Doughnuts are more than just fluffy little pillows of dough doused in sugar. OK, that is all they are, but they are still the best thing to happen to humankind. These Edmonton bakeries and restaurants whip up the best doughnuts in the land.
You might know these doughnut connoisseurs as Heritage Baked Goods, their former moniker. If you’re not familiar with their mouth-watering baked doughnuts, now is the time to change that. Some of their doughnuts are gluten-free, some are egg and dairy free, some are free of all three, and all are delicious. They sell them in packs at farmers’ markets around the city, keeping demand high throughout the year. Flavours like hibiscus and gimme gimme s’more keep the people happy.
The doughnuts at this German bakery are delicious little circles of joy, coated in chocolate, sugar or icing. Located on the busy Whyte Avenue strip, it’s easy to miss this bakery among the hundreds of other businesses if you aren’t looking carefully. But it’s worth finding, for when you do, there will be luscious pastries, baked to golden perfection, waiting for you.
A healthy doughnut may be an oxymoron but Hazeldean Bakery certainly tries to make it a possibility. They cut down on the sugar and fat, and don’t use hydrogenated shortening in any of their bread or pastries. But, somehow, their doughnuts still turn out fluffy, golden and delicious. Their glazed doughnuts are tasty, even without the excess sugar. Be warned: this small shop often runs out of doughnuts by mid-afternoon, so go early to get the best selection.
Take Five makes everything from scratch, including their delectable doughnuts. Located in the Beverly Heights neighbourhood, this coffee shop and café is a little shabby on the outside but full of personality. Plus, the doughnuts bring in people from all over the city, so that’s saying something! The doughnuts are very reasonably priced, and the flavours are fun — dulce de leche, chocolate dip with whipped cream filling, and black forest are some popular choices.
These doughnuts are deep fried decadence slathered in brightly coloured icing made from scratch. Owner Mandy started whipping up these vegan doughnuts in her doughnut kitchen in Devon, Alberta, after she and her husband became vegans in 2012. She makes them with organic, unbleached wheat flour, real fruit and lots of love. You’ll find them at farmers’ markets and at Whimsical Cake Bakery in Edmonton. They come in vanilla and chocolate varieties and are infused with flavours, such as Earl Grey latte.
The adorable Jewish couple that run Bliss Baked Goods really, really want you to like their doughnuts. They basically live to make kosher, vegan doughnuts that please the people. And they’ve succeeded. Their cinnamon and sugar doughnuts were named one of Avenue magazine’s 25 Best Things to Eat in 2013. Sourdough yeast doughnuts without icing may not sound or look fancy, but they taste awesome, and that’s what counts. Plus, they are nut-free!
Chef Najah whips up so many amazing gluten-free goodies at her bakery, but it’s the mini doughnuts that draw my attention. The little balls of joy are gluten-free and can be made vegan upon request. They come in vanilla or sugar-coated but why choose? Just order both – they come in batches of 12. But, they’re mini. So eating 24 mini doughnuts is like eating 12 regular doughnuts right? That’s not terrible, right? Right?!