The new Rise biscuit and donut shop in Carrboro has been getting a great flurry of business and support from students and Chapel Hill locals. We got the chance to try all 15 of their current donuts, some of which get switched out every month.
After a sugar-filled tasting session and tough deliberation, here’s what we thought:
15. Chocolate Icing
This vanilla yeast donut topped with chocolate icing is a classic. It didn’t exceed, but it also didn’t fall short of expectations.
Photo by Sara Tane
14. Sprinkles with Vanilla Icing
Vanilla lovers rejoice – Rise hits the sweetness and flavor of vanilla perfectly with this icing. If you love funfetti cupcakes, you’re bound to love this one.
Photo by Sara Tane
13. Raspberry Jelly
These yeast donuts are stuffed with raspberry jelly and tossed in granulated sugar. I’m not usually a fan of jelly donuts, but these converted me.
Photo by Sara Tane
12. S’mores
Smothered in chocolate and gooey toasted marshmallows and topped with graham crackers, this is actually a summer night disguised as a donut. It’s really sweet, so if you don’t have a massive sweet tooth it might be overkill.
Photo by Sara Tane
11. Caramel Peanut Long John
Chewy with some crunch from the peanuts and sweetness from the caramel icing, this donut has a good combo of flavors that don’t overpower the integrity of dough.
Photo by Sara Tane
10. Cheerwine Glazed
If you love North Carolina, raise your hand. Good, now go get this donut.
Photo by Sara Tane
9. The Salty Cap’n
This one’s for all the homies who prefer salty over sweet. If you are that friend that notoriously hogs the salt shaker, you will think this donut is a gift from heaven. The caramel icing, sea salt flakes, and crisp candied Cap’n Crunch will satisfy all your sweet and salty cravings.
Photo by Sara Tane
8. Glazed
The sugary glaze complements the dough, which isn’t too sweet. This is a melt-in-your-mouth donut, and it’s everything a glazed should be.
Photo by Sara Tane
7. Nutella with Hazelnuts
With Nutella icing and shaved hazelnuts, this donut boasts rich chocolate flavor and notes of coffee, making it one of Rise’s best sellers.
Photo by Sara Tane
6. Apple Fritter
Can I get a hell yeah for fried dough stuffed with chopped apples and cinnamon? This donut is essentially a fried apple pie – every American’s dream.
Photo by Sara Tane
5. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Pecans
This cake donut is sliced in half, sandwiching cream cheese frosting between two gloriously glazed layers of fried donut. Yes, there are carrots in the dough and yes, that also means it also fills your veggie quota for the day. #EatClean
Photo by Sara Tane
4. Maple Bacon Bar
This chewy donut has a smear of maple glaze and A PIECE OF BACON on top. ‘Nuff said.
Photo by Sara Tane
3. Chocolate Chocolate
This donut earned itself a spot in the top 3 by being the best dang chocolate donut in the game. It’s a cake donut so it has a crispy crust, and it’s known for attracting chocoholics from a mile away.
Photo by Sara Tane
2. Old Fashioned with Lemon Icing
If you think old fashioned means boring, you better check yourself before you walk into Rise. This cake donut has killer texture with a super crunchy outside, and a firm and sweet crumby inside. The lemon icing adds depth of flavor without overpowering the donut itself. This is also co-owner Rick Robinson’s favorite.
Photo by Sara Tane
1. Crème Brûlée
A fluffy yeast donut filled with cream, this sucker is topped with powdered sugar and then torched until it gets a thick, crackled top. Your first bite is sure to elicit a moan and a few people nearby saying, “I’ll have what (s)he’s having,” earning it the number one spot.
Photo by Sara Tane
For an up-to-date list of the donuts Rise is currently serving, check here!