The Region’s Best Doughnuts

With all of the food fads that come and go, from cupcakes to Keto, a delicious doughnut never goes out of style. Sure, it may not be the healthiest choice, but a good doughnut brings a smile to anyone’s face. From traditional styles to funky elaborate creations, doughnuts run the full gamut. For this article, we’re out to explore some of the region’s best doughnuts. 

Dixie Donuts

In my hometown of Norwich, Connecticut, you can’t mention “doughnuts” without the word “Dixie” in front. These beauties are of good size and full of the sweet taste that doughnut lovers crave. The flavors come in basic doughnut options such as glazed, chocolate frosted, and sprinkles. The cake is pillowy soft on the inside but substantially crunchy on the outside, with the final result being an all-around superb doughnut. 

Guilty Bakery

If Dixie errs on the side of tradition, Guilty Bakery in Plymouth, Massachusetts, leans toward the crazy. Think bacon, S’more’s, or lemonade flavors. Whatever you get here will be absolutely amazing though. Surprisingly, I think the traditional glazed may be my favorite just because the dough is so good. I like the creative creations too since the same dough is used in all their doughnuts. The doughnuts are only available on Saturday mornings and when they’re gone, they’re gone. 

Federal Donuts

Often heralded as the best donut shop in Philadelphia, Federal Donuts features the best of both worlds with a variety of classic, as well as creative flavors. I enjoyed one of each during my visit. The blueberry lemon was made on the spot. It was warm and delicious with the flavor profile of both shining through. As a true test, the cinnamon sugar ranked among the best since a basic flavor is easier to measure a doughnut’s true worth. 

Beiler’s Doughnuts

For me, Beiler’s Doughnuts are truly among my favorites of the genre. Located inside the Reading Terminal Market food emporium, these Amish classics are truly delectable. There are many items you should try at the market, among them soft pretzels, pork sandwiches, and cannoli, but to me, Beiler’s is also a must. My favorites here include crowd-pleasers such as chocolate frosted, cinnamon sugar, and dream creme. The dough is simply superb which is the backbone for each of these tasty treats. Combine that with ingredients such as chocolate, creme, and cinnamon, and this is a winning dozen. Beiler’s is certainly one of the region’s best doughnuts. 

The Apple Cider Doughnut Five

Some of my favorite doughnuts are of the apple cider variety. Check these five out!

Stack Shack

Plymouth’s Stack Shack is a wonderful warm weather paradise. Located on the waterfront in the back of the Cordage Park factory, the Stack Shack is a food truck and pop-up beer garden/bar in the shadow of the stories tall smokestack, the last remaining remnant from a former building on the site. During the fall, their apple cider doughnuts are some of the best. Sweet and doughy, these will satisfy your autumnal sweet tooth. 

Elliot Farm

For more of the region’s best apple cider doughnuts, head to Elliot Farm in Lakeville, Massachusetts. Grab some pumpkins and fresh produce along with a few apple cider doughnuts. These are really tasty with the apple cider flavor permeating through. 

Hornstra Farm

At Backyard Road Trips, we’ve been fans of Hornstra Farms in Norwell, Massachusetts, for a long time. Watch these being made at the farm store and purchase homemade ice cream and milk. These apple cider beauties are smaller in size making them perfect for popping in your mouth without feeling too guilty or too full afterward. 

The Big Apple

The Big Apple farm is one of the most popular farms southwest of Boston, with apples for sale or for picking, along with other seasonal autumn goodies. When I’m here though, I brave the crowds for their apple cider doughnuts. Sweet with that apple cider twang, enjoy eating them outside overlooking the scenic orchard. These babies aren’t covered in sugar like many of the others but are just as good.

Averill Farm

We’re starting and finishing our tour of the region’s best doughnuts in Connecticut. I have liked Averill Farm for their apples for years. This time we are heading to the farm store for their cider doughnuts. Sweet from the cider, these doughnuts will not disappoint. 

Whether in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Philadelphia, these are the region’s best doughnuts. From apple cider doughnuts to classic doughnut shop varieties to creative and crazy flavors, you’ll enjoy doughnuts at each of these recommended bakeries and farm stands.