Destination: Donut
The popular sugary, dessert-y breakfast treats are taking over, and we think they’re worth hitting the road.
Glazed or frosted? Yeast or cake? Sprinkled or powdered? These are just some of the big questions to ask yourself when searching for the perfect pastry. Luckily, when you’re on the hunt for the best of the best, we think it’s OK to have a bite of them all. Over the past few years, as donuts have filled our stomachs and hearts, their popularity has baked into a full-blown obsession. We’ve rounded up a few of the shops worth the travel to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The Donut Trail (Butler County, Ohio)
Move over, Bourbon Trail, there’s a new trail in town, and this one is for all ages. The Donut Trail, located in Butler County, Ohio (just north of Cincinnati), traverses past 12 donut shops spread across 80 miles in multiple towns. If you want to complete the entire trail in one day, it’ll take roughly three and a half hours. Each shop has its own twist on the classics, as well as unconventional takes like s’mores, Fruity Pebbles, maple bacon, apple cider and more. Learn more about the donut trail and all the bakeries it includes, and *donut* forget to print out your official passport before you conquer the trail. You can earn a free T-shirt if you send in a completed passport (and the shirts are updated every year)!
Boston
Boston has always held a special place for these tasty treats; in fact, Dunkin’ Donuts, which boasts more than 11,000 sugar-filled retail shops, was founded in the city in 1950. A few of the best places worth visiting include Union Square Donuts in Somerville, home to unique offerings like brown-butter hazelnut crunch and berry pistachio, and Blackbird Doughnuts, which offers flavors like lemon honey yogurt and cold brew coconut. More than just donuts, these shops offer works of delicious art.
Portland (Oregon and Maine)
Home to the ultimate cult donut shop, Voodoo Doughnut, Portland is a hotbed for donut shops. If you go, try the iconic Voodoo Doll with raspberry jelly, chocolate frosting and a pretzel stick piercing the donut doll’s heart. On the other coast, The Holy Donut is a unique shop that incorporates Maine potatoes into every delicious donut on the highly original menu. Owner Leigh Kellis offers flavors like maple, coffee brandy and a bacon- and cheddar-filled donut.
Hungry now? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know about your favorite donut shop!