Most people think “Krispy Kreme” when they think donut. The sugary glazed trademark donuts are everyone’s go-to when it comes to sweet breakfast treats. Today, however, donuts are much more than glazed, chocolate, or sprinkles.
Across the nation, donut lovers can rejoice over these creative treats. We’ve collected the best (and craziest) designer donuts that put typical breakfast foods to shame and will make you kiss your boring glazed donut days goodbye.
1. The Maple Bacon Donut at Broma Bakery
Photo courtesy of bromabakery.com
Pretty much every designer donut shop has some variation of this savory sweet delight –as if you needed one more reason to eat bacon all day long.
2. The Chocolate Lover’s Donut at Glazed and Infused
Photo courtesy of Glazed and Infused
This is the donut that you devour at 10 am despite knowing it’s definitely a dessert food, rather than breakfast. It’s just too good to turn down. From brownie batter to German chocolate cake, the glories of chocolate are easily transferred into “breakfast,” aka morning dessert.
3. The S’mores Donut at Macaron Parlour
Photo courtesy of newyork.seriouseats.com
Skip the campfire struggles, and the wannabe s’mores frappes. You’re much better off biting into (or making yourself) a chocolate-frosted-marshmallow-topped donut with graham cracker sprinkles for breakfast, like this one by the Macaron Parlour.
4. The Cannoli Donut at Stew Leonard’s
Courtesy of Andrea Bedoya
This donut is proudly brought to you by the bakers of Stew Leonard’s. (For those of you who don’t know, Stew Leonard’s is the world’s largest dairy store –think Wawa meets Trader Joe’s and add a singing cow). This creamy cannoli donut is worth all of the potential cavities. Chocolate chips + cannoli custard = the greatest upgrade to breakfast since the waffle iron.
5. The Better-than-Boston-Cream Donut at United By Blue
Photo courtesy of pennappetite.com
Wasn’t it Picasso who famously said, “Everything you can imagine is real”? Obviously the tortured artist must have been referring to these Better-than-Boston-Cream donuts. This sweet treat proves that you can truly replace cream with (almost) anything and it will still be delicious. Fillings range from Dulce de Leche, to Nutella, and even to burger.
6. The Mojito Donut at Crooked Confections
Photo courtesy of the Drunkin Donut Co.
…Or actually just a donut with an alcoholic twist that lets you drink at 8 am without feeling like you’ve given up on life. Who can say no to a boozy breakfast?
7. The Purple Goat Donut at Glazed Gourmet
Photo courtesy of glazedgourmet.com
Woah is right. Stuffed with berry goat cheese filling and topped with a lavender glaze, this savory-sweet combo is beautiful in all the right ways.
8. The Cereal Donut at Goodies by Dani
Photo Courtesy of goodiesbydani.com
Donuts + cereal is a fantastic combination, especially when it comes to sprinkling Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, or Lucky Charms (marshmallows only, obviously) on top. Since cereal is a widely accepted breakfast food, then cereal donuts should be too… right?
9. The Green Tea Donut at The General
Photo courtesy of The Daily Meal
While it’s safe to say you won’t reap the healthy benefits of green tea from this mouthwatering treat, you’ll certainly get a mouthful of flavor. If you can cough up $11, you’ll be able to taste this decadent donut that is accompanied by green tea mascarpone cream and a lemon honeycomb.
10. The Memphis Mafia Fritter at Voodoo Doughnut
Photo courtesy of rantfood.com
This massive donut combines all the best flavors in one. The glazed base is stuffed with chunks of banana and cinnamon and topped with chocolate frosting, peanut butter, peanuts, and chocolate chips. Walk, do not run, folks.
11. The Chorizo Cheddar Donut at Fonuts
Photo courtesy of consumingla.com
Topping off the list is a savory donut creation with a license to kill. Although this L.A. bakery’s claim to fame is putting a healthier spin on the donut by baking or steaming the dough, rather than frying it, it’s clear that this particular flavor won’t be doing your health any good. If you’ve got a hankering for something salty, gooey, and substantial, this is the donut for you.