and are usually leavened with baking soda or powder. A few types of donuts fall into this category like old-fashioned donuts and cider donuts.  These donuts usually feel heavy in the hand.

3. A yeast donut sometimes referred to as a ‘raised donut‘ are made with a lighter and more airy dough due to the use of yeast as a leavening agent. Yeast donuts are fluffy and light, and typically less crumby than cake donuts.

So here is my go-to list, of my favorite donuts across the country.

Donut Man, Glendora CA – The Strawberry Donut

Since 1972 Donut Man has been satisfying everyone’s donut needs in the San Gabriel Valley. Growing up I was never a big fan of Donut Man, and I still won’t get a regular donut there, I will, however, treat myself to the delicious and almost sinful Strawberry Donut. The Strawberry donut features a glazed yeast donut stuffed with a staggering number of fresh strawberries bathed in a sweet signature glaze. When it’s strawberry season the line wraps around the building to get this donut, so be ready to wait. This monstrosity is big enough to share. Open 24 Hours.

Glam Doll Donuts, MN – ‘Pucker Up‘ 

I’m slightly obsessed with Glam Doll Donuts. This retro 50’s themed donut shop has two gorgeous locations and a menu full of tasty donuts, beers, and savory treats! The Pucker Up Donut from Glam Doll is a beautiful French cruller topped with lemon cream cheese frosting and a vanilla lemon drizzle. A cruller is a donut made from a dough similar to that of a choux pastry dough. Despite its name, the Pucker Up is not tart, but instead offers a perfect balance between fresh tangy lemon and savory cream cheese. The frosting was plentiful, and a refreshing treat after a long walk around the city. The tang of the lemon made my donut eating adventure feel a little more healthy than sugary sweet.

Also pictured is the vegan Chocolate Starlet donut. A yeast donut with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. A great pick if you are more inclined to like the simpler side of donuts.

Hugs and Donuts, Houston TX – ‘Birthday Cake’

The Birthday Cake donut at Hugs & Donuts in Houston, TX, is creative and delicious. I got it because cake sprinkled on cake? HECK YES! The Birthday Cake Donut is a cake donut topped with house-made chocolate frosting and then sprinkled with Funfetti cake to finish. During the weekend they offer vegan options, a total bonus for those who brave that path. The donut shop was cute and quaint, and these were just ever so tasty.

Holy Donut ME – Maple Bacon

So I may or may not have snuck this one by with my family. These donuts are not only fresh, innovative, and tasty, but they are made with potatoes! That’s right, the world’s most versatile food just got…more versatile. The donuts at the Holy Donut are made with Maine potatoes and other fresh ingredients. The pink donut pictured is the Triple Berry Donut, the sweetness of the frosting mixed with the gentle tartness of the fresh berries made for a perfect breakfast treat. The real star of the show though was the maple bacon. The maple bacon is lovingly dunked into a delicious and perfect maple glaze and then sprinkled with a handful of bacon bits. I DEVOURED this donut. If you‘re ever in Maine please stop by one of their three locations and send me a maple bacon donut, I will love you forever.

Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans  LA – “Beignets

A New Orleans classic. Honestly, if you are in NOLA you have to drop by Cafe Du Monde. At Cafe Du Monde wade past other tourists and grab a table, a server will come to you. I don’t know how they track it, but they do. One order of beignets comes with three larger than you expect beignets, so you can probably share. These suckers came out hot and covered in half a bag of powdered sugar. Don’t wear black on a trip to the cafe, you’ll regret it. As you chow down on your French pastry donut, take in the fact that the original stand in the French Quarter has been there since 1862.

Donut Friend, Los Angeles CA – The Strawberry So Far

Obsessed. I’m obsessed with Donut Friend. This cute little donut shop in Highland Park is home to delicious vegan donuts. I’ve had many donuts from Donut Friend. But none that I love more than The Strawberry So Far. This is a yeast donut topped with homemade strawberries & cream frosting and a fresh strawberry. This donut is sweet without being overly sugary. Some honorable mentions from Donut Friend are the Poppy-Ghandi and Nutella-Vision. This donut shop favorite of mine allows guests to create their own donuts so if you don’t see anything you like, create away! 

SLO Donut Co, San Luis Obispo CA – The Galaxy Donut

Anytime I‘m in Pismo Beach with my friends we make a trip up to The SLO Donut Co. for donuts. This college student stuffed donut shop offers a wide variety of donuts for breakfast and beyond. I’ve never had a donut that’s disappointed me from here, but I do have a favorite. The Galaxy donut is a yeast donut topped with marshmallow-based frosting and edible glitter. My mouth was blue after eating it but it was so worth it. They have a lot of events, live music, and board games at this donut shop. 

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So let me know. Where do you love to get donuts from? Did your favorite place make the list? Where should I head next?

Post Updated in August 2022